May 20, 2002 By Steve Ferris 3 min read

Every boss should be so lucky. Uniontown police chief Kyle Sneddon said he has so many good officers that he had an extremely hard time deciding who to nominate for the Fayette County Crime Stoppers’ Law Enforcement Appreciation Awards.

“I found it very difficult. These officers put themselves in physical peril’ said Sneddon. “I have 15 officers handling 12,000 calls a year. The call volume is ungodly and they all do the job.’ He added that they also take non-mandated training on their days off and aren’t not paid for that time.

Sneddon said the officers he selected investigated and solved some high-profile felony cases involving crimes of violence for which the perpetrators received jail sentences.

In the end, Sneddon selected Sgt. Fred Balsley, officer Donald Gmitter, officer Eric Hanula, Det. Phillip Jones, officer Thomas Kolencik, officer David Rutter and Capt. Ron Kozak and his K-9, Nero, from the Uniontown Police Department.

Also selected for the awards were trooper John D. Mosser of the Uniontown barracks, trooper Samuel Ferguson of the Belle Vernon barracks, Connellsville police Sgt. Michael Parlak and Redstone Township police Capt. H. Dennis Field Jr.

“These guys are definitely the cream of the crop,” said Herald-Standard publisher Val J. Laub, who was master of ceremonies for the program.

“These people are true heroes here in our county.”

Fayette County President Judge William J. Franks, the keynote speaker, said the number of violent crimes is increasing while police departments are shrinking under the weight of tight budgets.

“We ask citizens to help. This is where and why Crime Stoppers appears in the scenario,” Franks said.

Citizens can anonymously contact police with information about crimes by calling the Crime Stoppers hotline at 724-437-TIPS or 877-834-TIPS.

Franks said the each of officers earned the Crime Stoppers’ award through an “act of courage” or “private moments of bravery” that civilians never hear about.

“Some people are outstanding in the things they do,” Franks said. “These people set the standards. We deservedly recognize these people.”

The supervisors who nominated the officers presented them with their awards. In addition to Sneddon others in attendance were State Police Lt. Harvey Cole, commander of the Uniontown barracks, State Police Lt. Sheldon Epstein, commander of the Belle Vernon barracks, and Connellsville Police Chief Stephen Cooper.

The criteria for nominations asks for officers or detectives that gave extra effort in dealing with loss prevention, community crime programs or conducted outstanding investigations. Other points to consider were persistence, imagination, investigative ability, cooperation and cumulative efforts.

Crime Stoppers President Dan Martin commended all the officers and read the Policeman’s Prayer before the ceremony ended.

“O almighty God, whose great power and eternal wisdom embraces the universe, watch over all policemen and law enforcement officers. Protect them from harm in the performance of their duty to stop crime; robberies and riots and violence. We pray, help them keep our streets and homes safe day and night.

“We recommend them to your loving care because their duty is dangerous. Grant them your unending strength and courage in their daily assignments. Dear God, protect those brave men, grant them your almighty protection, unite them safely with their families after duty ends.’