West Deer to promote part-timers to replace retiring longtime police officers
Two officers with a combined 60 years of experience are retiring from the West Deer Police Department.
To ease the loss, the township elevated two part-time officers to full-time status and also hired two new part-timers.
The township supervisors accepted the notice of the resignations of Sgt. Darren Mikus and Officer Edward Newman. Their last days will be Friday, according to township documents.
“Both of them served here for approximately 30 years, serving our township and the residents of our township,” police Chief Bob Loper said. “They gave up a lot for our residents, which we truly appreciate.”
Newman was instrumental in starting the township’s first K-9 unit. That program is thriving now because of his efforts, Loper said.
Mikus played a big role in starting the North Hills Special Response Team and was one of the first members on that team, Loper said. He also was a crucial part of the department’s investigative unit, the chief said.
“I really appreciate what they’ve done for our department, not only the programs that they have led, the mentorship of our younger officers,” Loper said. “It’s going to be hard to replace that.”
The promotions of two part-timers will keep the department’s complement of full-time officers fully staffed. The department has 20 members.
Officers Aaron Fuesting and Colin Kadlick will be elevated to full-time status Friday.
Supervisors also approved hiring two part-time police officers, Michael Seefeld and Kevin Vresh, and accepted the resignation of another, Damian Brand. Brand was hired by the township in August 2020.
Loper recommended hiring Seefeld and Vresh.
Seefeld is a North Allegheny graduate and lives in Richland. He successfully completed training and background requirements.
Vresh was a state trooper for 21 years and retired with an honorable discharge in August 2022. Vresh served in the Marine Corps for four years and obtained the rank of infantry sergeant. He lives in West Deer with his family.
Kellen Stepler is a TribLive reporter covering the Allegheny Valley and Burrell school districts and surrounding areas. He joined the Trib in April 2023. He can be reached at kstepler@triblive.com.
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