Two Local Troopers Honored for Achievements

Two state troopers working in the Washington barracks were honored last week for their work ethic and commitment to the community.

During a ceremony at the State Police Academy in Hershey, motor carrier enforcement Officer Thomas G. Smith and police communications operator Cynthia L. Gonze were presented with awards.

Smith, 55, of McDonald, was honored as the State Police Enforcement Officer of the Year for 2010.

“Officer Smith plays a crucial role in our efforts to protect travelers on our highways by ensuring that commercial vehicles meet all safety regulations,” state police Commissioner Frank Noonan said in a statement. “His professionalism, strong work ethic, dedication to duty and unparalleled job knowledge bring honor to him and our department.”

Smith began his career in 1980 as a weight-enforcement officer with the state Department of Transportation. He was then transferred to the state police in 2005—when the department assumed responsibility for commercial-vehicle enforcement.

Noonan said Smith is “dedicated to making his community a better place,” and noted that he serves as an elder and trustee at Venice Presbyterian Church and as president of the Canon-McMillan Community Scholarship board. He is also a volunteer with the American Cancer Society and the Beaver County Cancer and Heart Association.

Gonze, 51, of McDonald, was honored with the Police Communications Operator of the Year award for 2010.

“Gonze is a dedicated employee who does a difficult job in a professional, compassionate and efficient manner,” Noonan said. “She handles and exceptionally large volume of telephone calls, radio traffic and computer messages while always keeping the safety of the public as her top priority.

Noonan added that Gonze staffs the state police command post at nearly all major events in the Pittsburgh area, including the U.S. Open in Oakmont and 2009’s G-20 Summit.

He also said she leads by example, recalling a recent storm that dumped 2-feet of snow on the region.

“Gonze shoveled that snow from her driveway herself and reported for work to serve the people of Pennsylvania,” Noonan said.