It's Official; Three Police Officers Promoted

Family, friends and a contingent of South Whitehall police officers were on hand last week as three township police officers were officially promoted during a township commissioners' meeting.

Family members pinned new badges on Jason P. Negron, who was promoted to sergeant; Kevin R. Edelheiser, promoted to corporal; and George J. Hummel, promoted to corporal.

The three officers were conditionally in November.

Here's a closer look at the officers:

* Jason P. Negron, 36, was promoted to sergeant. A graduate of Liberty High School, he has been with the South Whitehall police department since 1999. He received his bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Moravian College and his master's in criminal justice from Boston University. He received Act 120 certification through the Montgomery County Police Academy. He served as a school resource officer from 2002-2007 and was promoted to corporal in 2007. This year, he completed all the requirements to become a certified Drug Recognition Expert and is the co-coordinator for the Lehigh County DUI Task Force.

* Kevin R. Edelheiser, 35, was promoted to corporal from patrol officer. A graduate of Allen High School, he has been with the South Whitehall police department since 2004. He received an associate's degree in criminal justice from Lehigh Carbon Community College. He received his Act 120 certification in 2004 at the Allentown Police Academy.

* George J. Hummel, 38, was promoted to corporal. A graduate of Quakertown High School, he has been with the South Whitehall police department since 1999. He served in the U.S. Marines Corp. He received his associate's degree from Campbell University in North Carolina, his bachelor's degree from DeSales University and his master's degree from St. Joseph's University. He received his Act 120 certification at the Allentown Police Academy. Hummel has served with the department as a patrol officer, field training officer and a member of the Lehigh County Municipal Response team.