Responders to Masontown magistrate office shooting honored
Mike Tony | Herald-Standard
Nate Regotti, chief of staff for state Rep. Pam Snyder, shakes the hand of German Township Police Chief Dave Hromada Jr. as Fayette County Commissioner Vincent A. Vicites (second from left) and Masontown Borough Police Chief Joseph Ryan look on during a German Township supervisors meeting that focused on the decisive actions of first responders in swiftly ending an active shooter situation at Magisterial District Judge Daniel Shimshock’s Masontown office on Sept. 19.
Mike Tony | Herald-Standard
German Township Police Cpl. John Lingo holds commendation bars and certificates honoring him during a German Township supervisors meeting Tuesday evening for his role in thwarting an active shooter situation at Magisterial District Judge Daniel Shimshock’s Masontown office on Sept. 19. Lingo shot and killed Patrick Dowdell, 61, who had been scheduled to appear at the office on charges he assaulted his wife after she told him she wanted a divorce.
Mike Tony | Herald-Standard
Responders to a Sept. 19 shooting at Magisterial District Judge Daniel Shimshock’s Masontown office were honored during a German Township supervisors meeting Tuesday evening. Those honored included (starting from fifth from left) German Township Police Chief Dave Hromada, Jr., Masontown Borough Police Chief Joseph Ryan, Masontown police Sergeant R. Scott Miller, German Township Police Corporal John Lingo, Masontown and German Township Officer Tom O’Barto, Masontown K-9 Officer Mike Yeager, Masontown Officers Alexis Metros and Maggie Vorum-Leonard, and Pennsylvania State Constable Robert Smith.
German Township Police Cpl. John Lingo knew some township residents didn’t support the formation of a police force in 2017.
The township had gone nearly 20 years without its own force, relying on state police to cover the area.
But because the supervisors started the department, Lingo said, “People are saved today.”
It was Lingo, inside Magisterial District Judge Daniel Shimshock’s Masontown office on Sept. 19, who shot and killed Patrick Dowdell. The 61-year-old gunman had been scheduled to appear at the office on charges he assaulted his wife after she told him she wanted a divorce.
Dowdell shot and wounded four people, including his wife and Masontown police Sgt. Scott Miller, before Lingo fatally shot him. The entire incident, police said, took only about one minute, but undoubtedly impacted many lives.
German Township supervisors moved their regular monthly meeting to the McClellandtown Fire Hall Tuesday because they wanted enough space to honor the many first responders and knew their meeting room was too small to hold the many grateful attendees.
To Lingo, hailed as a hero for his actions, it was Miller who deserves the accolades for his bravery. Miller engaged Dowdell which allowed Lingo to identify where Dowdell was and stop him. Miller was shot in the hand.
Lingo also recognized others, like Michael Wachinski, who was at the office for a preliminary hearing. Wachinski was one of several lay people who tended to shooting victims.
“‘You didn’t have to do that,'” Lingo recalled telling Wachinski. ” … The goodness comes out in people sometimes.”
Fayette County Judge Nancy D. Vernon commended Becky Rider, Melanie Jesko and Ashley Mansberry for tending to victims, including tourniquet help, shielding children and calming those who were with them.
“That’s an immeasurable gratitude that we have for you,” Vernon said, joined in her recognition of the magistrate office by President Judge John F. Wagner Jr. and Deputy Court Administrator Tammy Lambie, who alluded to the office staff having gone through active shooter training in the summer.
“It did come into play,” Lambie noted.
During the meeting, officials recognized Lingo, Miller, Masontown police Chief Joseph Ryan, German Township police Chief Dave Hromada Jr., Masontown and German Township Officer Tom O’Barto, Masontown K-9 Officer Mike Yeager, Masontown Officers Alexis Metros and Maggie Vorum-Leonard, and Pennsylvania State Constable Robert Smith. Officers from both the borough and township back one another up frequently, officials have said, and many were at Shimshock’s office Sept. 19 for court cases filed by their departments.
“We cannot thank you enough,” said German Township Supervisor LC Otto.
Public official after public official voiced the same conclusion upon being summoned by Otto to the front of the fire hall.
“You are all heroes,” Masontown Mayor Toni Petrus said. “A situation like this tragic event certainly makes everyone appreciate having our local police departments for such a quick response time in our communities,”
Authorities estimated following the shooting that 30 to 40 people were at Shimshock’s office, where hearings were being held, when the shooting occurred. Police and other officials have said that without the quick action of the officers who responded, the shooting could have easily resulted in more fatalities.
“You changed history right there,” said Nate Regotti, chief of staff for state Rep. Pam Snyder, D-Jefferson, who represents Masontown in the state House of Representatives, which is in session this week in Harrisburg. Regotti’s remarks came amidst similar thanks from Fayette County Commissioner Vincent A. Vicites and state Sen. Pat Stefano, R-Bullskin Township.
Later came a standing ovation from the several dozen community residents and fellow first responders assembled at the fire hall.
Otto thanked Fayette EMS, EMS Southwest, Fayette County 911 and Masontown Volunteer Fire Department for their service last month as well.
“This could have been horrific,” Wagner said. “We could be looking at untold numbers of dead or injured people.”
Aware of how much more grief could have stricken their communities on Sept. 19, those assembled at McClellandtown Volunteer Fire Hall three weeks later continue to feel gratitude instead.
“You guys were willing to engage,” Regotti said. ” … We could never say thank you enough.”