2006 Law Enforcement Awards
Award of Valor
Gary D. S. Utter
Patrolman
Springettsbury Township Police Department
Patrolman Utter is a five-year veteran of the Springettsbury Township Police Department. He is currently assigned to Patrol Platoon A. Patrolman Utter previously served with the Stewartstown Borough Police Department.
Patrolman Utter was born in Key West, Florida, and is a graduate of the Western Maryland College in Westminster, Maryland. He served in the United States Army from 1992 until 1996 where he obtained the rank of Captain. Patrolman Utter is married with two children.
Patrolman Utter has received several Letters of Commendation, the Chief's Commendation, and the Award of Valor.
On Wednesday, January 25, 2006, Patrolman Utter was dispatched to the 3700 block of East Market Street for a reported structure fire. Patrolman Utter was the first to arrive on the scene, prior to the arrival of the Fire Department.
Patrolman Utter advised other responding units that the building was fully engulfed in flames. Aware that there was an apartment on the top floor of the building, Patrolman Utter located the apartment door at the rear of the building, which was open. Patrolman Utter ascended the stairs to the second floor, encountering heavy smoke conditions.
Patrolman Utter called out, asking if anyone was in the apartment. A female voice answered, stating she was in the apartment and on the floor. With smoke banked down to within six inches of the floor, Patrolman Utter entered the apartment, calling to the female to crawl towards his voice. Patrolman Utter located the female in the apartment and discovered she was unable to walk. Patrolman Utter carried the female out of the building to safety prior to the arrival of the Fire Department.
Nominated by: Chief David C. Eshbach, Springettsbury Township Police Department
2006 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year
Craig B. Fenstermacher
Corporal
Pennsylvania State Police
Corporal Fenstermacher is a 24-year veteran of the Pennsylvania State Police. He is currently assigned to the Troop H Vice/Intelligence Unit. He previously served as a Patrol Trooper and Patrol Supervisor. Corporal Fenstermacher previously served with the Elizabethtown Borough and Susquehanna Township Police Departments.
Corporal Fenstermacher was born in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, and is married with two children.
Corporal Fenstermacher is the recipient of several Letters of Commendation.
Corporal Fenstermacher is a coach for youth soccer and baseball programs, and volunteers at his church.
Corporal Fenstermacher has provided guidance and support to York County law enforcement agencies with regard to vice and narcotic investigations. Throughout 2006, Corporal Fenstermacher's unit made 162 felony and 15 misdemeanor arrests. The unit recovered over $48,000 in heroin, over $68,000 in marijuana, and over $970,000 in cocaine. 54 vehicles were confiscated and 19 guns were recovered from the streets of York County.
In June of 2006, Corporal Fenstermacher's unit conducted an undercover investigation into activities at two York area massage parlors. Undercover troopers were solicited for sexual activity, and as a result two arrests were made and $100,000 was forfeited to the York County District Attorney.
In June of 2006, after an undercover investigation, five subjects were arrested for various narcotics charges. In addition, 18 ounces of cocaine and $17,000 in cash was recovered, along with a stolen handgun.
In July of 2006, a vehicle search warrant was served resulting in two drug arrests. During the search, a hidden compartment was found containing 575 grams of crack cocaine.
A second search warrant was served on a vehicle in July of 2006, where another hidden compartment was discovered, containing three kilograms of cocaine and $18,000 in cash.
In December of 2006, an investigation into two massage parlors resulted in two arrests, various seized items, and an illegal alien discovered who was turned over to immigration agents.
These incidents are but a brief snapshot of Corporal Fenstermacher and his unit's year. He is regarded as one of the pre-eminent authorities regarding narcotics, gambling and other vice-related offenses countywide. He is sought out by state and municipal agencies for his expertise and never hesitates to involve his unit when a request for assistance is presented.
Nominated by: Captain Patrick B. Gebhart, Pennsylvania State Police
2006 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Nominee
Scott J. George
Patrolman
Northeastern Regional Police Department
Patrolman George is a five-year veteran of the Northeastern Regional Police Department. He is currently assigned as a patrol officer, and is a member of the York County Forensics Team. Patrolman George previously served with the Northern York County Regional Police Department.
Patrolman George was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh. Patrolman George is single.
Patrolman George is the recipient of several Letters of Commendation from the Chief.
Patrolman George is one of seven officers serving the communities of Mount Wolf, Manchester, and East Manchester Township. In 2006, his department has logged 86 DUI arrests, 56 of which Patrolman George was the arresting officer. Patrolman George maintains a 95% conviction/ARD disposition rate.
These communities are safer due to the efforts of Patrolman George.
