5 Awarded Distinguished Unit Citation For Rescuing Elderly Doylestown Woman

DOYLESTOWN, PA — A team of Central Bucks Regional police officers and a victim specialist have received a distinguished unit citation for saving the life of an elderly woman who had buried herself under piles of clothing and debris inside her home to keep warm as temperatures dipped to life-threatening levels.

At the February Police Commission meeting, Central Bucks Regional Police Chief Karl Knot presented the award to Sergeant Jaclyn Riccio, Officer Andrew Hochmuth, Officer Zack Mason, Officer Alicia Belli, and Victim Specialist Karen Edwards.

On Jan. 29, Chief Knott said Sergeant Riccio and Officers Hochmuth, Mason, and Belli responded to a home in Doylestown Borough for a well-being check on an elderly woman, given the extremely low single-digit temperatures on that day and the lack of heat and water in her home.

Captains Kreuter and Carlen also responded, as the department had made several attempts to provide assistance to the resident before.

Upon arrival, the officers discovered an open door and, after announcing themselves, entered the residence where they encountered severe hoarding conditions, which included a deceased animal.

The officers searched the home but were unable to find the woman, Chief Knott said.

The chief said the hoarding conditions necessitated that the officers navigate carefully to avoid hitting the ceiling while stepping over large piles of miscellaneous debris. Unable to locate the resident inside, officers began to search the surrounding area for known locations that she had frequented in the past.

The department’s Victim Specialist, Karen Edwards, assisted by contacting individuals familiar with the resident as the search continued. One person informed Edwards that the resident often buried herself in the front room for warmth.

Chief Knott said Sgt. Riccio and her squad re-entered the home and began digging through piles of clothing, feces-covered items, books, and boxes, ultimately finding the woman who was awake and alert.

Medical Services were called, and the resident was transported to Doylestown Hospital for medical attention.

"If it weren’t for the actions of Sgt. Riccio’s squad and Karen Edwards, the resident may have succumbed to the severe cold and the appalling living conditions of her home," said Chief Knott. "The actions of this squad, working in tandem with victim services, exemplify their professional dedication and commitment to ensuring the safety of residents. The officers’ quick and professional response, even in challenging conditions, reflects positively on the department and themselves individually."