State Police Present Awards

State Police Recognize Troopers, Others For Outstanding Service

July 10, 2015

(PIKESVILLE, MD) – Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel William M. Pallozzi today presented scores of awards to state troopers, civilian employees, allied police officers and citizens for their heroic actions, outstanding performance, and military service.

“Each of you being honored today acted in an extraordinary way and your actions have contributed to a safer and a stronger Maryland,” Colonel Pallozzi said.  “You represent the spirit of courage, dedication, determination, and service that has been a part of the Maryland State Police since its inception, more than 94 years ago.  I appreciate the commitment of each of you who come to work every day willing to make a difference – willing to make a positive impact – and believing that you can.  Each person receiving an award today is proof that we can make a difference in the lives of the citizens we serve and in the quality of life our state is known for.”

The following is a small sample of those who received awards:

Trooper Joshua Kim – JFK Memorial Highway Barrack – Trooper Kim jumped out of his patrol car and threw his arms around a man who was pitching himself over the edge of the bridge over the Susquehanna River on I-95, saving the man’s life.

Trooper First Class Shawn Bennett – Westminster Barrack – TFC Bennett drove up on a traffic crash in I-70 and found a driver trapped in his car that was on fire.  TFC Bennett extricated the driver and pulled him to safety before the car was completely engulfed in flames.

Pilot John Green, Trooper First Class Corey Green and Trooper Jonathan Nishi – Aviation Command – This crew of State Police helicopter Trooper 2 flew into the US Navy Yard during an active shooter incident and conducted a tactical insertion of a police SWAT team on the roof of a building there.  The crew then evacuated a victim who had been shot and critically wounded

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Sergeant Chasity Blades – Homicide Unit – Sgt. Blades worked more than three years on the murder of a Dorchester County resident whose body was never found.  Her tenacity and talent resulted in the identification of a suspect, criminal charges against that suspect and eventually a conviction.

Trooper Allison Oyler – Trooper Oyler received not one, but two lifesaving awards.  As a certified paramedic, she provided lifesaving care for a victim she found suffering from two severe stab wounds and a young woman in cardiac arrest.  Both victims survived, thanks to her expert care.

Corporal Shawn Needham and Sergeant Daniel McLain – Cpl. Needham and Sgt. McLain were off-duty, working an assignment at a construction site on I-95 when a driver stopped and said he believed his female passenger was dead.  The troopers called for EMS and began CPR.  The victim was revived and kept alive until further help was provided by medics when they arrived.

Sergeant Brian Broadwater – Sgt. Broadwater was off-duty in an Allegany County restaurant when he became aware of an elderly patron who was choking and had fallen unconscious after she stopped breathing.  His quick response and expert actions dislodged what the victim was choking on and restored her breathing and consciousness.

Senior Trooper Matthew Schoenadel – Hysterical parents called the Cumberland Barrack to report they were en route to the hospital with their baby who wasn’t breathing.  Senior Trooper Schoenadel intercepted the family on the highway and determined the infant’s airway was blocked.  He performed emergency care and dislodged the obstruction, quickly restoring the baby’s breathing.

Gang Enforcement Unit – The State Police Gang Enforcement Unit received unit citations for two years due to their diligent work in reducing criminal gang related crime.  The Unit made 328 arrests in 2013, 376 arrests in 2014 and recovered a combined total of more than 100 guns.

Criminal Enforcement Division – Central South Region – This team of investigators received a unit citation for their outstanding work in more than 500 criminal investigations in one year, which resulted in 216 arrests and the service of more than 200 search warrants in the Southern Maryland region.

Wicomico Bureau of Investigation – This combined team of investigators from the State Police, Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office and the Wicomico County State’s Attorney’s Office was recognized for conducting more than 240 investigations of serious crimes in 2014 and successfully closing 82 percent of those cases.

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