SANATOGA PA – All Lower Pottsgrove Police Det. Joe Campbell needs to do, his commanding officer says, is get bad guys talking. Once that’s accomplished, Chief Michael Shade added, criminals practically convict themselves.

Shade offered lengthy praise of the effectiveness of Campbell’s interviewing skills, his patience in investigations, and his intensity of pursuit in introducing the detective Tuesday night (Sept. 7, 2010) as the department’s Officer of The Year. Campbell was selected for the honor by a vote of members of the entire force.

Det. Joe Campbell and his obviously proud family.

Campbell accepted the award in the company of his family (above) and to the applause of fellow law enforcers, members of the public, and the township Board of Commissioners. The presentation topped the commissioners’ agenda during the first of their two September meetings at the municipal building, 2199 Buchert Rd., Pottstown PA.

The bronze-colored Officer of the Year statuette depicts a standing policeman on duty in uniform and cap, with his right hand on his gun holster and his left hand holding a portable radio to his ear. Its base bears the image of an American eagle.

This is the fifth consecutive year in which the township has given public acclaim to an outstanding member of its force. The 2009 winner, Ofc. Matthew Meitzler, was among the officers in the audience as Shade called Campbell’s name.

Exceptional duty awards for Ofcs. Matthew Musselman and Matthew Meitzler.

Meitzler also joined Ofc. Matthew Musselman (above) in accepting certificates from Shade for exceptional duty during a May 31 (2010) incident on Shire Drive in the township’s Woodgate subdivision. The “two Matts” successfully subdued a man with a shotgun whose arrival, Shade observed, created “fear and panic” in the neighborhood.

Unit commendation for Lower Pottsgrove Police Sgt. Robert Greenwood and Officers Matthew Kemp and Robert Diesinger.

Shade additionally presented a unit commendation to Sgt. Robert Greenwood and Officers Matthew Kemp and Robert Diesinger (above) for their actions during a July 11 (2010) incident at Welsh and Oak drives. The three were credited with helping to save the life of a teenager who had apparently overdosed on a substance and was unresponsive when they arrived. The boy’s father later wrote Shade a letter, thanking him and the department for their heroics.

In separate comments later in the evening, each of the commissioners present offered their thanks to those honored.

Related (to the Lower Pottsgrove Board of Commissioners’ meeting of Sept. 7):

• ‘Patient Investigator’ Township’s Officer Of The Year
• Lower Pottsgrove To PennDOT: Good Job, Guys
• Township Examines Tax-Break District Potential

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