Police Heritage Museum York, Pennsylvania

Jeffrey Orwig
Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officer
Pennsylvania Game Commission

Deputy Orwig is a 9-year veteran of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. He is currently assigned to southeastern York County. Orwig is also a Hunter Trapper Education Instructor.

Orwig was born in York, Pennsylvania, and is a graduate of the Red Lion Area High School. Orwig is a veteran of the Army National Guard. Orwig is married to Erika and has one child, Hunter.

Orwig is the recipient of a Lone Ranger Award and a Life Saving Award from the Commission, as well as being nominated as a Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officer of the Year. Orwing was the recipient of a Police Heritage Museum President's Commendation in May of 2008.

On November 28, 2011, Orwig was conducting routine checks during the hunting season in Lower Chanceford Township. Orwig was monitoring a hunter coming down the creek, and crossed a bridge after contacting the hunter to determine which side he was coming out on. As Orwig entered the woods to access the creek bank, a second hunter on the bridge alerted him that the hunter had fallen.

Orwig ran to the creek where he found the hunter lying face down in the water. Orwig pulled the hunter to shore and prepared to administer CPR. Orwig's initial chest compressions resulted in water coming from the hunter's mouth. Orwig rolled the victim to remove water from his mouth. He rolled the victim onto his back and found the victim with shallow breathing.

Orwig had another hunter contact 911. The hunter on the bridge, the victim's 81 year-old father-in-law, advised that the victim felt hot and almost passed out earlier. Orwig began treating the victim for heat stroke and shock. He then coordinated nearby hunters into a team to move the victim to the other side of the creek to deliver him to EMS. The victim was flown to Hershey Medical Center.

Orwig then got hunters to assist in getting the victim's deer to the father-in-law's truck.

The victim, who spent a week in Hershey Medical Center, and his father-in-law, both agree that the victim is alive today thanks to the efforts of Deputy Orwig.

Nominated by Wildlife Conservation Officer Shawn A. Musser

Brian Eastman
Police Officer
York City Police Department

Patrolman Eastman is a four-year veteran of the York City Police Department. He is currently assigned as a patrol officer, and as an entry person on the York County Quick Response Team.

Eastman was born in Orlean, New York, and is a graduate of Red Land High School. He has an Associates Degree from the Pennsylvania College of Technology. Eastman is a ten-year veteran of the United States Marine Corps Reserves, and was twice deployed to Iraq. He is the recipient of the Navy/Marine Achievement Award in 2003 and 2006, a certificate of commendation, two certificates of achievement and a Warrior Award. Eastman is married to Amanda, and has two children, Taylor and Braelyn.

Eastman is the recipient of a Chief's Commendation and a Commissioner's Commendation.

On May 5, 2011, Eastman was off-duty and traveling on Fishing Creek Road in Fairview Township with his family. Eastman observed a vehicle veer off of the roadway and down an embankment. Eastman stopped to render aid, and found an elderly man that was operating the vehicle, and the vehicle on fire. Eastman attempted to get the driver to exit the burning vehicle, and got a confused response from the driver. Eastman spoke with the driver and, as the vehicle fire gained in intensity, coerced the driver to open his door. Eastman pulled the driver from the well-involved burning vehicle, with the driver becoming combative and wanting to return to the vehicle. Eastman had to physically restrain the driver, who continued to attempt to return to the vehicle, until the arrival of EMS.

Nominated by White Rose Lodge #15, Fraternal Order of Police

Timothy P. Clymer
Police Officer
York City Police Department

Officer Clymer is a three-year veteran of the York City Police Department. He is currently assigned as a patrol officer. Clymer previously served as an intern with the Centre County Probation and Parole Department and the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office Bureau of Narcotic Investigation.

Clymer was born in Hackettstown, New Jersey, and is a graduate of the State College Area High School. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Crime, Law & Justice from Pennsylvania State University. Clymer is a member of Saint Joseph's Catholic Church and participates in the department's summer youth bowling program. Clymer is engaged to Molly Ann. Clymer is the son of a retired federal agent.

Clymer is the recipient of a Unit Commander's Commendation, a Chief's Commendation and an award of achievement.

Clymer has developed into an exceptional street patrol officer, and maintains a positive image that reflects the solid hard work, professionalism and dedication that every officer should strive to achieve. Clymer's work ethic can be argued to have produced one of the most successful enforcement years in the history of the department.

