(Credit: West Norriton Township Police/Facebook)
Upper Gwynedd resident Chris Avery’s career marked by military service, lifesaving actions, and major investigations
A West Norriton Township Police sergeant with a career defined by leadership, lifesaving actions, and high-level investigative work has been named the Montgomery County Central Region Lt. Joseph P. Rosko SWAT Officer of the Year.
Sgt. Chris Avery, of Upper Gwynedd Township, received the honor in recognition of his performance on the Montgomery County SWAT team, where he serves as a member of the entry team and as the unit’s quartermaster.
The award recognizes officers who demonstrate exceptional ability and a commitment to “raising the bar,” qualities department officials said Avery exemplifies daily.
“This prestigious award honors individuals who demonstrate exceptional ability and a true commitment to ‘raising the bar,’” the department said in announcing the honor, noting Avery continues to set a high standard and represents the future leadership of the team.
A career built on service
Avery’s path to law enforcement leadership began with military service. A graduate of Hampton High School in VA, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2001 and served with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC. During his enlistment, he was deployed to Iraq and ultimately earned the rank of sergeant as a military police officer before his honorable discharge in 2006.
Following his military service, Avery joined the Collier County Sheriff’s Department in FL, serving on a special assignment team while attending Hodges University full-time. He graduated summa cum laude in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in science.
Avery joined the West Norriton Police Department in 2014 as a patrol officer and also served as a member of the Montgomery County Drug Task Force. His early impact was quickly recognized, earning the American Legion’s Frank C. Parker Post 901 Officer of the Year award twice, in 2016 and 2018.
He was promoted to corporal in June 2019 and has continued to build a reputation for both proactive policing and leadership in critical situations.
Lifesaving action on the bridge
Among Avery’s most notable moments came in May 2020, when he and Lower Providence Sgt. Matthew Kuhnert responded to a report of a suicidal man on a bridge near South Trooper Road.
According to the commendation, the man had already climbed over the railing and was sitting on the edge, refusing to respond to officers. As attempts to talk him to safety failed, Avery and Kuhnert made the split-second decision to climb over the railing themselves.
The two officers physically pulled the man back to safety and into custody, ultimately ensuring he received medical evaluation and treatment.
Major investigations and proactive policing
In addition to crisis response, Avery has played a key role in major criminal investigations.
In 2020, he was commended for his work in a drug trafficking case that led to the arrest of two major dealers operating in Norristown. Working alongside a detective, Avery helped develop an informant, conduct surveillance, and coordinate controlled purchases that culminated in a search warrant. The operation resulted in the seizure of significant quantities of crystal methamphetamine, cocaine mixed with fentanyl, pure fentanyl, and $4,000.
His proactive policing efforts have also extended to property crime prevention. In 2021, Avery identified suspicious activity behind Norristown Area High School that led to the arrest of a suspect attempting to steal catalytic converters. His observations of tools, evidence at the scene, and inconsistencies in the suspect’s story allowed officers to intervene before the theft was completed—potentially preventing thousands of dollars in damage.
Recognition from peers and community
The SWAT Officer of the Year honor adds to a growing list of accolades for Avery, whose work has drawn praise from colleagues, community members, and regional partners.
Messages of congratulations poured in following the announcement, including recognition from local organizations, businesses, and neighboring police departments.
Officials said Avery’s continued dedication, both on patrol and as part of the county’s specialized response team, reflects a commitment not only to his department but to public safety across the region.
As he continues in his role, department leaders pointed to Avery as an example of the professionalism, training, and leadership required in modern policing — and a key figure in shaping the future of the department and the SWAT team.
