Tredyffrin Township Police Awards: See The Winners Here

TREDYFFRIN TOWNSHIP, PA — Tredyffrin Township Police held their annual awards ceremony recently.

During the ceremony, members of the force earned individual commendations as well as unit commendations.

See the winners below:

#1 Life Saving Commendation
Officer William Czaplicki

On Sept. 4, 2018 Officer Czaplicki responded to West Golf Club Lane for the report of a male in cardiac arrest. The 80-year-old male was not breathing and did not have a pulse. Officer Czaplicki began CPR and with the assistance of the patient’s wife the AED was set up. A shock from the AED was given and Officer Czaplicki continued CPR. Ambulance and medics arrived and they continued life-saving efforts. The patient responded to these efforts and a heart rhythm was obtained and the patient began to breathe on his own.

#2 Unit Citation
Corporal Spurlock, Detective Carsello and Officer Hittle

Officer Hittle conducted a vehicle stop May 21, 2018 with the assistance of Corporal Spurlock. Both officers did roadside interviews with the driver and ultimately learned that the subject was involved with drug activity. This driver was arrested for the possession of a half pound of marijuana and ultimately provided information about the subject it was being delivered to. Based upon information received from the driver and a lengthy investigation by these officers and with the assistance of Detective Carsello they were able to identify and charge a subject who was distributing marijuana in our area. A search warrant was later conducted which led to the seizure of cash, marijuana, marijuana oils, and other drug paraphernalia.

#3 Unit Citation
Sgt. Scott, Officers Jackson, Meoli, Galletta, Cermignano, and Officer Middleton

On Dec 3, 2018, East Whiteland PD was investigating a theft from their T-Mobile store in which the actors had left the scene. Officer Middleton was able to relay to Tredyffrin units information that he had received from Officer Galletta in reference to previous thefts with similar actors. Officer Middleton also relayed information about a suspect vehicle. Officer Cermignano took initiative to check the cellular stores in the Gateway Shopping Center and located a vehicle and subjects fitting the description from the previous thefts. With the assistance of Sgt. Scott, Officer Jackson and Officer Meoli, five subjects were detained and subsequently arrested. These actors were tied to the East Whiteland theft and are suspects in several other thefts in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

#4 Commendation of Merit – Officer Fulmer
Unit Citation – Sgt. Moyer and Bereda, Cpl. Spirito, Officers Galletta and Middleton

On Sept. 1, 2018 Officer Fulmer conducted a vehicle stop based upon a speeding violation. There were five occupants and there was an odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. The above named officers assisted with the search of the vehicle which led to the seizure of marijuana and numerous identification cards and credit cards that did not belong to the occupants of the vehicles. Through thorough investigation these officers were able to identify victims of identity theft and connect these subjects with Felony Lane Gang activity up and down the east coast.

#5 Life Saving Commendation
Sergeants Scott, Major and Officer Cermignano

On Aug. 13, 2018, the above named officers rescued an elderly resident from his vehicle which was being pulled towards the creek by rushing water caused by heavy rains. In addition to this rescue, there were multiple flooding incidents recorded and we’d like to acknowledge the rescuing efforts and assistance of many officers, the Tredyffrin Township Public Works Department, Berwyn Fire Company, Paoli Fire Company, and Radnor Fire Company.

#6 Distinguished Unit Citation
Sergeant Moyer, Officers Meoli, Galletta and Middleton

On Jan. 9, 2019 these officers successfully stopped a vehicle that matched the description of a vehicle involved in an armed robbery in Caln Township which had just occurred. It was determined that the occupants were also responsible for an armed robbery that occurred the previous night in Westtown-East Goshen Township. If not for the officers’ listening to neighboring department’s calls, positioning themselves to locate the vehicle, and quickly offering their assistance, the suspects may have eluded apprehension and identification.

#7 Unit Citation
Sergeant Molineux and Officer Fanizzi

On Sept. 7, 2018, officers responded to an emotional disorder in the 700 block of Lancaster Avenue. Upon arrival, they observed the subject actively causing self-inflicted wounds. Officers were successful in taking the knife away from the suspect without further injury or incident. Berwyn Fire Company rendered first aid and the victim was ultimately transported to Paoli Hospital for treatment and evaluation.

#8 Commendation of Merit
Detective Bostick

On Nov. 2, 2018 Tredyffrin Units responded to a residence within the township for the report of a possible drug overdose. Police and medical personnel found an unresponsive 32-year-old female. Life-saving efforts were unsuccessful and officers later learned that the victim died from an apparent drug overdose. Detective Bostick was assigned to the case and after a thorough investigation he identified an actor who allegedly sold the victim the drug in which she had ingested. This actor was ultimately charged with drug delivery resulting in death.

