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Exceptional
work merits high praises
Colleen O’Boyle ‘04
The Department of Public Safety has been faced with a
number of challenges during the month of February, including a fire in
McGuire Hall and the threat of a known narcotics dealer on West Campus.
These challenges, however, were effectively managed and resolved through
the diligence and teamwork of public safety officials.
On Feb. 5, a fire broke out in sophomore dormitory McGuire Hall at 7:30
p.m. As shift manager, Lt. Susan Holmes oversaw the response to this emergency.
Officers Daniel McCracken and Jonathan Zebley were dispatched to the scene,
where they found students evacuating the smoke-filled McGuire Hall. McCracken
and Zebley entered the building to evacuate any remaining students. They
located the origin of the fire in the corner of a second-floor room by
responding with an immediate room search. In an effort to contain the
fire before the fire department arrived, the officers used multiple extinguishers
to begin putting out the fire themselves. McCracken and Zebley also closed
the door of the room to prevent the spread of flames. Fortunately, no
injuries were reported and property loss was minimal. Holmes handled all
of the incident aftermath with a number of involved parties, including
the Office of Residence Life, Facilities Management, the department of
Environmental Health and Safety, the Radnor Fire Department and the Emergency
Medical Services.
Only three days later, Officer Raymond Smith reported a vehicle with two
suspicious occupants in the Spring Mill parking lot near the Law School.
He was soon joined by FTO Jeff Kropinski to assist in identifying the
individuals. After Radnor Police was dispatched because the individuals
would not provide identification, a male fled from the vehicle and was
followed by Kropinski and Officer Justin Wright. They detained him at
the West Campus gate and he was identified by Radnor authorities as a
recognized “drug dealer.” This male also possessed $1,900
in cash in addition to bags of cocaine that he had begun to scatter while
being pursued. Sgt. Phil Esco also aided in the incident investigation.
To honor them for their outstanding teamwork, directors of the Department
of Public Safety presented the officers with letters of commendation.
Jeff Horton, director, and Debra Patch, associate director, applauded
their efforts and offered thanks for their continued dedication to excellence.
As a direct result of the actions taken by Holmes, McCracken and Zebley,
Patch said “Your professionalism, teamwork and diligence were above
reproach and I extend my sincere appreciation to you for your response
to this incident.” If McCracken and Zebley had not responded so
efficiently and effectively, the damage could have been much more severe.
Most importantly, however, is that all persons escaped the building without
harm, Patch emphasized.
The commendation was completed by honoring the teamwork that led to the
apprehension of the narcotics dealer. Horton and Patch thanked the officers
for their diligence and attention to duty that resulted in securing a
safer environment for the Villanova community. “We may never know
the full impact the deterrence and detection of this crime . . . may have
had on our University community members,” Patch concluded.
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