Homes for Heroes Sponsored by: Ken Pitts, Lending Specialist of First Choice Mortage Advisors, LLC. and Kim Sheehan, Real Estate Specialist, Realty One Group name Oxford Borough Police Officers Karlianna Eller and Field Training Officer Scott Richards as Heroes of the Year for 2023. 

Voting submissions were entered up to the deadline of March 8, 2023. Numerous nominations were made for several Southern Chester County First Responders and organizations for their response to the September 2023 Downtown Oxford Fire. 

The ceremony took place on March 28, 2024, during the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce - Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce | West Grove, PA 19390 (scccc.com) members luncheon held at Victory Brewing, Kennett Square.  Requested to speak as a guest before the heroes were named, was Sergeant Christopher Coverly of the Oxford Borough Police Department. 

"September 13^th, 2023, will forever be a reminder of a day that, displaced 29 families, consisting of 103 people. On September 13, 2023, at 11:31PM the Oxford Borough Police responded to a fire alarm in the unit block of South Third Street, Oxford Borough. Police Officers arrived on location within two minutes and observed large flames from the roof area of multiple buildings. Officer Karlianna Eller (sworn officer since 2021) and Field Training Officer Scott Richards (sworn since 2006) quickly went door-to-door to evacuate apartment residents."

Sergeant Covely went on to say, "As the police sergeant it was my job to review the body camera footage for media and investigation release. The captured footage truly showed the heroism of both these officers, the fear from the residents, and urgency of all the first responders. The Union Fire Department and Oxford Ambulance, assisted by Medic 94 and over 55 outside mutual aid departments are to be highly commended for equal heroism during this massive response." Coverly ended with words from Mayor Philip Harris who was unable to attend the event. 

I want to express my deepest appreciation for the unwavering courage and dedication you have displayed in the line of duty. Your commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of our community has not gone unnoticed. Your acts of bravery in the face of danger serve as a shining example to us all. Your willingness to put yourself at risk to protect others is a testament to your character and your commitment to upholding the values of justice and security in our Borough. On behalf of the entire community, I want to extend my gratitude for your exceptional service. Your actions inspire confidence and pride in our police force, and I am honored to have you as members of our department. Thank you for your bravery, your selflessness, and your dedication to the residents of the borough of Oxford.

Sincerely,

Philip Harris, Oxford Borough, Mayor

Pictured left to right:  Kim Sheehan, Chief Sam Iacono, FTO Scott Richards, OFC. Karlianna Eller, SGT. Chris Coverly, Ken Pitts. 

Also special thanks to Home | West Chester Hero Fund (chestercountyherofund.com) and for all they do for Chester County First Responders