Solebury Native Takes Oath As Newest Township Officer

SOLEBURY TOWNSHIP, PA — The Solebury Township Police Department welcomed a new officer to the force and took some time to commend a handful of officers during Tuesday evening's meeting of the Solebury Township Board of Supervisors.

Judge Maggie Snow administered the oath of office to Larry Grawe Jr. who is joining the department from the Philadelphia Police Department where he served for the past decade in the 35th police district and received numerous awards and commendations.

Grawe grew up in New Hope-Solebury, graduating from New Hope-Solebury High School. And his father spent 39 years in the police department as a corporal.

"I'm sure his father is looking down and smiling seeing his son come into this department and continuing his name and his legacy," said Chief Dominick Bellizzie.

"He's going to be a great addition to the department. He knows the area. He knows the people. He grew up here. And he still lives here," the chief added. "It's an excellent choice for us to bring Larry on board."

Following the swearing-in ceremony, Chief Bellizzie took a moment to recognize the commendable work of his officers and emergency medical personnel.

"There's crime everywhere, but rest assured that you have officers and first responders who will run toward the gunfire and run toward the danger and take care of what is necessary," said the chief. "This is the type of work that our officers and our first responders do every day for our citizens and for the board."

He presented the following commendations:

• Commendation of Merit: On July 19, 2023, Officer Gina Ferzetti was in the area of Routes 202 and 179 conducting routine traffic enforcement when she observed an older model pickup truck with an expired registration. She also discovered that the owner was wanted on numerous criminal arrest warrants for burglary. She attempted to make a stop when the vehicle turned into the Logan Square Shopping Center and was briefly lost. She found the vehicle behind the shopping center unoccupied. She proceeded on foot and apprehended a passenger who was also wanted on burglary warrants. She continued to look for the driver throughout the day. At 3:30 p.m., Officer Ferzetti observed the driver at Route 202 and Fox Run Estates and attempted to stop the man who fled into a wooded area. Officer Anthony Viruet-Melendez began searching and found the man hiding behind a tree. Officer Melendez took the suspect, who was also wanted on burglary charges, into custody. "We're pretty sure they were in Solebury to break into somebody's house," said the chief.
• Commendation of Merit: Officer Brendan Murphy, Officer Patrick Dorsey, and Corporal Michael Johnson (Plumstead Police) were recognized for life-saving measures performed during a call on Jan. 1 for a suicidal woman threatening to jump from the Lumberville footbridge. Officer Murphy began speaking with the woman and managed to get a hold of her. For over nine minutes Officer Murphy helped defuse the situation by holding onto the distressed woman until Officers Dorsey and Corporal Johnson arrived and assisted Murphy in dislodging her from the railing and lifting her back onto the walkway.

Officer Brendan Murphy, Corporal Michael Johnson (Plumstead Police) and Officer Patrick Dorsey.

• Commendation of Merit: On August 19, 2023, Solebury Police and medics were dispatched to a suicide in progress. It was reported that a female suffering from a mental health crisis was observed entering a heavily wooded area with a ladder and a rope. Paramedic Tom Richmond, EMT Connor Myers, and EMT Ashley Hutchinson arrived on the scene and observed the female standing on top of the ladder tying a noose around her neck and to the tree. As they approached, she jumped from the top of the ladder. Paramedic Richmond and EMT Myers supported her weight against a tree to prevent death. The woman resisted attempts to save her life by kicking and fighting. They were able to regain control of her and cut the rope around her neck, saving her life. They lowered her to the ground, calmed her down, comforted her, and provided her with first aid.
• Commendatory Citation: On January 6, K9 Blitz and Officer Matthew Rice assisted in a narcotics investigation in Tinicum Township that resulted in the seizure of heroin with a street value of more than $10,000. "The dog is invaluable, not only to our township but to other townships as well," said the chief.

• Commendatory Citation: On Feb. 20 while monitoring traffic at Routes 202 and 179 Sergeant Kevin Edwards observed a silver Mazda with broken taillights. He conducted a stop and found the vehicle occupied by three individuals. As a result of the stop, he was able to arrest the occupants for narcotics violations. He also found that one of the men was wanted on multiple warrants. As he continued his investigation, he observed numerous designer women's handbags all with price tags still affixed to them in the backseat of the vehicle. At that point, he contacted Detective/Corporal Jonathan Koretzky. Koretzky obtained search warrants for the vehicle and verified that the items found in the car were stolen from TJ Maxx and Marshall's Department store at a value of more than $4,000.