Central Bucks Regional Officers Commended For Lifesaving Actions

DOYLESTOWN BOROUGH, PA — Four officers whose actions saved lives during a fire at the Oak Garden Apartments in Doylestown Borough last July were commended for their actions at the March 23 meeting of the Central Bucks Regional Police Commission.

Karl Knott, the chief of the Central Bucks Regional Police Department, presented the award to Sergeant Darien Derstine, Corporal Josh Albillar, Officer Matthew Peppelman and Officer Tim Conboy.

In the early morning hours of July 27, 2022, Officer Tim Conboy was dispatched to an alarm at the apartments at 355 North Street. Upon arriving, he reported a heavy smoke and fire condition on the first floor of the "A" building.

After reporting a working fire, Officer Conboy began making attempts to evacuate residents on all floors of the building "despite great risk to his own personal safety," said Chief Knott.

Due to heavy smoke and heat, Officer Conboy was forced to retreat outside where he was joined by Officer Matthew Peppelman and Corporal Josh Albillar. The three officers then returned to the building making notification and attempting to evacuate the "A" building from the outside.

Officers Conboy and Peppelman discovered one couple asleep in their apartment, woke them up and assisted evacuating them through a window to safety, said Chief Knott.

Corporal Albilar located a mother and her three young children in another unit and evacuated them by physically lifting them through a window, Chief Knott continued.

Officers then escorted the two families to safety, according to the chief.

When Sergeant Derstine arrived on scene, he assisted in formulating an operations plan to safeguard the scene, assisted the fire departments and coordinated with property management, code enforcement and other agencies for possible shelter of displaced residents, said Chief Knott.

"Corporal Albilar coordinated with a New Britain Township officer to arrange translation for Spanish-speaking residents. This proved extremely effective in ensuring all families had been reunited," said Knott.

"This is an excellent example of how quick action and teamwork ensured evacuation without injury, and the deployment of necessary resources," said Chief Knott. "Sgt. Derstine, Cpl. Albilar, Officer Peppelman and Officer Conboy's actions bring credit to the Central Bucks Regional Police Department and to themselves."