2014 Law Enforcement Awards
Award of Valor
Adam M. Cohick
Police Officer
York Area Regional Police Department
Officer Cohick is a five-year veteran of the York Area Regional Police Department. He is currently assigned to the Quick Response Team. He is the recipient of two Chief's Commendations, one Medal of Distinction and one Life Saving Award.
Cohick was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and a graduate of Jersey Shore High School. He is married to Kirsten, and has two children, Ella and William. He is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. He was previously assigned to Camp David, and served in the infantry. He is the recipient of an Afghanistan Campaign Medal and a Combat Action Ribbon.
On January 22, 2014, Officer Cohick responded to a report of a shooting on South Franklin Street in York Township. Cohick determined that a struggle had ensued inside the residence between two subjects. Cohick assumed a perimeter position outside the residence. Several shots were fired toward him, striking the ground in front of him. Cohick dropped to the ground, and several more shots struck in the area he was originally positioned. Cohick repositioned, and could see the suspect firing more rounds at officers, taunting the officers while shooting at them. Cohick returned fire four times, aiming toward the muzzle flash from the suspect firing at the officers. The suspect continued firing at officers, but not as frequently as he had prior to Cohick returning fire.
It was later determined that the suspect had mortally wounded his girlfriend, and the suspect later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Officer Cohick was targeted with shots from a suspect that had shot his own girlfriend, and made threats to officers that they were all going to die. By returning fire, Cohick made it clear that police were not going to leave. Cohick maintained this position in sub-zero temperatures, with wind and a fresh snow on the ground.
Nominated by Chief Thomas C. Gross
2014 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year
Curtis A. Hempfing
Police Officer
York Area Regional Police Department
Officer Hempfing is a five-year veteran of the York Area Regional Police. He is assigned as a patrol officer. He is the recipient of one Letter of Commendation, five Chief's Commendations, and two Medals of Distinction.
Hempfing was born in Hanover, and graduated with an Associates degree from Harrisburg Area Community College. He is married to Jayme, and has two children, Wesson and Gracelynn. He is a veteran of the United States Air Force.
Hempfing is active in his local church, and holds a Bible certificate from Lancaster Bible College.
Prior to joining the police department, Officer Hempfing conducted a fund-raiser that included him riding a bicycle alone from Virginia to California to raise money for Lyme Disease support.
In 2014, Officer Hempfing was awarded a Medal of Distinction for his performance along with members of his squad at a shooting where he and fellow officers came under gunfire at a standoff that lasted for several hours in sub-zero temperatures, required a Quick Response Team deployment, and eventually ended with the suicide of the shooter who had murdered his girlfriend. He also received two Chief's Commendations in 2104, one for a stop while on foot patrol that resulted in the recovery of several thousand dollars of stolen items and another where he interrupted a burglary in progress, chased and captured a suspect and eventually three others involved in numerous burglaries.
In 2014, Hempfing made 80 criminal arrests and is always locating wanted persons and serving warrants, while diligently patrolling his post. His fellow officers know that when they hear him in foot pursuit, it is practically guaranteed that no one will get away from him.
Hempfing is a trainer in self-defense for the department and is also trained and assigned as a bicycle officer. He has not used a personal sick leave day during his career, and during two years has had the highest number of arrests in the department. Hempfing and fellow officers handled the additional stress of an accidental off-duty death of their Corporal requiring more dedication and focus through the grieving process.
The manner in which Hempfing represents himself and his genuine concern for the victims he deals with presents an outstanding image for the department.
Nominated by Chief Thomas C. Gross
2014 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Nominee
Jeffrey Knouse
Police Officer
Southwestern Regional Police Department
Officer Knouse is a thirty-year veteran of law enforcement, with York County Parks, Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission and the Heidleberg Township Police Department, which was disbanded to form the Southwestern Regional Police Department, where he is currently assigned as a patrol officer, evidence custodian and a member of the county forensic team. He is the recipient of several Employee of the Quarter awards and a commendation for bravery against an armed adversary.
Knouse was born in York, and is a graduate of Red Lion High School and Harrisburg Area Community College. He is married to Melinda, and has one adult daughter, Maggie. Knouse is involved in his local church.
Officer Knouse's 30 years of law enforcement experience makes him the "go to" person for answers, not only within the department but on a county-wide basis. His experience and knowledge from many years with the PA Fish & Boat Commission as well as municipal police departments enhances the services the department provides the community.
