Police Officer of the Year Award
The Pennsylvania Division of the Travelers Protective Association recently held its Police Officer of the Year Award.
The man in charge of one of the largest murder cases in Lycoming County Pennsylvania, Cpl. Joseph D. Akers of the state police was welcomed into an honored group of county law enforcement officers on October 20, 2016 when he accepted the award.
Marie H. McGee, chairwoman of the Police Officer of the Year, introduced him as a dedicated officer with the state police for 22 years as a criminal investigations officer and current supervisor of the crime unit of the state police Troop F in Montoursville, Pennsylvania. Mr. Akers is also a veteran of the United States Army serving six years on active duty and 10 years in the reserves. During that time he participated in Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, and the invasion of Panama. For 20 years, local law enforcement officers from all over the county have been honored by this award. Presenting the award was Marie H. McGee.
Lycoming County Sheriff, Mark Lusk was the guest speaker for this event sharing nostalgic pictures of previous officers of the year.
McGee announced posthumously this year’s winner of the Lifetime Merit Award given to the late Humane Officer Larry Woltz, of the county SPCA. “During his over 40 years of service, he had a never-ending drive to protect domestic animals,” McGee said. “Even though he never carried a gun, he was the face of the SPCA and domestic animals in need. He spoke for those who couldn’t speak for themselves.” Woltz passed away suddenly last April, but there to represent him were members of his family and the SPCA.
Story submitted by Vera Eppler.
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