Police Heritage Museum York, Pennsylvania

York County Drug Task Force

The York County Drug Task Force was created in 1987 as a law enforcement tool to help fight the war on drugs. The task force was established to aid and assist York County Police Departments in conducting narcotics investigations within their respective jurisdictions. The York County Drug Task Force is a collaborative effort and partnership between the York County District Attorney's Office, York County Chiefs of Police, and York City Police Department.

The York County Drug Task Force consists of experienced narcotics investigators and an experienced narcotics prosecutor who can provide advice and guidance in narcotics investigations as needed. Additionally, when called upon, the York County Drug Task Force attempts to assist other police departments in supplying manpower to the requesting department by utilizing experienced York County Drug Task Force officers.

Currently there are thirteen departments with assigned drug task force members, including vice and narcotics troopers from the Pennsylvania State Police. The York County Drug Task Force has developed a close working relationship with both the US Marshalls and the FBI, with each agency having an agent who operates out of the York County Drug Task Force office.

In 2009, the York County Drug Task Force was responsible for 652 felony drug arrests and 385 misdemeanor drug arrests. These arrests resulted in $146,249 in heroin, $285,300 in cocaine, and $292,622 in marihuana being taken off the streets of York County. It is because of the expertise, hard work and dedication of the York County Drug Task Force officers that the York County community is a safer place to live.

The award was accepted on behalf of the York County Drug Task Force by Senior Deputy Prosecutor Karen Comery from the York County District Attorney's Office.

Bryan Rehm

Bryan Rehm is a resident of Dover Township. He is currently employed as a teacher with the Conewago Valley School District in New Oxford.

Mr. Rehm was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and is a graduate of the Central Dauphin East High School. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Physics from Lebanon Valley College and a Master's Degree in Education from Immaculate University. Mr. Rehm is married, and has four children.

On October 17, 2009 at 3:15 p.m., a 72 year-old female was walking in the parking lot at the West Manchester Mall with her disabled son holding onto her right arm when a subject grabbed the purse from her left arm and ran across the parking lot.

Mr. Rehm was also in the parking lot, and heard the victim scream. He observed the male subject running from the victim carrying a purse. Mr. Rehm pursued the subject, who attempted to strike Mr. Rehm in the head with the purse. Mr. Rehm was albe to subdue the subject, holding him in a "bear hug" until the arrival of police.

The victim was uninjured but extremely shaken, and her purse was recovered intact. The subject was charged with one count each of robbery, theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property.

These actions were taken by Mr. Rehm at great personal risk, as he was unaware if the subject was armed, assuming the subject was desperate and should be considered dangerous.

Had it not been for the actions of Mr. Rehm, an arrest of a suspect and the recovery of the stolen purse may never have happened.

Nominated by Chief Arthur D. Smith, Jr., West Manchester Township Police Department

Matthew T. Miller
Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officer
Pennsylvania Game Commission

Deputy Miller is a four year veteran of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. He is currently assigned to District 6-67-2 in southwestern York County.

Deputy Miller was born in York. He is a graduate of Dallastown Area High School. He has attended the Community College of the Air Force and the University of Maryland University College. He is currently enrolled in the State University of New York's Emergency Management Program. Deputy Miller is married.

Deputy Miller is the recipient of:

• Three Air Force Achievement medals
• Two Outstanding Unit Awards
• The Air Force Good Conduct medal
• The Overseas Short Tour ribbon
• The National Defense ribbon
• The Small Arms Expert ribbon
• The Squadron Airman of the Quarter award, 8th Civil Engineering Squadron, Kunsan Air Base South Korea
• The Squadron Airman of the Year award, 8th Civil Engineering Squadron, Kunsan Air Base South Korea

Deputy Miller was a nominee for Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officer of the Year for 2009, and is the recipient of a Citation from the Bureau of Wildlife Protection, Pennsylvania Game Commission for work on a major felony case in 2009.

In 2009, Deputy Miller worked 700 hours. Miller is part of the Commission's Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officer corps, a group of officers that must pay for their own firearms, vehicles, gas, and other miscellaneous items to perform their job. Miller is provided with work clothing, and is paid $65.00 for each eight hours he worked for approximately three months, and volunteering his time for the vast majority of the year.

Deputy Miller maintains an excellent law enforcement program within the district, producing approximately seventy prosecutions each year, and issuing double that amount of warnings each year. Miller has taken the time and opportunities to expand his knowledge of courtroom procedure. Miller filed approximately seventy citations in 2009, and did not lose a hearing in court. Miller was the officer in charge or assisting officer in the majority of major cases in the 6-67-2 district in 2009, including twenty-five major big game violations.

