2 Police Officers Promoted In Warminster

WARMINSTER, PA —With Corp. Chris O'Neill elected to become the Magisterial Judge representing the township, the police department had a void to fill along with another opening in the ranks.

O'Neill announced his retirement from the police force, effective Dec. 31.

"I'm happy for him, but sad to see him go. He's a great officer," Police Chief James Donnelly told Patch.

With outgoing Judge Daniel J. Finello Jr. performing the honors at a swearing-in ceremony, Ryan Berk and Denis Murtha become corporals at a Warminster Township Supervisors meeting earlier this month.

"I'm looking forward to this new opportunity and the next step in my career," Berk, 35, of Northampton Township, told Patch before his promotion, attended by his wife Kelly and two children, Chase and Brynlie.

Berk is a graduate of Council Rock who attended Penn State University Abington. He served in the U.S. Army in the 101st Airborne Division and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2010. He received a combat infantry badge and the Purple Heart before earning a criminal justice degree from Temple University.

Donnelly said that Berk was an A Squad corporal and also a firearms instructor.

Murtha, a graduate of Cardinal Dougherty High School and Drexel University, served as a police officer in the 39th Precinct in Philadelphia for 11 years before joining Warminster in September 2016.

He has a narcotics enforcement background, was a C Squad corporal, and a hostage negotiator. He and his wife Laura also have seven children.

"These guys have the interest of the young children at hand," the judge said. "They will keep children safe."

(Photo Courtesy of Ryan O'Neill) Corp. Denis Murtha is sworn in at the recent Warminster Township supervisors meeting.