Celebrating the work and dedication of law enforcement and public safety professionals from the University of Pennsylvania, as well as its neighborhood partners, Penn’s Division of Public Safety recognized more than 40 honorees at its biannual Commendation Ceremony, Wednesday, Nov. 11. DPS swore in five new police officers: Ryan James, Marc Laing, John McKenna, Elan Thomas and Francis Toth. 

Officers, detectives and dispatchers who have demonstrated special initiative, perseverance and exceptional performance were applauded for going above and beyond the call of duty. It even recognized K-9 Officer Socks for a job well done. 

“The ceremony honors members of the Division of Public Safety, but also their partners, including AlliedBarton, the University City District, the Philadelphia Police Department and the people of West Philadelphia for their dedication, commitment and outstanding service in keeping University City a safe place to learn, work and live,” said Maureen S. Rush, vice president for public safety and superintendent of Penn Police. “This ceremony illustrates all the brave and amazing work that is done quietly behind the scenes every day by our first responders.” 

Members of the Penn Emergency Communications Center, or PennComm, team who are residents of West Philadelphia and were honored with Letters of Commendation include Yamin Newtown, Rich Vanish, Jonathan Moore and Kelly Collins, along with AlliedBarton security officers Thomas Robinson and Ronald Kearney.  

They were recognized for their courage and quick thinking. In one instance they provided emergency care when a member of the community was suffering from diabetic shock. In another, they worked together to help locate a runaway juvenile, who was returned safely to her family. 

Additional Letters of Commendation for assistance in the apprehension of a robbery suspect, theft prevention, performing CPR on a child who was a drowning victim and protecting children who were left unattended in a vehicle were presented to dispatchers Grace Umbrell and Jessica Scott, AlliedBarton Security officers Maria Cardona and Laytanya Gay, along with Penn Patrol Security Officers Thomas Robinson and Ahmad Ali.  

In another highlight of the ceremony, five-year-old Logan Mast from Aston, Pa., was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation by Officer Sean Mackey and K9 Officer Zzisa. Instead of presents for his birthday, Mast wanted to help police canine units with gift baskets and gave one of the baskets to Zzisa.  

Those receiving merit commendations in the Penn Police Department were: Lt. Christian VanDerVort; Sergeants Thomas DeVore, Michael Ricciardi, Christopher Guinan; Detectives Pete Black, David Callis, Philip Lydon, William McCullough, Ray Rodman, Paul Sawicki, Leo Spader Gerald Thomas, Valdo Walker; and Officers Dwight Archer, Nick DePallo, Dominic DiLorenzo III, Kevin Finnegan, Paul Frosch, Candice Gongora, Joseph Hammond, Terrance Jones, James Kearns, Joseph Lewis, Joseph Marone, Benjamin Mauro, Joseph McDermott, Robert McKellick, Charles Ritterson, Rafael Stoppazzollo, Jason Squadroni, Steven Thammavong and Julie Wesley.

As part of the ceremony, DPS also honored officers and investigators from the Philadelphia Police Department including James Balmer, Anthony Britton, Michael McCafferty and John Weber Jr. from the 18th District and Diane Judge-Barnes, Calvin Littlejohn and Raymond Sambor from the Veterans Administration Police. Fire Marshall Andrew Robinson from the Philadelphia Fire Department also received a letter of recognition.  

Civilian Commendatory Letters were issued to Shawn Livingston, Austin Purvis, Casey Quackenbush, Martin Redman and Evan Rurak.  

In addition, there was special recognition of the more than 25 personnel who served on active duty in the military, in honor of Veterans Day.