Police officers honored for heroic actions
7 get commendations for aid in saving lives, delivering baby
MONTGOMERY TWP » 2019 was a busy year for the Montgomery Township Police Department, and seven of the department’s officers have been honored for going above and beyond during that year.
The township’s supervisors and police Chief Scott
Bendig recognized those officers with official commendations thanking them for their actions, including a squad of four that saved a life last November.
“It is my honor to recognize seven members of our department for their exceptional professionalism in the line of duty,” Bendig said.
An individual commendation was presented to Ofc. Craig Scully, who responded to the L.A. Fitness on Horsham Road on Oct. 22 of 2019 to a reported medical emergency, and was told when he arrived that a patient had passed out while using an elliptical machine.
“Upon arrival, bystanders on the scene believed the patient had suffered a seizure and was now unresponsive. Officer Scully assessed the patient and immediately started cardiopulmonary resuscitation and rescue breathing,” Bendig said.
Scully continued caring for the patient until Volunteer Medical Service Corps of Lansdale paramedics arrived, and a defibrillator was then used to deliver two shocks to the patient. The patient was stabilized, taken to Abington-Lansdale Hospital, and has since recovered, according to the chief.
“As a direct result of your immediate lifesaving actions, the life of this individual was saved. Your professionalism and actions are in the highest tradition of the Montgomery Township Police Department,” Bendig said.
Another individual commendation was presented to Ofc. Andrew Bouch, for his actions when responding to a report of a suspicious person trying to open fraudulent accounts and purchase devices at the AT&T Wireless store on Bethlehem Pike on May 21, 2019.
“Upon arrival, Officer Bouch observed a dark-colored minivan occupied by three individuals parked in a vacant lot behind AT&T. Due to his experience and training, he knew this would be a common tactic used by individuals in the commission of a crime,” Bendig said.
Bouch notified other officers of his findings, went into the store to investigate, and learned from the store manager that a subject in the store was known to the company’s asset pro
tection department for using fraudulent documents to make large purchases. Bouch contacted the subject, who provided a false ID, and the subject was then taken into custody, Bendig told the board.
“Further investigation revealed that the individuals in the minivan were co-conspirators and were in possession of 24 fictitious identification cards, utilized to complete similar fraudulent transactions,” he said.
Analysis of a computer seized during the arrest later resulted in locating the personal info of 16 more victims
that would have been used by the individuals in further fraudulent transactions, according to the chief.
“As a result of your quick response and noteworthy observations, these individuals are now awaiting trial,” he said.
A squad commendation for lifesaving action was presented to Sgt. Thomas Ward and Ofc. David Dunlap, Ofc. Brian Gerrard and Ofc. Michael Jenkins, for their work together on Nov. 13, 2019 responding to a medical call. According to Bendig, Dunlap was dispatched for a medical call on Dylan Drive and was advised that a patient was not breathing and that the caller was starting CPR.
“Upon arrival, Officer Dunlap met the caller, who led him upstairs. Officer Dunlap found the patient unresponsive, lying in bed,” Bendig said.
The patient was moved to the floor, where Dunlap and Gerrard began CPR and rescue breathing until Ward and Jenkins arrived and took over. The four then used a defibrillator to shock the patient, and officers and VMSC paramedics continued CPR.
“A pulse was detected, and the patient began breathing on his own. The patient was then transported to Doylestown Hospital for further treatment, and has since recovered. As a direct result of your immediate lifesaving actions, the life of this individual was saved,” said Bendig.
And Ofc. Anthony Shearer earned a commendation for an action Bendig said he had never seen “in my 30some years” with the department — “pretty awesome, to say the least.”
On Nov. 19 of 2019, Shearer was dispatched to a medical call on Andrew
Lane, where a caller reported his wife was in the last trimester of her pregnancy and experiencing contractions.
“Upon arrival, Officer Shearer assessed the patient’s condition, and recognized that he would need to assist in childbirth,” Bendig said.
Shearer donned his personal protective equipment, gave instructions to the patient to help her control her pain and breathing, and successfully delivered a baby girl, then gave extra care to make sure the child’s airway was clear.
“Upon the arrival of medical personnel, the child and her mother were transported to Doylestown Hospital for further treatment. As a result of your quick response and swift actions, mother and daughter are doing well today,” Bendig said.
The three individual officers and the squad of four all received commendations from the board of supervision, and posed for sociallydistant photos in lieu of the traditional handshakes.
“Congratulations to you all. It’s really exciting to have you here — and great work,” said board Chairwoman Tanya Bamford.