2024 Kennett Square Police Department Awards - March 5, 2025

This is with a sincere thank you to our Police Officers, Parking Enforcement Officers, and Civilian Staff.  This department is an example of an incredible team working together to serve the Borough of Kennett Square's residents, businesses, and visitors.

The annual awards ceremony is a time to thank the department members for a job well done. The awards we will present this evening are a testament to our staff's unwavering dedication and professionalism in serving our community. It would be impossible to acknowledge everything they do, so we will highlight some significant incidents in 2024 as they served our community.

Life Saving Awards & Merit Awards

Cpl. Toth – Life Saving (KS-24-009453

 On October 21, 2024, Corporal Frank Toth was dispatched to an unconscious juvenile who was exhibiting signs of a possible drug overdose. Cpl. Toth, recognizing the signs of an opioid overdose, quickly utilized several units of Narcan, helping reverse the effects of the drugs. As a result, the juvenile was transported to the hospital and recovered.

Officer’s Todd and Ortiz – Life Saving (KS-24-005956)

On July 7, 2024, Officers John Ortiz and Mark Todd were dispatched to an unconscious and unresponsive patient possibly suffering from a myocardial infarction (heart attack) incident. Both officers assisted in administering CPR and utilizing the AED until medical personnel arrived at the location and rendered further care. As a result, the patient was transported to the hospital in critical but stable condition.

Officer Zach Graham and Officer Alex Schwab – Merit Award (KS-24-005824)

On July 2, 2024, Officers Zach Graham and Alex Schwab were dispatched to a residence for an unresponsive adolescent possibly having a heart attack. Officers Schwab and Graham arrived on location and began administering CPR and life-saving measures until medical personnel arrived on location. The patient was transported to the hospital in critical condition.

Officer Chris D’Antonio, Officer Zach Graham, and Police Chaplin Annalie Korengel - Merit Award  (KS-24-011200)

On December 16, 2024, Officers Zach Graham and Chris D’Antonio were contacted by a borough resident caring for a young child and a pet who did not have a place to stay or food. Officers D’Antonio and Graham worked in conjunction with Chaplin Annalie Korengel to help find a place for the resident to stay, lodging for the pet, and a gift card for food until further services could be provided.

Certificate of Appreciation

2024 was a challenging year on multiple levels, some of which involved:

• Staffing shortages due to injury
• The testing, hiring, and training of new officers 
• Construction of a 21^st Century Police Department

Our standard operational model provides policing services 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. As if this approach were not challenging enough, we decided to add to the fun by relocating an entire police department independently. 

Nothing in 2024 was quite as much fun as undergoing this moving experience.  A message I share with my command staff is: “Every challenge presents the opportunity to excel.”   

"Every challenge presents the opportunity to excel" means that whenever you face a difficult situation or obstacle, you should view it as a chance to demonstrate your abilities, grow your skills, and achieve something exceptional; it encourages a positive mindset where challenges are seen as stepping stones to improvement and success. 

Our move from 115 N. Broad Street to 600 S. Broad Street was a testament to our team's efficiency and dedication. We ensured a seamless transition with only 2-3 hours of downtime for our Servers and IT infrastructure. We closed our public lobby for a mere 2 days before reopening at the new location, a feat that was only possible due to the hard work and commitment of our officers and staff.   

Our continued success is directly related to the contributions of all our officers and staff. I am incredibly proud and grateful this evening to thank two exceptional Police Department leaders. 

Lt. Kenneth Rongaus and Det. Sgt Christopher Gravina

In addition to their continual leadership throughout the operating year, our move would have been impossible without their direct assistance and guidance.

We also need to thank two other people for contributing to our year-long Police Department construction project: our Public Works Director, Rob Moran, and our Assistant Public Works Director, Denise Rodriguez.  This project would not have been possible without the time and effort you both have put in during and after the construction phase.

Officer of the Year

This award recognizes one officer for excellence, dedication, determination, and commitment to the Kennett Square Police Department and the Kennett Square Community for whom they serve. The Officer of the Year award has special meaning as it is not presented solely on one person’s nomination or determination. The award is determined through a selection process by a collective vote of the officer’s peers, supervisors, and the Chief of Police.

This award acknowledges an officer’s ability to demonstrate professionalism, understanding, and patience in sometimes challenging situations or circumstances.  It is the ability to demonstrate humanity and compassion toward people while remaining dedicated to the Oath of Office for which they swore to uphold their duty as a Police Officer.

This year’s recipient has been selected for the 2024 Kennett Square Borough Police Department Officer of the Year award for his dedicated hard work and exemplary efforts to better the Kennett Square Police Department.  I am proud to announce this year's recipient – Officer Kyle Blackburn.

In closing, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Mayor Fetick and our Borough Council for their unwavering support and dedication to the Police Department.  Your support has been instrumental in our success, and we are truly grateful for the opportunity to recognize the Police Department members this evening.

Respectfully,

William T. Holdsworth

Chief of Police