#9 Commendation of Merit
Officer Middleton
Unit Citation: Sgt. Moyer, Officer Galletta and Meoli

On Jan. 23, 2019 Officer Middleton stopped a vehicle on northbound Route 202 in the area of Old Eagle School Road for a speeding violations. As a result of the officer’s observations and investigation at the scene a Narcotics K-9 Team was summoned and subsequently indicated the presence of controlled substance(s) in the vehicle. The above named officers continued their investigation and a search warrant was conducted on the contents of the vehicle. As a result of this investigation $6000 and over three pounds of marijuana were recovered from the vehicle with the driver charged for the alleged drug possession with intent to distribute.

#10 Life Saving Commendation
Officer Harhut

On Feb. 22, 2019 Tredyffrin units responded to the 800 block of Weadley Road for an accident with injuries. Officer Harhut arrived and found an unresponsive 51 year old male. The male was not breathing and did not have a pulse. The subject was trapped in the vehicle and Officer Harhut was able to give CPR with the victim still seated inside the vehicle. The victim regained a pulse and began breathing on his own. Medical personnel arrived and the victim was transported to Paoli Hospital for treatment and evaluation.

Plaque Presentations

Officer James Mutter

Officer Jim Mutter retired from Tredyffrin Township Police Department on April 4, 2018, after proudly serving this community for 30 years. Jim was a graduate of Monsignor Bonner High School in Drexel Hill and the Delaware County Community College Police Academy. Prior to being hired by Tredyffrin on Aug. 29, 1988, Jim was a part-time police officer in Bethel Township.

Throughout Officer Mutter’s lengthy law enforcement career with TTPD, he filled many roles with the department. He served with the SWAT team, Bicycle Patrol as well as the Traffic Unit for many years.

In addition, Jim was TTPD’s original DARE officer. He demonstrated his commitment to the community, especially youth, through his dedication to Drug Abuse Resistance Education. His file is filled with many letters of appreciation from parents and school personnel acknowledging his tremendous impact.

Jim, and his wife, Sue have two sons, Zach and Jesse. Congratulations on your retirement and thank you for your service to Tredyffrin Township.

Detective Sergeant Todd Bereda

Detective Sergeant Todd Bereda retired from the Tredyffrin Township Police Department in November of 2018, after proudly serving this community for 26 years.

Detective Sergeant Bereda, a second generation Tredyffrin Township Police Officer, began his police career in July of 1992. Prior to that, he served in the United States Marine Corps which included assignment as Assistant Non-Commissioned Officer In-Charge of Security, HMX-1 Presidential Security Unit. Todd was the recipient of many awards in the Marines, to include the Presidential Service Badge in 1988 and Joint Meritorious Unit Service medal in 1989.

After being hired by TTPD, he was assigned to the Patrol Division for 6 years. As a young officer, he was eventually recognized as a talented investigator, and was assigned to the Detective Division in June of 1998. Det. Sgt. Bereda continued to serve and represent the Tredyffrin Twp. Police conducting and assisting the Chester County Detectives with local and regional narcotic investigations.

Todd’s many accomplishments include, Director of TTPD Fugitive Recovery efforts and appointment to Special Operations Team in 1998. He was appointed Detective Sergeant in 2012, where he supervised and managed the Detective Division, which included serving as the Public Information Officer (PIO) for the Police Department. He graduated from the National FBI Academy in 2017.Upon his retirement, he was hired as Chief of Police for the Bridgeport Police Department, where he is truly making a difference throughout the community. Congratulations to now; Chief

Todd Bereda, his wife Missy and daughter Elise on his past success and future endeavors has he continues to serve the region.

Race for Peace; Andrew Howell

The Race for Peace was founded by Mr. Andrew Howell working with Lower Merion Township Superintendent Mike McGrath to foster dialogue between community’s members and law enforcement. Since the inception Haverford Township, Radnor Township, Upper Merion Township, Tredyffrin Township and the Philadelphia Police Department have continued to work diligently to build working relationships providing for increased communication, trust and service with those that we serve. This relationship is driven by the organizations founder Mr. Andrew Howell. For you service, compassion and diligence working to aid the youth, families and community members that all of these agencies serve we would like to recognize Mr. Howell and publicly thank him for a job well done.

Officer of the Year
Corporal Scott Costa

Corporal Costa grew up in Roxborough and later moved to North Wales. He attended Archbishop Carroll High School and graduated in 1995. Scott was an avid baseball player and received a scholarship to Mansfield University where he was a star catcher. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.

Corporal Costa was hired as a Montgomery County Sheriff in 2002 where he remained employed until being hired by Tredyffrin Township Police Department in 2005. He also worked in public safety and security from 2004 to 2005 at Abington Memorial Hospital.

Since being hired Corporal Costa has had countless accomplishments some of which I would like to share with you. To start, Scott has received numerous letters of appreciation from the community in which he serves. These letters reinforce the professionalism, compassion, and excellence that Corporal Costa exhibits on a daily basis.

Corporal Costa has received training in a broad range of topics which helped shape him into a well-rounded officer. These range from basic first aid, impairment recognition, rescue operations, drug identification, supervisory training to sniper school and intense defensive tactics training.