The Chester County Office of the Sheriff

Awards Ceremony

Chester County Courthouse, Courtroom #1

November 10, 2003

 The office of the Sheriff  was proud to hold an awards ceremony to honor those Deputies and first responders who were involved in the incident in East Marlboro Township on July 24, 2003. On that date four Chester County Deputies responded to a home to complete an eviction. The individual in the home refused to leave and responded to their requests with gunfire. During the ensuing standoff two Deputies suffered gunshot wounds. The request for assistance that followed resulted in a county wide response.  

The Chester County Emergency Services community responded with assistance that provided efficient and professional medical care for the injured Deputies as well as police assistance in stabilizing a life threatening event. The valuable assistance provided resulted in the successful apprehension of the shooter without further risk of injury to the responding emergency personnel or the community.

Sheriff Carolyn B. Welsh was pleased to present the four Deputies with the following honors.

Medal for Valor.

Courage while engaged in combat with an armed and dangerous adversary.

Lt. John Freas   Sgt. Edward Clemens    Dep. Joseph Smida   Dep. James Boyd

Medal For Bravery.

Courage while performing an assigned duty without regard for personal safety.

Lt. John Freas    Sgt. Edward Clemens   Dep. Joseph Smida   Dep. James Boyd

Medal for Heroism.

Courage and bravery during the saving or attempted saving of a human life.

Lt. John Freas    Dep. James Boyd

Purple Heart Award.

Disabling or potentially disabling injury suffered while engaged in combat or in the saving of a human life.

Dep. Joseph Smida   Dep. James Boyd

PA Senator Robert J. Thompson, 19th District, presented each Deputy with a Senatorial Citation in recognition for the service to the Chester County Community and the Commonwealth.

The Sheriff also requested special recognition for each of the responding Police Departments and Emergency services units and their personnel. Their response was instrumental in the successful completion of this life threatening incident. The assistance provided to this office and the citizens of Chester County on a daily basis are an example of the caliber of personnel that serve our communities.