2004 Law Enforcement Awards
Award of Valor
Jeffrey L. Rineer
Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police
Jeffrey L. Rineer has served for 9 years with the Pennsylvania State Police. He is currently a Trooper - Criminal Investigation.
On September 16, 2004, Trooper Rineer was participating in a softball tournament at Veteran's Memorial Park in the City of York. In the parking lot, Rineer observed an assault in which a male subject threw a female to the ground and ripped off her shirt. Trooper Rineer intervened and prevented further injury to the victim. The suspect fled, saying, "this isn't over, I'm going to get a gun."
While Rineer was providing aid to the victim, the suspect returned and attempted to strike Rineer with his vehicle. The suspect exited the vehicle and approached Rineer with his hand in the waistband of his pants, making threatening statements toward Rineer.
The suspect then headed towards a group of people. Rineer determined that it was probable that the suspect had a concealed weapon, and took the suspect to the ground, restraining him.
The suspect then pulled a knife from his waistband, and tried to stab Rineer. After a brief struggle, Rineer gained control of the suspect and disarmed him, and held him unti the arrival of the York City Police Department.
Trooper Rineer showed courage in spite of the possibility of personal injury, and took actions to protect others while off-duty and unarmed. His display of courage and duty exemplify the Award of Valor.
Nominated by: Lieutenant Patrick B. Gebhart, Troop H, York - Pennsylvania State Police
2004 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year
Dana C. Ward, Jr.
Detective
York City Police Department
Dana Ward was hired by the York City Police Department in August of 1991. Ward served as a patrol officer, and was promoted to Detective in May of 1996. He is currently a Detective in the sex crimes and child abuse unit and also serves as a Counter Sniper for the York County Quick Response Team. Ward is married and has two children.
Detective Ward has an Associates Degree from Hocking Technical College. Ward served two years active duty in the United States Army and six years in the Ohio and Pennsylvania National Guard. Prior to joining the York City Police Department, Ward served as a Park Ranger for Lancaster County Parks.
Detective Ward has received six Letters of Commendation, and was named the department's Police Officer of the Year for 2004.
Ward has shown a commitment to his community both on duty and off duty.
Ward has served as former Boy Scout leader, and is a member of the York County Child Death Review Team and a member of the Child Advocacy Center.
During 2004, Detective Ward was assigned 133 cases. Each case takes approximately three months to complete. Thirty arrests were made in the area of child abuse and sex crimes, resulting in 120 felony offenses charged against the suspects. The suspects received an average of 15-30 years in state correctional institutions.
Detective Ward's clearance rate for assigned cases is 90%, the highest in the unit. Ward's conviction rate topped 99%, above the unit's average of 97%.
Detective Ward serves on board of the Children Advocacy Center. When completed, this facility will be the local hub used by county child abuse investigators and will house specialized physicians who can conduct on-site examinations.
Detective Ward also trains advocates at the Victim Assistance Center.
Detective Ward also serves on the York County Quick Response Team as a counter/sniper, and has utilized his personal funds to enhance his equipment and abilities, directly affecting the safety of the team.
Detective Ward has proven his abilities to cooperate with other law enforcement agencies and civilian agencies, and has shown he is a capable and willing officer who has continued to handle complex and stressful cases.
Nominated by: Captain David Arnold, York City Police Department
2004 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Nominee
Chad R. Eyler
Wildlife Conservation Officer
Pennsylvania Game Commission
Chad R. Eyler has served for 4 years with the Pennsylvania Game Commission. He is currently a Wildlife Conservation Officer in southwestern York County.
Eyler graduated from West York Area High School, and graduated from York College of Pennsylvania in 1996 with a B.S. in Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement.
Eyler served as a Park Ranger II for the Department of Conservation & Natural Resources from 1998 to 2001 and as a Deputy Waterways Conservation Officer for the PA Fish & Boat Commission from 1997 to 2001.
WCO Eyler was nominated for the Wildlife Conservation Officer of the Year Award for the Conservation Law Enforcement Chief's Association in 2004 and the Wage Employee of the Year Award at Pinchot State Park in 1999.
WCO Eyler provides programs on wildlife, conservation and wildlife law enforcement, provides Hunter/Trapper Education courses to certify students to hunt in Pennsylvania, and assisted in raising funds to place a sign in an "Important Bird Area" at Kiwanis Lake in York City and educating the public of the area's importance.
Eyler graduated in the 26th class from the Ross Leffler School of Conservation and was assigned to District 6-67-2, York County where he is still assigned. His 290 square mile district includes York City and Hanover.
WCO Eyler has a very active law enforcement program within his district, and is one of the leaders in the numbers of warning and prosecutions within the region and the state. Officer Eyler assists local police departments in investigations.
WCO Eyler has developed numerous training plans and has published them to compact disc so other officers can use his programs to train deputies, instructors and new employees. These include programs on waterfowl identification, waterfowl forensics, and the history of the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
WCO Eyler has studied waterfowl forensics and time of death, and has gone beyond information available to pick up where past studies have left off to develop new information. Officer Eyler attended a waterfowl enforcement class by the Ohio Fish and Wildlife Service and instructed part of the course on waterfowl forensics. Eyler asked to be assigned to go to the Atlantic Flyway Counsel's Wing Bee at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Refuge in Laurel, Maryland to reinforce his knowledge of waterfowl identification.
WCO Eyler conducted 18 Hunter/Trapper Education courses in his district in 2004 and certified 608 students.
WCO Eyler is thoughtful and thorough in all he does. His attitude, manners, conduct and personal appearance are outstanding and bring credit to the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
Nominated by: Charles J. Lincoln, Law Enforcement Supervisor, Southeast Region, Pennsylvania Game Commission
2004 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Nominee
Michael S. Miller
Patrolman First Class
Southern Regional Police Department
Michael S. Miller was hired by the Southern Regional Police Department on May 15, 2000. He is currently a Patrolman First Class. In addition to his duties as a patrolman, Miller serves as a bicycle officer, a juvenile officer and a youth aid officer. Officer Miller is married.
Officer Miller served in the United States Navy, and received the Captain's Letter of Commendation, Captain's Citation for Superior Performance, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Medal and the Sea Service Award Ribbon.
Officer Miller has received two Chief's Letters, three Commendation Awards, a Meritorious Conduct Medal, a Community Service Medal, a Certificate of Merit, and was nominated for Juvenile Officer of the Year. Officer Miller is an active member of the Rose Fire Company of New Freedom for over ten years.
On April 27, 2003, Officer Miller volunteered to become the department's bicycle officer. On May 1, 2003 Officer Miller completed the necessary training at Harrisburg Area Community College and starting bicycle patrols in addition to his normal patrol duties. Miller has used bicycle patrol as an opportunity to build bridges with community members both young and old. Miller has made bicycle patrol a year-round position.
Miller also works as the department's juvenile officer, and works with the Juvenile Youth Aid Panels that serve southern York County. Miller has worked with many juveniles in the community to help get their lives back on track. This year, Officer Miller appeared in a book authored by the students of Friendship Elementary School titled "Those Who Make a Difference."
Officer Miller is in charge of various projects such as station yours and the department's Ride Along program, which allows high school students to shadow Miller during his day.
Officer Miller positive attitude demonstrates the ability to achieve in everything he does, and shows concern for professional improvement.
Nominated by: Chief James C. Childs, III, Southern Regional Police Department
