2002 Law Enforcement Awards
2002 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year
Andrew S. Knaub
Police Officer
Newberry Township Police Department
Andrew S. Knaub is a 20 year veteran with the Newberry Township Police Department where he is currently assigned as a patrol officer.
Officer Knaub served in the United States Army Military Police where he held the rank of Sergeant (E5). Officer Knaub's Law Enforcement experience includes serving with the Conewago Township Police Department and the Manchester Borough Police Department.
In addition to his duties as patrol officer, Officer Knaub handles accident investigations and is a child safety seat restraint system specialist. Officer Knaub is a member of the Lewisberry and Newberry Fire Companies, FOP Lodge #73, the West Shore Police Association, Hawks Gun Club, Victory Athletic Association and the Sinnamahony Sportsman Association.
As a police officer, you are called to situations that are tragic; you see the worst side of things. Rarely do you know why someone is angry or depressed. You don't often have the opportunity to ask the questions that may give you a better way of dealing with a person's problem. A situation may require you to make a split-second decision that could affect not only the individual, but also his or her whole family.
On March 19, 2002 Officer Andrew Knaub was dispatched to an address on Reeser Hill Rd., for the report of a man threatening suicide. Officer Knaub was working the night shift alone, and did not have immediate backup. When he arrived at the home, he was faced with a man wielding a hunting knife. As Officer Knaub talked to the man, the subject continued to tell Knaub "he would kill himself." The man's spouse was present and continued to plead with him to put the knife down. Officer Knaub's repeated requests to drop the knife were ignored by the man, who said "he wanted to die". As the man walked toward Officer Knaub, he plunged the knife into his own chest. The man pulled the knife from his chest, and continued to walk toward Officer Knaub, saying the officer would have to kill him. Officer Knaub drew his gun and repeatedly ordered the man to put the knife down, but the man continued advancing. Officer Knaub used pepper spray on the advancing man. The pepper spray worked quickly, and the man fell to the ground, allowing Officer Knaub to disarm him.
Officer Knaub attended to the man's injuries, and escorted him to the waiting ambulance for transport to the hospital where he eventually recovered from his injuries. Officer Knaub would only learn later from the man's family members why he had attempted to take his own life.
Just two weeks prior to the March 19th incident Officer Knaub was called to a residence in Newberry Township for a toddler that had stopped breathing. Officer Knaub arrived, located the child and began CPR on the two-year-old. When medical personnel arrived, the child was placed in the ambulance, and Officer Knaub drove the ambulance, allowing EMS personnel to continue their efforts en route to the hospital. Despite their efforts, the child died.
It was this child's grandfather who two weeks later, overwhelmed with grief and depression, attempted to take his own life with a hunting knife, placing Officer Knaub in incredible personal danger.
Sergeant Snyder of Newberry Township Police Department in nominating Officer Knaub said; "I thought about these events and wondered how awful it would have been for this family to endure the death of a child and then followed by the death of his grandparent two weeks later. Andy is my co-worker, highly respected by his fellow officers and the community, he is a devoted husband and father, I am very proud to call him my friend."
Officer Knaub's actions saved the life of one man, while protecting an entire family and community from suffering even a greater tragedy.
Nominated by: John C. Snyder, Sergeant, Newberry Township Police Department
2002 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Nominee
James C. Childs, III
Chief of Police
Southern Regional Police Department
Chief James C. Childs III has been employed by the Southern Regional Police Department for five years.
Chief Childs has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Davis Elkins College, and has attended Delaware County Police Academy, Pennsylvania Chief Command Institute, and Penn State Posit, Polex, and Advanced Polex.
Chief Childs experience includes Delaware City Park Police as a criminal Investigator, a patrol officer with Darby Police, Dillsburg Police and was a Patrol Officer, Sergeant, & Chief of Lower Windsor Township Police Department.
Chief Childs has received a number of law enforcement awards and citations, including the American Federation Of Police Silver Star For Bravery , a Commendation from the Darby Borough Police, a Commendation from the Delaware County Police, a Commendation from the Lower Windsor Township Police, PA Chiefs of Police Juvenile Officer of the Year, South Central Officer of the Year, and Dillsburg Jaycees Officer of the Year.
In addition to his duties as Chief with the Southern Regional Police Department, Chief Childs works as a K-9 officer, D.A.R.E. officer, and works with the York County Drug Task Force. Chief Childs is a member of the Rose Fire Co. # 1 of New Freedom, the New Freedom Lions Club, the Free & Accepted Masons Lodge 423, and St. John The Baptist Catholic Church.
Chief Childs is a very progressive chief, who is constantly making an effort to improve the quality of the police department and the community it serves. He spends many hours, both on and off duty, helping with community projects and public safety issues. Jim is very active in the New Freedom Fire Department, having been the Fire Chief for many years. He works with Emergency Management groups and helps to coordinate efforts between local organizations.
Chief Childs is equally involved with youth in his community, by setting up programs that may help keep the young people out of trouble, by getting them involved in sports and other alternative activities. He coaches basketball for the school's ninth grade team, and teaches the D.A.R.E. program to both elementary and middle school students.
Chief Childs handles the daily administrative functions of the department, as well as answering calls for service or filling a manpower shortage on a shift. Jim has his own police dog he trains and works on explosive detection skills, and supervises the two additional officers and their dogs.
Nominated by: James S. Boddington, Lieutenant, Southern Regional Police Department
2002 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Nominee
Alan Clarkson
Police Officer
York City Police Department
Alan Clarkson a has served as a police officer for 12 years with the York City Police Department.
Officer Clarkson has received a number of law enforcement awards and citations, including one Recognition of Achievement in 1996, three Recognition of Achievements in 1997, one Recognition of Achievement in 1998, one Commissioner's Commendation in 1999, two Commissioner's Commendations in 2001, and a Commendation from Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General as a member of the Attorney General's Municipal Drug Task Force.
In addition to his duties as patrol officer, Officer Clarkson is a NRA certified Firearms Instructor, an officer of the Fraternal Order of Police and a motorcycle patrol officer.
During the past year Officer Clarkson has demonstrated an outstanding devotion to his duties. Officer Clarkson has been assigned as a permanent downtown beat cop for the past couple of years. Upon receiving the assignment, he quickly rallied the support of the business community. He has served as a very special liaison between merchants, downtown workers, and the York City Police Department. His maturity and his sound judgment have afforded him the respect and devotion of citizens and police officers. During 2002 Officer Clarkson has single-handedly done more to gain the support of his community than any other officer or division with the police department.
Officer Clarkson has tackled a very wide variety of complex problems. He's dealt with quality of life issues such as loitering, drunken and disorderly persons, persons who are mentally ill, vagrants, and parking problems, to name a few. He has made himself accessible to his constituents. As a result, he has been called upon repeatedly to address issues involving the new courthouse, Strand Capitol Building, and has come to the aid of the Downtown Ambassadors.
He has assisted the York County Sheriffs Department and the District Attorney's Office throughout the year with the Grand Jury investigating the 1969 race riot cases. He is active in bringing strong relationships between organizations and the York City Police Department.
Officer Clarkson also has been an officer in the Fraternal Order of Police White Rose Lodge #15. As an officer he has a unique ability to see both sides of an issue and try to do what is best for the officer while balancing that against what is best for the York City Police Department. He has spoken to the community during the last year and made them aware of unique situations that police officers find themselves in today when attempting to enforce laws. This information has helped the community at large better understand police and gain policing more support from the community at large.
Nominated by: David J. Arnold, Captain, York City Police Department
