Latrobe hires patrolman, promotes K-9 officer
Latrobe police shored up their ranks by hiring new patrolman Matthew DeChicchis and promoting K9 Officer Robert Derk to sergeant.
Most recently employed with the police department in Johnstown, DeChicchis “came out heads and tails above everybody else” in Latrobe’s civil service hiring process, Latrobe Police Chief John Sleasman said Monday, before council voted to hire the officer.
DeChicchis was sworn into office at the council meeting by District Judge Michael R. Mahady.
Council also Monday promoted Officer Robert Derk to sergeant, as recommended by Sleasman. Derk, who helped Latrobe establish its police dog program, is the handler of the city’s K-9 officer, German shepherd Zeus, and similarly was partnered with predecessor Rocky, who retired in 2017 after being diagnosed with an untreatable form of cancer.
Derk has proven to be “a level-headed, knowledgeable, prepared leader” in both everyday and high-risk situations, Sleasman said, noting the officer has brought several years of military experience to his role with the city.
Sleasman issued proclamations praising Derk and other officers for their performance in recent investigations and emergency situations.
Derk and Officer Matthew Reeves were singled out for their legwork in identifying a suspect in the Aug. 1 robbery of a teenage boy at knife-point.
Latrobe Detective Michael Wigand and school resource officer Robert Daerr were praised for quickly administering the nasal spray Narcan to help reverse drug overdoses in separate incidents this past summer.
Student honored for assist with police outreach
Council presented its semi-annual Greater Latrobe School District Student Showcase award to Megan Kellerman, 17, a high school senior. Kellerman was recognized for her volunteer efforts as student coordinator for the police department’s annual National Night Out community outreach event.
She helped run a concession stand at the event and helped participating sponsors set up displays while recruiting fellow students to pitch in.
Kellerman said she’s considering a career in medicine, specifically pediatrics. “I love kids,” she said.
Her school principal, Jon Mains, said Kellerman is “kind, she’s compassionate and, most importantly to me, she always smiles.”
Jeff Himler is a TribLive reporter covering Greater Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Mt. Pleasant Area and Derry Area school districts and their communities. He also reports on transportation issues. A journalist for more than three decades, he enjoys delving into local history. He can be reached at jhimler@triblive.com.
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