Three Colebrookdale officers receive commendation

Three Colebrookdale Township police officers received commendations from the Berks County Fraternal Order of Police for their actions in the line of duty.

Officer Johnny Perez received a citation and honorable service medal for saving the life of a Boyertown resident in 2010. According to the statement read by Sgt. David Viola at the Dec. 7 commissioners’ meeting, the FOP honored Perez for his “quick action that resulted in saving a life.”

Along with Perez, Officers Daniel Homm and Matthew Ellis received letters of commendation and honorable service medals from the group.

In other business, Viola, who currently serves as the township’s officer in charge, told the commissioners he plans to work with Boyertown School District officials to prevent a tragedy like last month’s mass shooting in Newtown, Conn.

Responding to questions from Commissioner Barry F. Baus, Viola said police will work with the district to get a blueprint of each of the four schools located in Colebrookdale Township. Those schools are Boyertown High School, Boyertown Junior High West and Colebrookdale and Boyertown elementary schools.

“It (a blueprint) would be a great thing for the officers, especially if we know exactly where everything is in the school if we do have to go to a specific location,” Viola said.