Thirteen, including civilian, recognized at annual police awards ceremony
By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times
Kennett Square’s first Citizen Commendation Award recipient, Robert Whiteside (from left), poses with Mayor Matt Fetick and Police Chief Edward A. Zunino.
Imagine pursuing a vehicle with three desperate, armed robbery suspects inside, chasing a crazed inebriated driver who just tried to ram a fellow police officer with his vehicle, or discovering that a group of unfamiliar young males have a loaded assault weapon.
These seemingly made-for-Hollywood scenarios unfolded in Kennett Square this past year and formed the basis for some of the Kennett Square Police Department 2013 Awards. The commendations were presented by Police Chief Edward A. Zunino and Mayor Matt Fetick at a ceremony Monday night before the Borough Council meeting.
Fetick explained that the men and women in the department go “above and beyond” every day; however, some actions even exceeded that high standard. Zunino said some changes were initiated to the program this year to heighten the recognition, including separating the ceremony from the regular council meeting and widening the scope for being recognized.
The inaugural Working with Youth Awards went to Kennett Square Officer Oscar Rosado (from left), Cpl. Christopher Wills, Officer Sarah London and Officer Jennifer Albertson.
In addition to the Certificates of Commendation, awarded for outstanding performance beyond what is required; Certificates of Merit, for “distinctive accomplishments under adverse conditions with some degree of hazard to the safety of the officer;” and the peer-chosen Officer of the Year, the department added awards for Community Service, Working with Youth, and a Citizen Commendation.
Applauding the department’s staff, including key support personnel, Zunino said, “I look forward to coming to work every day because of the people I work with.”
Officer Kenneth J. Rongaus received the prestigious Officer of the Year Award for numerous examples of outstanding expertise and initiatives and “exceptional contributions to the department and community.” Rongaus also was commended for recognition he received in late 2012 from Mothers Against Drunk Driving for DUI enforcement in 2011.
Also receiving Certificates of Commendation for DUI enforcement were Officers Christopher Gravina and Ryan Singleton. “Drunk drivers kill over 10,000 people a year,” said Zunino. “It’s a very important part of the job to get drunk drivers off the road.”
Cpl. William Holdsworth and Singleton received Certificates of Merit for apprehending a dangerous DUI suspect on Sept. 7, 2012. “This individual was intent on hurting someone,” said Zunino, describing a series of events that included Holdsworth’s vehicle being rammed.
Det. John Trevisan (from right) is recognized for community service by Mayor Matt Fetick and Police Chief Edward A. Zunino.
Singleton also received two other Certificates of Merit for taking action on Sept. 6, even though he was off-duty, which helped identify suspects wanted for a series of knifepoint robberies, and for his efforts April 26 to apprehend a driver being sought for recklessly endangering a fellow officer’s life.
Cpl. Richard Bell and Officer Johnathan Ortiz were awarded Certificates of Commendation for defusing an April 23 encounter with a half dozen youth who came to Kennett Square in possession of a stolen assault weapon “with a loaded 32-round magazine.” And Officer Andrew Manko received a Certificate of Merit for pursuing three alleged armed bandits on Jan. 19, a chase that continued into Delaware and resulted in the apprehension of one of the suspects.
Det. John Trevisan became the first recipient of the Community Service Award for “rendering an extraordinary and continuing service the community in an off-duty capacity. Zunino said in addition to always arriving for his shift an hour early – time that benefits the community – Trevisan devoted hours each week to the Kennett Square American Legion during its building renovations.
Receiving Certificates of Commendation were Officer of the Year Kenneth J. Rongaus (from left), Officer Christopher Gravina, Officer Ryan Singleton, Cpl. Richard Bell and Officer Johnathan Ortiz.
Four department members received the inaugural Working with Youth Award: Cpl. Christopher Wills, cited for his work with Boy Scouts and area school students; Officer Sarah London, who works with the Garage, After the Bell and Study Buddies programs; Officer Jennifer Albertson, a Study Buddies mentor; and Officer Oscar Rosado, for his anti-drug and anti-gang outreach.
Zunino presented the first-time citizens’ award to Robert Whiteside, who was instrumental in apprehending a burglary suspect. Zunino said not only did Whiteside provide a detailed description, but when he came to the police station for a lineup, Zunino explained that the room had a two-way mirror, and Whiteside said, “I have no problem looking at him face-to-face.”
“Of course, we would never expect, suggest, or encourage a citizen to take action against a criminal other than to report to 9-1-1,” Zunino said. But he acknowledged that “some people are driven to service and action when they witness suspicious activity.” He said the Citizens Commendation Award was established to honor those citizens’ bravery or to recognize a “commitment to public safety throughout the community through crime prevention activities.”
Certificates of Merit were awarded to Officer Andrew Manko (from left), Cpl. William Holdsworth, and Officer Ryan Singleton.
Whiteside said he “was floored” when he was contacted about the recognition a couple of weeks ago. “I didn’t expect it,” he said. “I was just doing what I could to help a neighbor.”
Whiteside, the father of three grown children, said when he saw a suspicious person at his neighbor’s house, he didn’t hesitate to walk outside and ask the stranger what he was doing. Whiteside said the man tried to suggest he was doing work for his neighbor but the story didn’t ring true. Pretending to accept the explanation, Whiteside got a good look at the guy and returned home to grab his cellphone and call 9-1-1.
“You don’t want to let something like that go,” he said. “I’d do it again in a minute.”
Praising Whiteside’s actions, Fetick said the department is only as good as the citizens it serves. He said he hoped the awards ceremony provided “a snapshot” of the bravery that occurs routinely in the Police Department. “Every day the men and women go above and beyond, and we don’t even talk about it,” he said. “We appreciate their daily service.”