During 2011, Clymer has produced 78 misdemeanor arrests and 12 felony arrests, including 19 DUI arrests and 23 drug-related arrests. Clymer handled 1,362 calls in 2011, the most of any officer on any shift. He also produced 302 investigative reports, the most of any officer, 191 traffic citations, and issued 112 faulty equipment cards. Clymer made 90 non-traffic arrests, which is almost double that made by the officer with the second highest number of arrests. Clymer also served 295 warrants, completed 64 accident investigations and made 28 field interview stops.

Clymer used only two sick days in 2011. He displays a positive attitude and is an example to each and every new officer that has been assigned to his shift. He needs little of no supervision and is often heard on the radio providing information to more senior officers.

Nominated by White Rose Lodge #15, Fraternal Order of Police

George B. Ripley
Detective
York City Police Department

Detective Ripley is a 14-year veteran of the York City Police Department. He is currently assigned to the Detective Division. He was previously assigned to patrol, Street Crime Reduction Unit, Quick Response Team and the Major Crimes Squad.

Ripley was born in Woodbury, New Jersey. He is a graduate of York Coillege. Ripley is married to Megan, and has two children, Madison and Molly. Ripley is involved in Zion Lutheran Church.

Ripley is the recipient of a Unit Commander's Citation, numerous Chief's Commendations, an Award of Achievement and is one of the department's 2011 Police Officers of the Year.

Detective Ripley has demonstrated on a daily basis what it means to be a York City Police Officer; integrity, strong work ethic, professionalism, dedication to duty and sacrifice.

Detective Ripley was the primary investigator in three homicides in 2011, all of which resulted in the arrest of suspects, and assisted in four other homicide investigations, all of which resulted in arrests. In addition, Ripley conducted several major robbery investigations in 2011. Most significant was investigating a multi-jurisdictional Latin Kings robbery crew that was conducting a string of robberies. Ripley was able to identify suspects and clear several robberies in York City, as well as provide information to neighboring jurisdictions that led to arrests.

Ripley worked with other officers in investigating a group that was responsible for 20 armed robberies, 4 car jacking and several shootings in and outside of York City. Charges ranged from robbery to homicide.

Ripley goes above and beyond to share information and build relationships with outside agencies, including a strong relationship with Juvenile Probation which was essential with dealing with an upswing in juvenile offender crimes in 2011. Ripley has also made himself the resident "expert" in cell phones and social media, learning how to obtain evidence and the legal requirements to do so.

Detective Ripley is the epitome of what an officer should be.

Nominated by Chief Wesley A. Kahley

Travis A. Sowers
Police Officer
York City Police Department

Officer Sowers is a 13-year veteran of the York City Police Department. He is currently assigned to the Detective Bureau. He previously served as a Neighborhood Enforcement Officer and on the Drug Task Force. He previously served in the Fairview Township Police Department.

Sowers was born in York, and is a graduate of William Penn High School. He attended York College, where he earned a Bachelor's Degree. Sowers served as a US Army medic for three years, and coaches basketball and t-ball. Sowers is married to Aneela, and has two children, Zachary and Joshua.

Sowers is the recipient of a Unit Commander's Citation, Chief's Commendations, an Award of Achievement and is one of the department's 2011 Police Officers of the Year.

In April 2009 Sowers was assigned to the West End Neighborhood Enforcement Unit, whose assignment was the neighborhood around Princess and West Streets. Although Sowers worked within the unit, his expertise for undercover drug investigations kept pressure on drug dealers in his assignment area. In three years, Sowers made 127 felony drug arrests, and the seizure of over 300 grams of cocaine and over 1200 grams of marijuana.

Sowers also served as a resource for the Detective Bureau, as his knowledge of repeat offenders was valuable. His knowledge of the habits of a homicide suspect allowed the suspect to be located in Shippensburg and subsequently arrested.

Sowers and his unit were responsible for monitoring a nuisance bar located in his assignment area, a haven for drug deals, fights and shootings. He served as a liaison to the Liquor Control Board and the unit's efforts resulted in the establishment being closed as a nuisance bar by the LCB in July 2011.

Sowers has repeatedly shown that he can rise to the top with his independent skills in investigations, street savvy and law enforcement.

Nominated by Chief Wesley A. Kahley