State lauds troopers for heroism

July 3
State lauds troopers for heroism

Kelly Choplosky Abington Journal Correspondent

Over a year ago in May 2007, two state troopers had their abilities, police training and honor to the force put to the test when a fellow trooper was left unconscious with life-threatening injuries in his burning police cruiser.

Their bravery did not go unnoticed when they received an award that has only ever been given to 49 Pennsylvania state troopers in history.

On Wednesday, June 18, in Hershey, an awards ceremony was held in which Tunkhannock-based Troopers, William Gross, 39, and Robert Rogers, 40, were awarded for bravery and steadfastness in the incident that occurred in May 2007.

Police Commissioner Jeffrey B. Miller presented Gross and Rogers with the Pennsylvania State Police’s Medal of Honor for heroism, a rare and admirable award.

Dennis Dobinick, a radio dispatcher in the Pennsylvania Game Commission, who assisted the troopers at the scene, was given the Outstanding Citizenship Award, which was also presented by Miller.

Miller also presented Trooper Truman Brandt of Troop P, Wyoming with a Purple Heart, which is a medal presented to those who have been injured on duty

“The Medal of Honor, which is the department’s highest award, is presented in recognition of conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty and at the imminent risk of life,” Miller said during the ceremony at the State Police Academy in Hershey. “These recipients exemplify the highest standards of the Pennsylvania State Police.”

Miller said that the May 20, 2007 incident was initiated when Gross and Rogers were driving their patrol cars south on Route 29 in pursuit of a vehicle that had been involved in a hit-and-run crash in Wyoming County. At the same time, Brandt was responding to the same incident while driving his patrol car north on Route 29.

Miller also mentioned that the vehicle on the run had two passengers. The driver who lost control of the vehicle around a curve in Luzerne Country slammed head-on into Brandt’s cruiser, and both vehicles immediately went up in flames.

“If it wasn’t for the two guys, Truman [Brandt] would have died,” said Pennsylvania State Police public information officer Trooper Tom Kelly. “The men are truly brave for doing what they did.”

Many people do not truly understand that the day to day duties of being a police officer are extremely dangerous. “From dodging vehicles and bullets, you never know what you’re going to run into out there,” Kelly added.