Each year, our Lansdale Police Department takes some time out of their busy schedule to recognize and appreciate the efforts officers have made throughout the prior year and to recognize one of their own as Officer of the Year and leadership that person has contributed to our department. As a community, it is important for us to recognize these life-saving actions and to celebrate the officers, sergeants, Lieutenants, and staff that help keep Lansdale a better place to live, work, and play.
As mayor, I am happy to share a few of these stories with the community and value the hard work of everyone contributing to the safety of our community.
Meritorious Conduct: Sgt. Jeffrey Mallozzi, Ofc. John Ruel, Ofc. Scott Keeler, PSS Heather Freiling
on June 30, 2023, at 9:09 p.m., Lansdale Police Officers responded to the 100 block of East Main Street for a report of an adult male armed with a shotgun discharging rounds into the air. Officers quickly secured the area and located the suspect; however, he was not armed. Officers obtained a search warrant for the suspect’s residence and, upon execution, recovered a 12-gauge Remington shotgun. Utilizing good tactics and decision making, and without regard for their personal safety, these officers bravely confronted a potentially dangerous situation and resolved the matter without incident.
Meritorious Conduct: Lt. Ryan Devlin, Sgt. Richard Bubnis, Ofc. Matthew Erbele, Ofc. John Einreinhofner, Ofc. Drew Freed, Ofc. David Pelzer, and PSS Ashley Perry
On Sept. 12, 2023, at 12:11 p.m., officers from the Lansdale Police Department responded to the report of a shooting on Concord Drive in Lansdale Borough, after a subject called 9-1-1, stating to the call taker that he had just shot his wife and was going to take his own life.
Responding officers quickly secured the location and made entry into the house, where they encountered a male subject in the family room armed with a handgun. Officer Einreinhofer made several verbal attempts to have the male drop the handgun to no avail, whereupon the male subject fired one round into his torso. Officers immediately ran to the aid of the male subject, and another adult female in the living room who was suffering from a gunshot wound to the torso.
Through their heroic efforts, and that of responding emergency medical personnel, the male and female were transported from the scene, alive but in critical condition. These officers, without regard for their own safety, entered the residence where they knew an armed subject was waiting. Once located, they made attempts to disarm the subject to no avail, but then quickly worked to render aid to the male and his wife in what can only be described as a tragic situation.
Meritorious Conduct: Ofc. John Einreinhofner
On July 18, 2023, Ofc. Einreinhofner responded to a report of an abandoned automobile on the 300 block of York Avenue. Upon arrival, the officer observed the temporary registration did not appear valid. He continued to investigate the incident and developed further probable cause to search the vehicle, which led him to finding an altered VIN sticker.
The vehicle was subsequently impounded, and a search warrant yielded the correct VIN, showing the vehicle had been stolen from another jurisdiction in June. Also found was an altered title for this stolen vehicle, making the vehicle appear legitimate for resale.
Due to Ofc. Einreinhofer’s diligence in this investigation, in what was not at first a readily apparent crime, he was able to recover this stolen vehicle to be returned to the owner. An arrest was subsequently made, and the defendant is awaiting trial.
Meritorious Conduct: Det. Joel Greco
In November 2020, officers received a report from an adult female reporting rape allegations against a male relative which occurred between 1997 and 2004. Det. Greco was assigned as the lead investigator for this case, and over the next several months, he diligently worked to develop sufficient evidence for an arrest warrant.
In January 2021, an arrest warrant was issued for Brian Marchini, of Hatfield, charging him with rape and related offenses. In March 2023, Marchini was found guilty at trial and sentenced to 16 to 32 years in state prison.
Late sexual assault reports like this case are challenging investigations and can often be difficult to gather evidence for a prosecution due to the passage of time and lack of physical evidence. Clearly, this arrest is a testament to Det. Greco’s talents as a skilled professional investigator.
Officer of the Year: Sgt. Jeffrey Mallozzi
Each year, officers and staff come together and identify one person who has stood out amongst all. This award is made without the input of lieutenants, the chief of police, or myself, and is truly a reflection of leadership within the ranks and their day to day operations.
Sgt. Mallozzi came to Lansdale after serving prior with the New Britian Borough Police Department. During his 25-year service, he has served as a field training officer, officer in charge, accident reconstructionist, taser instructor, and lead instructor for the department’s firearms training unit. In 1999, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant and leads a squad of dedicated officers in the department’s patrol division. Sgt. Mallozzi is one of the most consistent and reliable people on the force, and we all are thrilled to see him recognized as 2024’s Officer of the Year for his persistent dedication to our community.
(Mayoral Musings is a weekly op-ed column submitted to North Penn Now, courtesy of Lansdale Borough Mayor Garry Herbert. The views expressed are his own and are not representative of North Penn Now or Lansdale Borough.)
See also:
Mayoral Musings: Commuting Parking Tickets Issued During Monday’s Snow Alert
Mayoral Musings: Special Election on Jan. 16
Mayoral Musings: 152 Years in the Making