Knouse has been the department's only evidence technician since it was formed in 2002. It is estimated that Knouse has logged and maintained over 8,000 pieces of evidence, and is always available for courtroom testimony. Knouse handles these duties in addition to his full time patrol duties.
Knouse has also been an active member of the York County Forensic Team since the department was formed. His expertise in this field has allowed him to participate in and solve some of the most serious crimes in York County, while bringing that expertise to the department.
Knouse has received two department commendations, including one for an incident where his life was in peril and he needed to take quick and decisive actions.
For all of these reasons, Officer Knouse is our choice for Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.
Nominated by Chief Gregory Bean
2014 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Nominee
Lance E. Krout
Police Officer
West Manchester Township Police Department
Officer Krout is a sixteen-year veteran of the West Manchester Township Police Department. He is currently assigned as a patrol officer. In addition, Krout is actively involved in the South-Central Pennsylvania Task Force Strike Team, the York County Forensic Unit, and the York County Fire Investigative Response Team. He is the recipient of an Award of Merit, two Chief's Commendations and six Awards of Achievement. Krout previously served with the West York Borough Police Department and the North Codorus Township Police Department.
Krout was born in Hanover, and graduated from Spring Grove Area High School. He is married to Kimberly, and has one daughter, Miranda. He is a firefighter and life member of the North Codorus Township Fire Department, and a former member of the Jefferson Volunteer Fire Department and the Nashville Fire Department. He fought forest fires in Montana and Idaho with the PA Bureau of Forestry. He is certified and an American Red Cross First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor.
On November 18, 2013, West Manchester Township Police received a call reporting skeletal remains discovered in brush off of Loucks Road near Route 74. The remains were determined to be of human origin. There was no identification found at the scene to suggest the identity of the deceased.
In January 2014, Officer Krout on his own initiative found a national database for missing persons and unidentified deceased victims and began a search using physical descriptors provided by Mercyhurst College as a result of their forensic investigation. His work developed over one hundred possible matches from the database.
To date, Krout has contacted over one hundred police agencies in twenty-four states looking at 147 different persons that fit the parameters of the victim. Krout submitted the dental records of 21 people to a forensic odonatologist to compare with the deceased hoping to identify the victim.
Krout located an officer from Charles County, Maryland who is an established forensic artist who created a composite sketch of what is believed to be the face of the victim in the case. Distribution of the sketch has provided additional leads and DNA samples provided for analysis.
Krout continues to follow up on this case, working with the FBI and Smithsonian Institute hoping to apply the latest technology to the case. He has invested 168 hours that can be documented, as well as countless off duty hours working on the investigation.
While there are many people assisting with this complex investigation, Krout's determination will likely be an integral part in the hopeful resolution of the case. Krout has taken the time to develop an expertise in many facets of law enforcement which greatly contribute to the success of the department.
Nominated by Chief Arthur D. Smith, Jr.
2014 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Nominee
Corey Sheaffer
Police Officer
Northeastern Regiuonal Police Department
Officer Sheaffer is a three-and-a-half veteran of the Northeastern Regional Police Department. He is currently assigned to patrol. He is the recipient of a Chief's Commendation.
Sheaffer was born in Pennsylvania, and is single.
Officer Sheaffer is the youngest member of the department, but is one of the most mature and wise beyond his 25 years. He displays good judgement, common sense, exceptional decision making and sincerely cares for the community he serves.
This past fall, Shaeffer was on patrol and noticed a 12-year-old boy playing basketball alone in a park. The boy got the ball stuck between the rim and backboard, and was throwing a stick at the ball to try to dislodge it. Shaeffer got the ball down, and played basketball with the boy. The boy offered a deal to Shaeffer - if the boy made the basket Shaeffer would have to have lunch with him at his school. Shaeffer agreed, and the boy sunk the shot.
Shaeffer made a date to meet the boy at Spring Forge Intermediate School, and accompanied by the department chief, the school resource officer and another officer visited the school and had lunch with the students. The visit received plenty of media coverage, providing a lot of positive press for Shaeffer and the department for a simple act of kindness. Shaeffer and the department continue to receive mail, phone calls and e-mails thanking Shaeffer for being a positive role model for our youth.
Submitted by Chief Bryan Rizzo
