Latrobe promotes police sergeant, praises officers who helped with federal drug bust

The Latrobe Police Department on Monday recognized the promotion of one of its members, to the rank of sergeant, and the contribution of several other city officers to the indictment of 25 suspects in a regional drug-trafficking bust.

Ron Keslar was promoted from detective to sergeant in a pinning ceremony conducted by Keslar’s father, Ronald Keslar, of Saltlick Township, Fayette County.

The veteran officer, who was appointed became a detective in 2018, succeeds retiring Sgt. Nunzio Santo Colombo, who completed his last day of work on May 28 after 36 years of service. Keslar had been filling in as sergeant since then.

Police Chief John Sleasman praised Keslar as “a super guy. We’re glad to have him with us.

“He has a strong willingness to share his knowledge and experience with our younger officers.”

“We all work together as a team,” Keslar said.

Keslar was praised by city officials for his persistence early this year, when he assisted a female patient who was experiencing a drug overdose. She became responsive after he administered five doses of Narcan, an opioid overdose reversal drug.

Keslar initiated the department’s Narcan program about four years ago and is co-coordinator of a local task force that targets motorists who drive under the influence of alcohol or other substances.

He has helped to replace the department’s ballistic vests when they’ve reached the end of their usefulness — securing about $3,000 annually, enough for three new vests.

Keslar will receive a 6% boost to his pay as part of his promotion.

Sleasman also praised Latrobe Detective Mike Wigand and officers Matthew Reeves and Sean Grosso for their participation in an investigation that led to the trafficking indictments on Wednesday.

Several Latrobe residents were among those indicted by a federal grand jury for their alleged roles in a fentanyl-trafficking ring extending from eastern parts of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County to the Latrobe area.

In addition to fentanyl, authorities seized crack, heroin, guns and money in the bust, which resulted from a five-month wiretap investigation.

Wigand took a leading role in the investigation, sparked by an overdose involving fentanyl-laced heroin, Sleasman said. Wigand was sworn in as a special investigator for a state police and FBI task force, along with the two other officers and Sleasman, the chief said.

Wigand “sought out assistance from the FBI and other resources, which led to countless hours of investigation, surveillance details, undercover purchase of narcotics and intelligence-gathering of anyone involved in narcotics trafficking in and around the Latrobe area,” Sleasman said. “It started as a seemingly small incident in Latrobe and led to a large-scale federal heroin distribution case.

“The residents and visitors of Latrobe can rest a little easier knowing those responsible for a large portion of heroin coming into Latrobe recently will be held accountable.”