Dispatchers Issued Service Citation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 19, 2013

CONTACT:  Megan Silverstrim, Department of Public Safety

                        717.218.2913

 Three Cumberland County Dispatchers Recognized

Cumberland County, Pennsylvania- During today’s Cumberland County Board of Commissioners’ Meeting, three 9-1-1 dispatchers were recognized with a Cumberland County Department of Public Safety (DPS) Service Citation.  The quick and efficient actions of Dispatchers Molly Baker, Ron Bouch and Benjamin Thumma assisted in the apprehension of a murder suspect in Lower Allen Township.

On January 5, 2013, Dispatcher Thumma answered a 9-1-1 phone call from an individual from out of the area who stated that he wanted to turn himself in for a murder he committed the previous day in Iva, South Carolina.  Thumma worked to determine the location of the caller, the location of the victim in South Carolina and ascertained that the suspect had a gun in his vehicle.  Thumma then began giving the caller instructions, so that a peaceful apprehension would take place upon the arrival of police.  While Thumma remained on the line with the caller, Dispatcher Baker alerted Lower Allen Police of the situation and relayed detailed information, including the fact that the suspect was armed to the officers.  Dispatcher Bouch worked to locate the Iva Police Department contact information and quickly called to alert authorities of the reported murder in their jurisdiction.  Bouch remained on the line until the Iva Police arrived to the home of the reported victim and confirmed a deceased individual was found at the house.  Bouch relayed Lower Allen Police’s contact information to the Iva authorities so that the two agencies could coordinate their initial investigation. 

DPS Service Citations are reserved for individuals who during an event that rises above the normal conduct of business, have contributed significantly to the outcome of an event through appropriate intervention, assistance or influence.  For more information on DPS and the citation program, visit www.ccpa.net/publicsafety.

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