Horsham Police Recognized

Collectively they delivered a baby, helped to convict a murderer and apprehended a bank robber.

And, for a few minutes during Wednesday's Horsham Township Council meeting, a dozen men and women in blue were honored for their bravery and merit. 

Horsham Police Captain Joseph M. Repkoe said Wednesday marked the first time the department ever publicly recognized standout achievements. It showed. The first commendation went to officer Ed Reguera for his handling of an armed burglary ... in 1974.

"We decided to correct some of the sins of the past," said Repkoe, who's been with the department for 38 years and remembered the incident, which involved a brief standoff. "The attitude when we were young was ‘that’s your job' ... Very few people ever heard about the things you did right."

That changed Wednesday during the standing-room-only recognition ceremony, which was filled with as much applause as it was camera-toting family members, residents and police officers from neighboring departments. 

Repkoe said the recognition was part of a new policy put in place under the guidance of Horsham Police Chief Bob Ruxton. 

Horsham Township Manager Bill Walker said Horsham is lucky to have the "finest and best" police department.

"We are very proud of these officers who strive every day to make Horsham safe," Walker said. 

Below is a list of the police who were recognized Wednesday and brief details of their achievements. 

Officer Ed Reguera – Official Commendation for Bravery

On Nov. 19, 1974, Reguera responded to a burglary in progress. Upon arrival, Reguera encountered an intoxicated man on the victim’s property. The subject raised a hunting shotgun at Reguera and ordered him to drop his weapon. Reguera, with weapon drawn, ordered the subject to do the same. After a brief standoff, Reguera was able to place the subject into custody without causing any injury.

Detective David Bussenger – Official Commendation for Merit

On Aug. 19, 1998, an unknown assailant shot a female victim in the early morning hours as she arrived for work. Bussenger was assigned as the lead detective in the case. During the investigation, the same assailant shot two more individuals in a neighboring township. The assailant was captured and identified after murdering a young female. Bussenger spent countless hours investigating and assisting other departments during these incidents, resulting in a conviction and life sentence against the assailant.

Officers William Shapiro, Scott Fida and Brandon Byrne - Official Commendation for Bravery

On Feb. 13, 2009, officers were dispatched to a domestic dispute involving the caller and her fiancé. Upon arrival, officers began speaking with the caller who was now located outside of her apartment building with her 2-year-old daughter. The caller said her fiancé had assaulted her inside the apartment prompting her to call the police. She added that he was intoxicated, armed with a baseball bat, and likely to fight with the police. While officers approached the main entrance to the building, they encountered the subject who was brandishing a baseball bat and threatening officers with it. After a brief standoff, the subject was taken into custody without the use of deadly force, and without any injury to the subject or bystanders.

Sergeant Connie Johnson – Official Commendation for Merit

On Jan. 25, 2010, Johnson was dispatched to a medical emergency involving a female in labor. Upon arrival, she delivered the patient’s baby girl in the bathtub. Following delivery, Johnson observed that the umbilical cord was wrapped around the newborn's neck and the baby’s head was purple in color. Johnson freed the cord from the baby’s neck, allowing the baby to breathe and regain responsiveness. Johnson subsequently drove the ambulance to the hospital allowing both EMS crewmembers to attend to the mother and child.

Officers Darin Daley, William Shapiro and Scott Fida – Official Commendation for Merit

Sergeant Colleen Troxel, Detective Robert Waeltz, Officer Sean Allen, Dispatcher Michelle Snarr, Upper Moreland Police Officer Richard Shanahan and K9 partner “Ozzy” – Letter of Official Commendation

On Aug. 20, 2010, officers were dispatched to a report of several juveniles committing thefts from vehicles in a residential neighborhood. Upon arrival, officers set up a perimeter and began to canvass the area for the subjects. Upper Moreland Township Police also responded with a K9 unit. A short time later, officers observed a white male and attempted to stop him, resulting in a lengthy foot chase. The subject was apprehended after several struggles and assaults on police officers. The subsequent investigation revealed several other suspects and crime victims. After countless hours of investigation, all suspects were charged with burglary, theft and related offenses.

Sergeant Colleen Troxel - Official Commendation for Merit

On Dec. 12, 2010, Troxel responded to a robbery in progress at the Bank of America. Limited information describing the suspect was broadcast over police radio. While en route, Troxel observed a subject on a nearby street. Although his clothing differed from the description given over the air, she determined that the subject was indeed the robber and that he turned his coat inside out and discarded his hat in an attempt to deceive police.

Officer Barrington Ramsay - Official Commendation for Merit

On Jan. 7, Ramsay was dispatched to a medical emergency involving a subject in cardiac arrest. Upon arrival, he immediately began performing CPR. As a result of his quick actions, the patient was resuscitated and is expected to make a full recovery.