{HARRISBURG} — Four cadets were sworn-in as officers, as dozens of their new colleagues were honored for their life-saving actions at the yearly Harrisburg Police ceremony at the Whitaker Center.
Monday’s ceremony marked the start of a journey for new Officers William Cartwright, Rebekah Chrisman, Yulmi Garcia-Lorenzo, and Gurleen Grewal. After being sworn in by Mayor Wanda R.D. Williams and Commissioner Tom Carter, the four will begin their six-month police academy training at Harrisburg Area Community College next week.
“Being a Harrisburg Police officer is one of the toughest, most thankless jobs in the city, but it is arguably the most important,” Mayor Williams told the cadets. “You will come across people every day who seek your demise. And then you will have days where you realize why you answered the call. Harrisburg is full of some of the warmest, kindest, and yes, even realist souls you will meet. You will find family here, and the purpose ou seek is the ability to wear the badge and make a difference.”
The new hires bring Harrisburg Police’s total of sworn, uniformed officers to 140, with room to hire additional officers in the budget later this year.
The yearly Harrisburg Police ceremony also serves as an opportunity to honor officers from Harrisburg, and other local jurisdictions, for their life-saving actions during incidents that took place in Harrisburg. The officers honored Monday were recognized for incidents that took place during the 2023 calendar year.
Awards
- AWARD 1: DOMESTIC WITH SHOTS FIRED
Merit: Officer Sethton Wiest, Officer Brendan Kovach
Distinguished Unit Citation: Officer Brian Stright, Officer Erik Henry, Officer Corey Masse, Officer Garrett Miller - AWARD 2: ARMED BURGLARY WITH 3 SUSPECTS
Distinguished Unit Citation: Detective John Rosinski, Officer Cody Geier, Officer Timothy Cheng, Officer Nicholas Herbster, K-9 Officer Eddie, Officer Marc Hall, Officer Martise Scott, Lieutenant Scott Johnsen - AWARD 3: ARMED SUSPECT WITH CHILD HOSTAGE
Bravery: Dauphin County Probation Officer James Robbins, Dauphin County Probation Officer Cale Hoover
Valor: Sergeant Alex Wagner (DCCRT), Officer Pat Walsh
(DCCRT), Officer Shayne Barber (DCCRT), Officer John Miller
(DCCRT), Officer Anthony Glass (DCCRT), Deputy Director AJ Somma (DCCRT)
Distinguished Unit Citation: HBP Street Crimes Unit, HBP UPD 2nd Platoon, HBP Criminal Investigation Division, Pennsylvania State Police, Dauphin County Crisis Response Team, Pennsylvania State Parole, Dauphin County Probation - AWARD 4: MENTAL HEALTH VIOLENCE
Merit: Officer Cynthia Kreiser - AWARD 5: SUICIDAL MALE ON 83 OVERPASS
Lifesaving: Officer Nicholas Herbster, Officer Cody Geier, Officer Jarrod Haar, Sergeant Tony Elliott, Dauphin County Co-Responder Jorge Collazo-Gonzalez - AWARD 6: GUNSHOT VICTIM
Lifesaving: Officer Timothy Cheng, Officer Haden Landis, Officer Christian Ribec, Officer Caleb Tanner, Officer Edgar Taylor - AWARD 7: AGGRAVATED ASSAULT VICTIM
Lifesaving: Schuyler Glotfelty - AWARD 8: UNRESPONSIVE CHILD
Lifesaving: Officer Nathan Ishman, Officer John Doll - AWARD 9: SHOTS FIRED AT OFFICERS
Bravery: Officer Marc Hall, Officer Steven Gray, Detective Michael Rudy, Officer Christopher Palamara, Sergeant Matthew Novchich, Corporal Travis Banning - AWARD 10: SHOTS FIRED
Bravery: Officer Timothy Cheng, Officer Haden Landis, Officer Michael Fischer, Corporal Esteban Restrepo
The highlight of the ceremony was when more than three dozens people were honored on stage – with dozens more called up and unable to attend – for their work involving a child hostage in May 2023. The incident required the assistance of Pennsylvania State Police, Susquehanna Township Police, Swatara Police, State Parole, Dauphin County Probation, and Penn State Health medical professionals. The child involved was saved in the incident thanks to the work of Harrisburg Police officers and others involved.
“I thank you for your dedicaton and your undying love for the city,” said Commissioner Carter. “Without you, our city would be suffering.”
Detective Dennis Simmons, a 19-year veteran of the Harrisburg Bureau of Police, was honored as Officer of the Year. Officers Brian Stright, Jeffrey Teeter, and Mitchell Gochenauer were also considered as nominees.
Newly Sworn Officers
Officer William T. Cartwright
William Cartwright was born and raised in the Harrisburg area. He is a husband, and father of
two children. William has spent the last 13 years as a truck driver and mentor. He is looking
forward to pursuing a career in law enforcement with the Harrisburg Bureau of Police.
Officer Rebekah E. Chrisman
Rebekah Chrisman was born and raised in Inwood, WV. She graduated from Musselman High School in 2021. After high school, she continued her education at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, where she graduated in 2.5 years with a Bachelor of Science degree in Integrative Science for Forensic Investigation. During the summer of 2023, she completed an internship with the Dauphin County Criminal Investigation Division where she grew to love the City and decided to make Pennsylvania her home. Rebekah currently resides in Camp Hill with her boyfriend, Mekhi. She enjoys tractor pulling, hunting, and finding new plants to add to her collection. Some of her support consists of her father, Brent, mother, Kara, and stepfather, Wayne. She is also supported by her three siblings, Bradley, Benjamin, and Caylynn.
Officer Yulmi S. Garcia-Lorenzo
Yulmi Garcia Lorenzo was born and raised inJutiapa, Guatemala. In 2010, she moved to the United States with her family where she attended Rowland Middle School, and learned English as a second language (ESL). In 2019, she graduated from Dauphin County Technical School, where she studied Criminal Justice/Police Science, and was a member of the National Honor Society. While employed by the City of Harrisburg, Bureau of Police, as a Parking Enforcement Officer, she has become familiar with the city, its citizens, and the local community.
Officer Gurleen K. Grewal
Gurleen Kaur Grewal was born in Punjab, India. She was raised in Burlington, New Jersey, and then moved to Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania in 2016. Gurleen graduated from Cumberland Valley High. Currently, she is finishing her studies at Penn State Harrisburg, soon to earn a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. During her college career, she was involved in Student Government, FBLA, and other student organizations. She has done ride-alongs with Swatara Police Township, and worked closely with Hampden Township through the church community. Some of Gurleen’s hobbies are dancing, hiking, reading, singing, knitting, and photography. Gurleen is the oldest of three siblings, and a first generation immigrant. Her family has been her backbone throughout her journey, and will continue supporting her in all that she does.
-Sherni Banke!
Contact
Matt Maisel, Director of Communications
[email protected]
(717) 255-7295