Deputy Miller's most influential case in 2009 spanned ten months from violation to conviction. Miller received information on several white-tailed deer that were illegally killed. Miller pursued the case with vigor, eventually locating two suspects. Both suspects were felons not to possess firearms and both were on probation. One subject agreed to a plea bargain resulting in four thousand dollars in fines. The second subject, who had a twenty-three page criminal history record including assault, burglary and drug charges, refused to plea bargain. Miller's extensive compilation of information resulted in the defendant being found guilty by a jury and sentenced to five to ten years in state prison.

Deputy Miller was also involved in two major cases of illegal killing of deer in 2009 involving eight suspects. These cases resulted in thousands of dollars in fines, and included two-thousand four-hundred dollars in restitution for one doe being ordered by the court. This was the first restitution award for white-tailed deer ever pursued in York County Court under a replacement cost schedule passed by the Board of Game Commissioners in April 2009. These cases received major media attention due to their close proximity to the regular firearms deer season.

Deputy Miller has developed a reliable web of informants that assist not only in his district, but conveys information from other districts. Miller not only provides services to his district, but on several occasions has responded to calls in other districts when no other officer was on duty.

Deputy Miller also spends many hours working on the York New Salem Game Lands. This area has many problems unique to the area including drug trafficking and prostitution. In the past this area was severely abused due to a lack of enforcement in the area. Miller is a constant presence in the area, and legitimate users appreciate his efforts.

Deputy Miller has become so proficient at the forensic aspect of conservation law enforcement that he is the forensic deputy wildlife conservation officer for the district and transports the appropriate equipment.

Deputy Miller lives the Pennsylvania Game Commission. He has dedicated his life to the agency. Whatever needs done in the district or for the Pennsylvania Game Commission, or for any officer, Miller does it.

Nominated by Wildlife Conservation Officer Chad R. Eyler

Adam M. Bruckhart
Police Officer
West Manchester Township Police Department

Officer Bruckhart is 23 month veteran of the West Manchester Township Police Department. He is currently assigned as a patrol officer.

Officer Bruckhart was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and is a graduate of Manheim Central High School. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Millersville University and a Master of Business Administration Degree from Temple university. Officer Bruckhart is married to Lauren.

Officer Bruckhart is the recipient of academic and driving awards from the 93rd Municipal Police Academy at Harrisburg Area Community College, an Award of Achievement and Life Saving Award from the West Manchester Township Police Department, and a citation from the House of Representatives.

Officer Bruckhart was one of hundreds of applicants in the Metropolitan York Police Testing Consortium in 2008, ranking in the top ten applicants for the West Manchester Township Police Department. Bruckhart was hired by the West Manchester Township Police Department, and graduated the 93rd Police Academy on May 30, 2008.

In 2009, Officer Bruckhart ranked first in the department among all patrol officers in the following areas: traffic contacts - 545; DUI arrests - 51, which represented 25 percent of the department's total DUI arrests; felony arrests - 15; summary non-traffic citations - 100; and warrant services - 34. He ranked second in the department with 70 misdemeanor arrests and third in the department with 34 drug arrests. He ranked second in the department with 752 calls taken, 224 of which were self initiated.

On June 19, 2009, Officer Bruckhart was dispatched to a call fro an attempted suicide by overdose. Upon arrival, he found the subject unresponsive and not breathing. Bruckhart provided emergency care and restored the subject's breathing. The subject was transported to a hospital and is alive today in part due to Bruckhart's intervention.

In July and August of 2009, the department received a multitude of vandalism complaints resulting in thousands of dollars of damage to vehicles. Bruckhart stopped a vehicle fitting the description of an involved vehicle and recovered a knife and an air soft gun. These items would prove valuable as most of the reported crimes were tire slashings and paint balls being shot at vehicles. Working with other officers, nine charges were filed against two suspects which ended the spree of vandalisms.

In his short career, Officer Bruckhart has established himself as an outstanding police officer believing in providing the community with the best service he can offer. Through his efforts, Officer Bruckhart makes the community a better and safer place for all people. He truly represents the best that our profession has to offer.

Nominated by Chief Arthur D. Smith, Jr.

Bryn Lindenmuth
Patrol Officer
Southwestern Regional Police Department

Officer Lindenmuth is a five-year veteran of the Southwestern Regional Police Department. He is currently assigned as a patrol officer. He also serves with the York County Drug Task Force and is an off-road motorcycle rider.

Officer Lindenmuth was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and is a graduate of the Northern Lehigh High School. Lindenmuth has an Associate in Arts Degree from Northhampton Community College and a Bachelor of Arts degree from York College. Lindenmuth is married to Kalina, an elementary school teacher, and they are expecting a child.

Officer Lindenmuth is the recipient of his department's Officer of the Quarter for the first quarter of 2009, and is the 2009 Hanover Exchange Club Police Officer of the Year. He is an avid hunter and Harley-Davidson rider.

