Washington, DC—The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund has named Patrolman Scott Petroff the Union Township (PA) Police Department, as the recipients of its Officer of the Month Award for August 2018.
May 5 was a warm evening as three friends decided to go for a swim in the Shenango River in northwest Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, the current was stronger than they expected, and two individuals were quickly carried away. The third managed to call 911.
The Union Township (PA) Police Department received the call and Patrolman Scott Petroff was the first officer to arrive on the scene. He ran through the woods, attempting to find the stranded swimmers, when he heard a man screaming from the river. He also noticed a woman in the water near an embankment also screaming.
Patrolman Petroff quickly removed his patrol equipment and dove into the river, still wearing his uniform and bullet-proof vest. As he swam toward the man, he realized the water was deeper than he expected, but was able to reach the stranded swimmer and guide him back to shore.
After passing the man off to the first responders who had arrived, Patrolman Petroff turned his attention to the woman, who was holding onto a small branch. Fearing she would lose her grip on the branch and be swept away, Patrolman Petroff swam over to her. He got behind her and grabbed her feet to push her up the embankment where several people were able to pull her out of the water.
Exhausted from the rescues, Patrolman Petroff swam to a different area where he was pulled out of the water as well. “I was so out of breath at that point that I don’t remember who it was,” he said.
“Officer Scott P. Petroff’s actions are indicative of the level of character, training and experience which this officer possesses and indicative of the caliber of the personnel employed by the Union Township Police Department,” Union Township Police Chief Mark Julian said.
“I admire Patrolman Petroff’s bravery in jumping into a river to save these two who found themselves in a dangerous situation,” Memorial Fund Chief Executive Officer Craig W. Floyd said. “His efforts undoubtedly saved their lives and he deserves the honor of receiving the Memorial Fund’s Officer of the Month Award for August 2018.”
Located in the nation’s capital, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of America’s law enforcement officers. The Memorial Fund’s Officer of the Month Award Program began in 1996 and recognizes federal, state, and local officers who distinguish themselves through exemplary law enforcement service and devotion to duty.
Patrolman Scott Petroff, along with the other Officer of the Month Award recipients for 2018, will be honored at a special awards ceremony in Washington, DC, in 2019.
About the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund
Established in 1984, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is a private non-profit organization dedicated to telling the story of American law enforcement and making it safer for those who serve. The Memorial Fund maintains the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, which contains the names of 21,541 officers who have died in the line of duty throughout U.S. history. The Memorial Fund is now building the new National Law Enforcement Museum, which will tell the story of American law enforcement by providing visitors a “walk in the shoes” experience. The Museum is working to expand and enrich the relationship shared by law enforcement and the community through the Museum’s educational journeys, immersive exhibitions, and insightful programs. For more information, visit www.LawMemorial.org.
Jaclyn Barrientes
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(202) 737-7989