Nominated by: Chief Darryl Albright, Northeastern Regional Police Department
2006 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Nominee
Llewellyn Kauffman
Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officer
Pennsylvania Game Commission
Deputy Kauffman is a 24-year veteran of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. He is currently assigned to southeast York County.
Deputy Kauffman was born in Laurel, Pennsylvania and is a graduate of Red Lion Area High School. Deputy Kauffman served in the United States Army, and actively served in Vietnam. Deputy Kauffman is married with two children.
Deputy Kauffman has been nominated for the Southeast Region Deputy of the Year in 2004, 2005 and 2006.
Deputy Kauffman is a member of the Collinsville and Windsor Fish and Game Clubs.
Deputy Kauffman, in addition to working a full-time job, works for the Game Commission as a Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officer, collecting a flat per diem regardless of the length of the workday. Once the district budget has been exhausted, Deputy Kauffman continues to work without pay for the remainder of the year. Deputy Kauffman must also supply his own radios, body armor, fire arm, duty belt, vehicle and gasoline.
Deputy Kauffman is responsible for filing 20 to 25% of all citations filed by the District every year. In 2006, Deputy Kauffman was involved in many cases, including the following:
Three subjects were shooting whatever game they wanted, were shooting across roadways and in safety zones. After identifying the suspects and conducting interviews, the defendants admitted their involvement and pled guilty to all charges.
Deputy Kauffman was assigned to interview his cousin, who had shot a deer while road hunting. Deputy Kauffman's cousin pled guilty to all charges filed.
Deputy Kauffman was assigned to assist a Lancaster County officer that was investigating an unlawful deer kill. Deputy Kauffman interviewed the suspect, and determined that the suspect was innocent, and that the complainants were the actual violators, who eventually pled guilty to the charges filed.
Deputy Kauffman is also involved in the Safety Zone program, the Hunter Trapper Education program, and helps to staff the Commission's booth at the York Outdoor Show.
Deputy Kauffman was also instrumental in the District fielding a four-man and a two-man team at the Commission's Statewide Revolver Championship.
Deputy Kauffman's exceptional attitude, unwavering commitment, steadfast fidelity and sense of duty sets him head and shoulders above all others.
Nominated by: Wildlife Conservation Officer Guy Hansen, Pennsylvania Game Commission
2006 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Nominee
Russell J. Schauer, III
Patrolman
Springettsbury Township Police Department
Patrolman Schauer is a 3-1/2 year veteran of the Springettsbury Township Police Department. Patrolman Schauer is assigned to the patrol division.
Patrolman Schauer was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and is a graduate of Lower Dauphin High School and Harrisburg Area Community College. Patrolman Schauer is engaged.
Patrolman Schauer was the department's 2006 Officer of the Year, and is the recipient of four Chief's Commendations and three Letters of Commendation.
Patrolman Schauer has taken a specific interest and passion for the interdiction of illegal narcotic activity within Springettsbury Township. He made 196 criminal arrests during 2006, most of which were illegal drug related arrests.
In addition to Patrolman Schauer's criminal arrests, he has taken an aggressive approach to traffic enforcement within Springettsbury Township. It is estimated that the population of Springettsbury Township quadruples from its normal 24,000 residents on a daily basis. Because of the high volume of transient traffic, there are numerous traffic accidents and violations that occur within Springettsbury Township. Aware of these facts, Patrolman Schauer took the initiative and made 386 traffic arrests during this calendar year. This has assisted in making the roadways within Springettsbury Township safer for all motorists.
Patrolman Schauer represented the Department at the 25th Annual Pennsylvania Police Olympics in Pittsburgh PA in June. Patrolman Schauer competed in numerous physical fitness, strength, and shooting events in which he captured three gold medals, a silver medal, and one bronze medal in a field of over 200 competitors.
During 2006, Springettsbury Township suffered from a rash of criminal mischief violations. Hundreds of reports were made and taken by members of the Department. Patrolman Schauer took on the task of identifying the actors. He was able to, by using on and off-duty time, develop rapport with numerous residents within the Township, which assisted him in identifying suspects, ultimately leading to arrests and clearances in the majority of these cases.
Based on Patrolman Schauer's performance, work ethic, and dedication, he was awarded the "Officer of the Year" award for the Springettsbury Township Police Department. It wasn't a hard decision for the Awards Selection Committee to select Patrolman Schauer for this award.
Patrolman Schauer has set a new standard for the Springettsbury Township Police Department that has become contagious to other members of the department. This has increased the level of professionalism and knowledge of all of his peers. Patrolman Schauer has become a "go to guy" and has gained a tremendous amount of respect within the department as well as the law enforcement community.
Nominated by: Chief David C. Eshbach, Springettsbury Township Police Department