Officer Lindenmuth has consistently made numerous contributions to his department in the last five years. But his abilities as a crime fighter are what set him apart. In 2009, he was responsible for nearly 500 traffic contacts and 90 separate criminal charges.

Officer Lindenmuth is trained to use the department's off-road Suzuki motorcycle, and has used it for details to uncover lost persons in wooded areas. He has also used the motorcycle to surprise criminals who realize, too late, that the police can go off-road. A DUI and a separate heroin arrest are a direct result of his off-road prowess.

Last year, Officer Lindenmuth showed self initiation in attending training in Maryland on detecting drug impaired drivers. Detecting drug impaired drivers is more difficult than detecting alcohol impaired motorists. Realizing this, Lindenmuth prepared himself to deal with this new trend. He has shared this information with others and is responsible for an additional 30 drug impaired arrests in the past year that would have otherwise gone undetected.

The thing that powers Officer Lindenmuth in his duties is his love for his job, concern for his community, and knowing that doing the right thing every day is still the right thing to do. He is an easy choice to nominate for this award.

Nominated by Chief Gregory M. Bean

Blake D. McBride
Police Officer
York City Police Department

Officer McBride is a twenty-two year veteran of the York City Police Department. He is currently assigned as a patrol officer.

Officer McBride is married and has two daughters. He is the recipient of his department's 2009 Police Officer of the year.

Officer McBride worked as a Community Police Officer in the downtown business district in 2009. McBride developed relationships with business owners, residents, service organizations and government agencies to identify problems and solutions for the downtown area.

Officer McBride's responsibilities included traditional law enforcement functions and non-traditional problem solving. McBride organized surveillance details in response to a rash of burglaries and GPS thefts from vehicles. After a suspect was identified, McBride conducted follow-up investigations and filed three burglary charges. McBride observed videotape of the theft suspect, and later recognized and apprehended the suspect. The suspect was turned over to detectives, who cleared many theft from vehicle cases. McBride issued 103 parking tickets, 66 traffic citations, 15 non-traffic citations, made 9 felony and misdemeanor arrests, served 20 warrants, issued 59 faulty equipment cards and answered 665 emergency calls.

Officer McBride used his relationships with downtown stakeholders to help solve other problems. Yorkrail replaced an aging crossing gate that frequently malfunctioned and disrupted traffic. The Sheriff's Department's prisoner work detail cleaned trash and graffiti from the College Avenue bridge. City Council passed an ordinance to address cars stopping in crosswalks. The Crime Response Unit assisted with security for the York Revolution opening day, First Fridays and Strand-Capitol events.

Officer McBride sits on two Downtown Inc. committees that focus on safety and security issues and attended a seminar on Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design.

Officer McBride shows exemplary dedication to duty and service to the community.

Nominated by Sergeant Steven Butler

Ronald Stiles
Patrol Officer
Carroll Township Police Department

Officer Stiles is a seven year veteran of the Carroll Township Police Department. He is currently assigned as a patrol officer and a DARE instructor. Stiles previously served over 25 years with the Latimore Township-York Springs Borough Police Department in Adams County.

Officer Stiles was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and is a graduate of the John Harris High School in Harrisburg. Stiles is single.

Officer Stiles is a veteran of the Viet Nam War and retired after serving twenty years with the Pennsylvania National Guard.

Officer Ronald Stiles has been a member of the Carroll Township Police Department since 2003 and during this time he has given 100% to the department and the community that he serves. Officer Stiles has been a police officer for almost 30 years. Before joining the Carroll Township Police Department Officer Stiles served with the Latimore Township-York Springs Borough Police Department in Adams County, where he taught DARE and was the Departments Officer-in-charge until his retirement. Officer Stiles now teaches DARE to 6th grade students at the Northern York County Middle School for the Carroll Township Police Department.

Officer Stiles represents what a police officer is and should be. Officer Stiles is known throughout the area as a caring, compassionate and respectful police officer. Younger residents see Officer Stiles as the police officer that is someone's grandfather. It is not uncommon to see Officer Stiles getting a hug from a child who he has helped resolve a problem, or a person on the street, regardless if he has arrested them or not, will shake his hand and tell him that he has helped them and now they are doing fine. When a child is sick or injured and the police are summoned, Officer Stiles always ready to aid and comfort that child.

Officer Stiles volunteers his time to give tours of the police department to Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts in order for them to attain their merit badges. Officer Stiles gives safety talks to school aged children from area day care centers as well as the Northern School District Elementary Schools. He is also active with the Flying Angles, a non-profit group that makes dreams comes true for terminally ill children.

Officer Stiles is quick to offer assistance not only to the public, but also to his fellow police officers, with whom he proudly serves. There is no one act that can define the actions of Officer Stiles, but after 30 years of service, he will still tell people with a big smile "I am a cop".

Nominated by Sergeant David Smith