Dauphin County law enforcement, first responders recognized in annual ceremony

Mariah Lewis was shot in the face last summer by her former boyfriend Derrick Hutcherson. While she was hospitalized, her 2-year-old son and 79-year-old grandmother were held hostage for 33 hours in a Lower Paxton Township apartment. Hutcherson eventually was taken into custody on charges including attempted homicide and child endangerment.

While holding her son during Monday’s awards ceremony at Dauphin County Courthouse, Lewis told those in attendance she’s appreciative of the officers who were there to save her family and wants to do what it takes to bridge the gap between officers and members of the community.

“I’m very grateful to be here today. That day was very traumatic for me because if I didn’t have jumped off of the balcony I don’t know if I was going to see my son again,” said Lewis, one of several civilians who received awards Monday. “But I’m glad that things all worked out and I’m very grateful for all of the officers who were there.”

Lewis and her son joined Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo, police officers and community members at the annual event that recognizes the services and sacrifices by local law enforcement in the county.

It was held In conjunction with National Police Memorial Week.

Said Chardo, who handed out a number of awards during the lunchtime ceremony, “In addition to recognizing those who lost their lives we want to also recognize the living that have made a substantial contribution toward the cause of justice among police, among prosecutors, and among the citizens who stepped up.”

During the ceremony, Harrisburg Det. Richard Gibney was honored with the Willie Holland Memorial Award for Outstanding Career Service as a Police Officer.

Gibney served as a police officer from 1999 until last year when he decided to run for magisterial district judge in Perry County. After joining the Harrisburg Bureau of Police in 2001, he served as a patrol officer and then became a detective in 2009. Gibney was the lead detective in a wide variety of cases, from homicide and sexual assault to fraud.

“My father was a police officer in Harrisburg from 1955 to 1982 and he had the pleasure of working with Willie Holland,” Gibney said. “He would often as I was growing up tell me stories about Willie on the job. It really hit home to be mentioned in the same breath with Willie. It’s a true honor.”

The other awardees were:

The Lieutenant Robert “Bo” McCallister Memorial Award for Outstanding Service as a Patrol Officer

Trooper Edward F. Sedlock of the Pennsylvania State Police acted quickly and without hesitation when an armed man continuously fired a rifle at his neighbors’ houses and at responding troopers. Sedlock’s quick action ended a deadly threat.

The Detective Samuel Thomas Kohr Memorial Award for Outstanding Service as a Detective

Corporal Lee Ann Tarasi of the Susquehanna Township Police Department received this award for her exceptional and tireless work investigating sex offenses. As examples in 2021, her work resulted in the conviction of Jorge Caraballo for numerous counts of child rape. In a separate case, her thorough investigation yielded the conviction of Ricardo Desouza for the sexual assault of two victims. This resulted in a sentence of 9½ to 19 years of imprisonment.

The LeRoy S. Zimmerman Award for Outstanding Service by a Prosecutor

Deputy District Attorney Ryan P. Shovlin has earned the reputation as a great trial advocate. He is tireless in his preparation and devoted to the victims of the crimes he prosecutes and the community he serves. His advocacy and hard work have achieved justice where it would have likely fallen out of reach without his commitment to service.

The Lieutenant Dennis H. DeVoe Memorial Award for Excellence in Emergency Response

Dauphin County Emergency Dispatcher Carmen Geigel received this award for her interaction with a domestic violence victim during a call. While dealing with the victim in a calm and caring manner, Dispatcher Geigel elicited critical information that allowed police to respond quickly and ultimately achieve a conviction in this felony case.

District Attorney’s Award for Outstanding Service by a Citizen

On May 19, 2021, Jimmy Le came to the aid of a lone uniformed Swatara Township police officer as he struggled to bring an arrestee, who was armed with a pistol, into custody. Le’s assistance ensured the arrestee did not escape or gain control of the pistol. He did so despite the substantial risk to himself.

District Attorney’s Award for Outstanding Service by a Citizen

On June 28, 2021, Mariah L. Lewis exposed herself to risk of death and suffered a gunshot wound, to alert authorities that Derrick Hutcherson had taken hostages and posed an imminent threat to responding law enforcement officers. Her actions and difficult choice to leave behind her mother and child to alert police saved lives.

District Attorney’s Award for Outstanding Service by a Citizen

On June 28, 2021, Meaghan Farrell came to the aid of Mariah L. Lewis, a wounded woman she did not know, as she fled from the man who shot her. Farrell summoned emergency responders and rendered aid to the wounded victim until they arrived.