SHENANDOAH — The “first and finest” in law enforcement were honored and recognized for their service in the Pennsylvania State Police on Tuesday afternoon at Shenandoah Valley High School during a special program.
The SV Student Council organized the event that included attendance by active and retired state troopers who graduated from Shenandoah area high schools, their families and friends, and state and local officials.
A major part of the program was the unveiling of a large handcrafted wooden plaque that held the names of the 49 graduates who are known to the student council following research. Additional names will be added as they become known and new individuals become state troopers.
SV Public Relations Director Robert Yudinsky was informed by individuals affiliated with the State Police Museum in Hershey that Shenandoah Valley is the only school in the state to have a tribute to the state police.
The program opened with the singing of the national anthem by seventh-grader Jacqueline Bubnis and the recitation of The Pledge of Allegiance by everyone. The emcee was student council secretary and senior Alaina Demalis.
“Today we gather to recognize and pay tribute to the men and women of the Shenandoah area who have pursued a career in law enforcement by becoming members of the Pennsylvania State Police,” Demalis said in her opening remarks. “For almost a year now, we have attempted to identify the individuals and the school from which they graduated.”
Demalis spoke of not being able to honor many of those troopers in person because they had passed away.
“Sadly, many of these troopers are now deceased and are in the company of their heavenly father,” she said. “Although not here in body, they’re here in spirit, and at the table before you, we acknowledge their presence.”
The student council honor guard walked down the center aisle and stopped at the empty table in front of the stage. First placed was the Pennsylvania flag, which was draped over the table. A folded American flag and a state trooper’s cap were placed, followed by two candles that were lighted in memory of the deceased troopers.
Two state troopers also walked down the center aisle to represent the two troopers who were ambushed on Sept. 12, 2014, at the Blooming Grove Barracks in Pike County. PSP Cpl. Bryon K. Dickon II was killed in the shooting attack and Trooper Alex Douglas was seriously wounded.
“Trooper Douglas was supposed to be here today, but he is having surgery necessary for a healthy recovery. We wish him and his family our very best,” Demalis said, who asked everyone to bow their heads in silence to pay tribute to departed troopers as a school bell was struck seven times.
The first speaker was Shenandoah Mayor Andrew Szczyglak.
“On a daily basis I deal with the Shenandoah Police Department, and I must say that whenever times are tough and there’s a controversy in the borough, I can always depend on the state police,” Szczyglak said. “It is a privilege and honor to be here. On behalf of the entire borough of Shenandoah, myself, our council President Don Segal, our council Vice President Leo Pietkiewicz, who is here, and everyone, I would like to say thank you. You do an outstanding job and that you are there when times are tough. I never realized there were so many troopers from our area.”
Shenandoah Valley school board President Daniel Salvadore was the next speaker.
“Today we are going to witness our Shenandoah Valley student council doing one the finest things they have done,” Salvadore said, directing his comments mainly to the troopers present. “Not only have they recognized your public service, but they have also decided to honor that public service. Every day when you leave for work, there are loved ones at home waiting for you to come home safe. We would like to thank you and send our prayers to you for your sacrifices.”
Salvadore said four words come to mind about a state trooper: Honor, integrity, dedication and sacrifice.
“When you look here today and see these people live those words every day of their lives, and for that we thank you very much,” Salvadore said.
The Shenandoah Valley High School Band, under the direction of Walter Choplick Jr., performed a moving rendition of “Amazing Grace.”
Sophomore Hunter Breznik presented his personal essay written as a tribute to his father, Trooper Michael Breznik, who is the first Shenandoah Valley graduate to enter the PSP ranks.
“Today we’re here to recognize and appreciate the men and women who stand forth to protect us throughout the day and night — the Pennsylvania State Police,” he said. “I am proud to say that my father is one of these elite individuals who puts his life on the line for us. Every single night I say goodnight to my dad as he is only starting his day. Every single night my dad is out there putting himself in dangerous situations to protect our fellow citizens.”
Breznik is aware that-that danger may not bring him back home after a shift, but he understands that sacrifice and how that makes him proud of his father and other state troopers.
The guest speaker was Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker of Shenandoah. Kilker is a 1986 SV graduate. Kilker commended the student council for developing the idea of the tribute with their adviser, teacher Anthony Pytko, and Yudinsky.
“When you think about being a state trooper, there are certain descriptive terms that come to mind — character, courage and call to duty,” Kilker said. “How do you define character? To me the best description of character is doing the right thing when nobody else is watching. That is certainly required of these troopers on a daily basis. They make independent investigations and decisions based on the facts of the case that will lead to the truth and, ultimately, justice. It takes a person of high character to get to that truth.”
As for courage, Kilker said it does not mean the absence of fear.
“Let’s face it, we’re all scared at times,” Kilker said. “Courage is having that fear and doing the job anyway. Troopers enter uncertain situations every single day. They must put aside their fears and concerns for themselves and control the situation under very stressful conditions. This act requires tremendous courage.”
As for the third trait called duty, Kilker said, “Duty is a responsibility or an obligation that is required to be performed. Every trooper takes a pledge that signifies this duty.”
Kilker read the “State Police Call of Honor” that every trooper must memorize and has been required since 1929. Kilker said 99 troopers have died in the line of duty since the state police was created.
“There is an old adage that the Pennsylvania State Police are the first and the finest of all troopers in the entire nation,” Kilker said. “I submit to you today that the men and women in front of us, as well as those who could not attend here today, are Shenandoah area’s first and finest.”
State Sen. David G. Argall, R-29, and state Rep. Neal P. Goodman, D-123, also spoke. Both said that in all their years in state government from working in offices to being elected to their respective positions, they have never heard of such a tribute to the state police.
“I will be shocked if other school districts do not follow the lead of Shenandoah Valley, so congratulations,” Argall said.
Goodman echoed Argall’s commendation of the student council members for their efforts in getting the tribute together. Goodman left the House floor on Tuesday to attend the program, and he said that was only the second time in his 14 years as legislator that he ever did.
“We work very closely with the PSP in my state offices, and I’ve never met more professional, more dedicated, hardworking and intelligent group of law enforcement people anywhere in the United States than the Pennsylvania State Police.”
Goodman said it is incredible that the Shenandoah area, which is not very large, has had 49 state troopers come from the area.
Demalis called for the presentation of certificates of recognition from the state Senate and House of representatives by Argall and Goodman. As their names were called, each trooper or a family member came to the front to receive the certificates from the legislators. Recognition was also made to PSP Cpl. Leo Luciani and retired Trooper Michael Yanavich for helping the student council with research to identify troopers.
Demalis called for a round of applause, which became a standing ovation for the state troopers.
After the presentations in front of the stage, the curtains opened for everyone to view the plaque. The oak wall display, which measures 48 inches by 32 inches, was designed and handcrafted by Walter Choplick Sr., Shenandoah Heights, who is a retired SV teacher, a member of the SV Class of 1970 and father of the current band director. The display will include individual nameplates of the 49 troopers, with enough room to add more names up to 60 total, a PSP cloth patch at the top, and a metal plate with the “State Police Call of Honor.”
The program closed with the singing of “God Bless America” by senior Meghan Artley.