Police officers recognized
ADAMS TWP — Five police officers were recognized Wednesday for service to their respective communities.
The Rich-Mar Rotary Club, Mars Mayor Gregg Hartung, Butler County District Attorney Rich Goldinger and others honored the officers at the Treesdale Country Club with a luncheon and plaques.
“I believe that being a police officer is one of the most difficult jobs. I have the utmost respect for the jobs you guys do,” Goldinger said. “You are the first line of defense between citizens and the bad guys.”
The officers recognized were: county Sheriff Michael Slupe; Adams Township Police Chief Bill Westerman; Mars Police Chief Kevin Radford; Northern Regional Police Chief T. Robert Amann, and Middlesex Police Officer-in-charge Sgt. Randy Ruediger.
Westerman has worked for the Adams department for 33 years, more than 20 of those as chief. He will retire Friday.
“It made me feel well to have the recognition,” he said. “It’s something you work at for a long time. I’m very appreciative.”
Slupe has been the sheriff for six years, but got his start in law enforcement as a part-time police officer in Evans City.
He said he worked with Westerman before and described him as a “fair” officer.
“He treated everyone with respect,” Slupe said. “It’s sad to see him go.”
Radford has been working in law enforcement for 41 years, 17 of those as chief for Mars.
“I’m very thankful,” he said. “These are trying times. It’s nice to have this happen.”
Amann has worked in law enforcement for 40 years.
Ruediger is in his 27th year for the Middlesex department. He has been the officer-in-charge for eight years.
“It’s nice to have people acknowledge that we’re doing the right thing,” he said. “And that there are still people on our side.”
A former colleague of Westerman’s was at the event to talk about Westerman.
“I’m glad he’s made the decision to go enjoy himself,” said retired Prince William County, Va., Police Chief Greg Smith.
Smith worked with Westerman in Adams Township for a few years before transferring to the Mars Police Department, where he would be police chief for four years.
“As police officers, firefighters and public safety servants, you understand that comes with a lot of missed meals from the family, a lot of nights where you’re significant other is alone in bed and call outs,” Smith said.
“It’s a job where there are great risks with minimal rewards in terms of money, but there are those rewards that come in other ways.”
Rotary Club members said the recognition is for National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, which was Saturday.
