[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 59 (Thursday, April 1, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E336]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING OFFICER BRETT FISHEL AS THE SPRINGETTSBURY TOWNSHIP POLICE 
                  DEPARTMENT 2019 OFFICER OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. SCOTT PERRY

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 1, 2021

  Mr. PERRY. Madam Speaker. I'm honored to recognize Officer Brett 
Fishel upon earning the Springettsbury Township Police Department 2019 
Officer of the Year award. I commend Officer Fishel on his years of 
service to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the United States of 
America.
  Officer Fishel came to Springettsbury Township Police Department in 
2015, following two years with the Southern York Regional Police 
Department. In 2019, Officer Fishel continued to do what he had done 
since his arrival: display good judgement, make sound decisions, and 
perform tireless service--especially when he was thrust into a greater 
leadership role. Due to staffing shortages and shift structure, Officer 
Fishel frequently served as ``Officer in Charge'' (OIC) during many 
shifts. In 2019; he was assigned to the permanent night shift, and 
still maintained OIC duties--effectively managing two positions; quite 
unusual for an officer who had been with the department only for a 
little over 3 years.
  Officer Fishel remained a leader in most activity areas for 
patrolmen, maintaining the dedicated personal work ethic displayed 
throughout his tenure--all while becoming a new father. Despite missing 
December to welcome the new addition to his family, he had 445 traffic 
enforcement contacts and made 79 criminal arrests. In 2018, he was 
named a DUI Top Gun Award winner, and in 2019 he continued to keep our 
roads safe through 25 DUI arrests.
  Throughout Officer Fishel's service, what stands out most is the 
manner in which he interacts with people around him. His calm and 
professional demeanor consistently received praise from the community, 
with many citizens writing to STPD officially to thank him for his 
assistance. He even received thank you cards from some of those traffic 
contacts because of the way he treated them when he pulled them over.
  Officer Fishel was recognized for three internal accomplishments in 
2019 for extraordinary actions taken in the line of duty, ranging from 
a motor vehicle theft arrest to saving someone's life in a house fire. 
In the house fire incident, Officer Fishel and another officer were 
dispatched just across the York Township line where a disabled female 
was reporting her house was filled with smoke and she was unable to get 
out of bed. The two officers responded to the location to find a smoke-
filled house with the front door locked and alarms sounding. Upon 
forcing the front door open, they were met by clouds of thick, dark 
smoke, which prevented them from seeing and navigating the residence. 
With the help of a third officer from YARPD, they were able to locate 
the individual and carry her to safety.
  Officer Brett Fishel's consistent professionalism and dedication to 
duty has set the standard for all officers to follow. For his exemplary 
performance, tireless service, and commitment to the mission and 
vision, I am proud to honor him as the Springettsbury Township Police 
Department 2019 Officer of the Year.

                          ____________________