The Patton Township Police Department and Board of Supervisors on Wednesday honored four officers for live-saving efforts and another whose investigation of child sexual exploitation led to federal charges against multiple men.
Chief Tyler Jolley said he began the public awards presentations several years ago to recognize officers who “went above and beyond” over the previous year.
“Our officers do a fantastic job,” Jolley said. “They make me look good. They’re the ones out there doing the hard work. So I always like to recognize them. They do a superb, extremely great job every day, [and] provide probably the best level of public service, in my opinion, in the Centre Region to our residents in Patton Township.”
Officers Sunchul Soohoo and Brad Tuskovich received the Life Saving Award for their response on Jan. 19, 2023 to a report of an unresponsive man at a township residence.
Tuskovich, Jolley said, was first on the scene, determined the man was in cardiac arrest and began performing chest compressions. Soohoo, who is one of the department’s CPR instructors, quickly followed and used an automated external defibrillator that administered three shocks. He also provided oxygen while Tuskovich continued chest compressions.
The man was breathing and had a pulse when EMS arrived to take over primary care and transport him to the hospital for advanced treatment. He made a full recovery, and Jolley said the man’s wife later sent “one of the nicest letters I’ve ever received,” including a a photo of the man with his daughter on her birthday three weeks after the incident. The wife wrote that he “would not have been in that picture had it not been for Officer Tuskovich and Officer Soohoo,” Jolley said.
“So they had a couple of the best there that day,” he added.
Officers Jeffrey McElrath and Justin Sunderland, also received the Life Saving Award for their efforts to help a 14-year-old boy who was attempting to harm himself inside a locked garage on April 21, 2023.
The officers first attempted to talk with the boy but he was too distraught to respond, so they quickly developed and followed through on a plan. McElrath kicked in the door, then the two officers secured the boy and removed him from danger.
What most stood out, Jolley said, was “the compassion and the empathy,” McElrath and Sunderland showed. They stayed and talked with the boy for about 30 minutes and took him to the hospital for further medical evaluation and mental health services.
“That is what really stood out to me, that they took the time to really talk to this young man and let him know that he matters, that we care about him,” Jolley said. “Their actions really reflect the highest credit upon themselves and our agency.”
McElrath, who was unable to attend Wednesday’s meeting, previously received the 2023 Centre County Crisis Intervention Team Officer of the Year Award for his actions during the incident.
Officer Elijah Vardzel received a Police Commendation for coordinating a multi-agency investigation that led to federal charges against four men accused of soliciting sex with minors in the State College area.
Vardzel was investigating a report of a scam in July 2023 when he discovered evidence of individuals attempting to solicit teenagers for prostitution. He began working with the FBI’s State College field office and arranged a joint investigation of federal, state and local officers.
“Elijah did all of the legwork,” Jolley said. “He did all of the logistical work. Every agency had different needs; he made sure that all those were accounted for and set up all the things that were needed.”
A three-day sting operation in November resulted in the arrests of four men who police say traveled to Patton Township expecting to pay for sex with minors after communicating online with an undercover FBI agent.
All four were subsequently indicted in federal court. Gregory Wilson, of Lewistown, pleaded guilty to one count of attempted enticement of a minor on Feb. 20 and faces a minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison. Christopher L. Crispen, of Howard; Robert D. Mansberger, of Cassville; and Walter T. Sitosky, of Houtzdale, have pleaded not guilty.
“It was truly due to the diligent work of Officer Vardzel and subsequent work with other agencies that these dangerous individuals who came into our community were arrested and taken off the street, and hopefully will never harm a child,” Jolley said.
Board of Supervisors Chair Pamela Robb said each of the officers honored on Wednesday is a testament to the work of the Patton Township Police Department.
“Thank you is a small word but our appreciation goes further than that,” Robb said. “I feel so safe knowing my Patton Township officers are on the job each and every day. Whether you hear it from our students in the schools, our seniors, our residents, we truly appreciate what you do each and every day.”
