Plumstead Police Accepting Applications For $2,500 Scholarship

The Plumstead Township Police Department is currently accepting applications for the Joseph E. Hanusey III Scholarship, which was established to honor an officer who was lost in the line of duty in 2002.

The scholarship provides financial assistance for qualified youth interested in pursuing a post-secondary education in criminal justice. This year, a $2,500 scholarship will be offered. The money is eligible to be matched dollar for dollar by the state, said Plumstead Officer Tom Rutecki.

Students of the Middle Bucks Institute of Technology, Upper Bucks Technical School, Central Bucks East, Central Bucks West and any qualified member of the Plumstead Township Police Explorers Post 5708 who is at least in the 12th grade and majoring in criminal justice/emergency service fields are eligible to apply. Candidates will be evaluated according to their academic record, extracurricular activities and essay.

Interested candidates should complete the application, which can be found on participating schools' websites or by contacting Plumstead police. An essay, three letters of recommendation and an academic transcript will also be required.

The deadline to apply is May 1.

According to information provided by the Plumstead Police Department, Joseph E. Hanusey III started as a township building inspector in 1995.

"He was always enamored with law enforcement and decided to follow his heart and enrolled in the Police Academy in 1966 He was hired by Plumstead Township Police and quickly became a shining star.He was presented with the Top Gun Award for most DUI arrests in the state of Pennsylvania."

He is remembered as someone who loved to stop while on patrol to talk and play ball with the kids. He ran the Youth Aid Panel, which helped first time offending youth. His pride and joy was the establishment of the Plumstead Explorer’s Post 5700 in 1997, the local department said.

Also, mark your calendars for the scholarship's fundraising event coming up on June 2 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Hellerick Family Farm. The "Kids Fest" event will have a fair-like of atmosphere with face-painting, balloon-twisting, door prizes, games, first responder vehicles, dunk tank and more.

Learn more about the scholarship by watching Officer Rutecki's short video below:

Image via Shutterstock