Rising Through the Ranks

On May 3, the MCSO we celebrated the promotion of former Deputy Brandi Schuettler to the rank of Corporal.

Corporal Schuettler is a native of West Norriton Township and graduated from Norristown Area High School before heading to Temple University to study psychology.

She was hired by the MCSO in 2016 and worked in the courts division before moving on to the warrants division, where she has remained in various capacities ever since.

She joined the bomb squad in 2018, becoming the first woman deputy to join the unit, and she played a significant role in the office’s Diversity Task Force, which revised the sheriff's office mission statement.

She is also a firearms instructor and has won several individual and team marksmanship awards from the Pennsylvania Deputy Sheriff's Association.

Cpl. Schuettler has always had a strong commitment to community service and took the baton from retired Lt. JoAnne Lawlor to help organize the MCSO’s Pink Badge Fundraiser, which raises money and awareness each October in the fight against breast cancer.

She has received letters of appreciation from the East Norriton, West Norriton and Whitemarsh police departments, as well as the Montgomery County Women’s Center.

Her tenacity, professionalism, and willingness to take on any task has earned her the respect of her colleagues and supervisors alike.

Congratulations Corporal Schuettler on this well-deserved promotion!

Life Savers

It's that time of year again. The American Red Cross Battle of the Badges is back! Blood donations are always needed through the summer months, so the MCSO has once again teamed up with the Norristown Fire Department and the Norristown Police Department in the friendly competition where everyone wins!

Please come out and help your community with the life-saving gift of a blood or power red donation. And don't forget to let them know the Montgomery County Pennsylvania Sheriff's Office sent you!

On May 11, Lt. Thomas McDonald joined members of other area law enforcement agencies and first responders at the King of Prussia Mall for the Race for Peace. Founded by community activist Andrew Howell in 2016 to "strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve," the community meet-and-greet is based on the philosophy that "communication and understanding are forged in times of peace, rather than conflict and stress." We also got to catch up with some old friends like former MCSO Chief Deputy and current Tredyffrin Township Police Chief Mike Beaty and former MCSO Deputy and current Bridgeport Police Officer Matt Stead. Thanks to all the organizers, volunteers and officials who make this great event happen each year.

Dozens gathered at the Montgomery County courthouse on May 14 to congratulate the latest graduating class of the county's drug treatment court. Sheriff Kilkenny and Lt. Mark Huzzard, the MCSO's treatment and diversionary courts liaison, were proud to join presiding Judge Steven T. O'Neill, who spoke passionately about the hard work of rehabilitation and the ultimate effectiveness of the program in helping graduates reclaim their lives and relationships.

Special thanks to all the participating judges, public defenders, health and human services providers, community treatment advocates, and supportive friends who played crucial roles in this milestone on the road to recovery for these resilient Montco residents.  

Welcome Aboard

The MCSO welcomed seven new deputies this May. 

On May 3, deputies Derek Lewis, Jr., Deputy Isaac Jones, Deputy Delanie Boyk and Deputy Duane Gordon, Jr. were sworn in:  

Deputy Lewis is a graduate of Willingboro High School in New Jersey. He studied Criminal Justice at Holy Family University and also attended culinary school. Prior to coming on board, he spent nearly six years with the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office. He is also a former Philadelphia Police Officer and Lincoln University Campus Police Officer.

Deputy Jones was home-schooled through the Buxmont Christian Education Institute. He worked for nearly a decade at Ike’s HVAC Inc., where he was a technician, but also President and CEO. He also has experience as a commercial truck driver.

Deputy Boyk graduated from Archbishop Wood High School and earned bachelor's degrees in Criminal Justice and Accounting from West Chester University. Her previous job was as a pretrial officer for Montgomery County Pretrial Services, and she has intern experience with the Delaware County Criminal Investigation Division.

Deputy Gordon graduated from Mercy Career and Technical High School and recently earned a degree in Criminal Justice, with a minor in Psychology from Chestnut Hill College. He is a familiar face around the office having interned for us last summer in the Civil, Courts and Warrants divisions.

On May 29, deputies John Pechy, Lauren Hussey and Benjamin Atkinson were sworn in:

Deputy Pechy graduated from Downingtown High School and studied Liberal Arts at Delaware County Community College. He has extensive experience as a manager, estimator and business developer for graphics and label companies.

Deputy Hussey is a graduate of Lewisburg High School and studied at Arcadia University. She is a former correctional officer at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility and has worked in the county’s Adult Probation and Public Safety departments. She also has experience working for the SPCA and the Red Cross.

Deputy Atkinson is a graduate of Father Judge High School and graduated from Eastern Gateway Community College with a degree in Criminal Justice. He also studied computer forensics and has experience as an export shipping coordinator and a transportation security officer.

Congratulations to all and welcome aboard!

Doggone Impressive

Congratulations to Deputy Sean Forsyth and K9 Phinney who graduated from Scent Detection, Tracking, and Evidence School at the Penn Vet Working Dog Center on May 10. Their achievement represents the culmination of the hard work they put in over months of training, including their graduation from Patrol School last November. It is also a testament to the dedication of the trainers, administrators, and foster families who facilitate the process. There were also 10 other K9 teams who graduated alongside Forsyth and Phinney, ready to serve and protect throughout the region.

Deputy Forsyth and Phinney weren't the only members of our K9 unit to be acknowledged this month. Both of the other dogs in the unit; Deputy Cody Brockmeyer's K-9 partner

Cash; and Corporal Trevor Keller's K9 partner Skiff were officially sworn in and received their K9 badges during a special ceremony at the courthouse on May 29.  

Attested Development

The MCSO's recent SWAT and FTO training graduates were also recognized for their impressive accomplishments during the special ceremony on May 29.

The SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) team consists of highly trained and dedicated officers who volunteer to respond to some of the most dangerous and high-risk situations. FTOs (Field Training Officers) are responsible for training and evaluating newer deputies to ensure they develop to the highest standards of competence and professionalism.

Congratulations to Deputy Rebecca Dolenti, who completed her SWAT training in 2023 along with deputies Christopher Berrang and Michael Caffrey, who were working details and could not attend the ceremony. Deputies Mathew Masone, John Siletta and Zachary Fairchild received pins for completing their SWAT training this year.

Deputies Harrison Bland, McKenzie Scott and Matthew Masone were recognized for completing their FTO (Field Training Officer) requirements. FTO Supervisor Sgt. Ronald Cole joined Sheriff Kilkenny and Chief Adam Berry in congratulating them. 

All in the Family

It was our pleasure to welcome some members of the Montgomery County government team to the MCSO to familiarize them with Sheriff's Office duties. On May 9, Montgomery County Solicitor Ben Field, Intergovernmental Affairs Manager Judy Trombetta, and Coroner, Dr. Janie Darby, and her team of deputy coroners, Alexander Balacki, Casey McAlpine and Amanda Brown stopped by for a chat with the Sheriff and Chief, an informational presentation, and a K9 demonstration. The group also got to hear from Deputy Joseph Ashmore, a member of th Veteran Response Team, who was recently commended for using his VRT training and personal connection to aid a Veteran in crisis at the courthouse. We appreciate all they do for the county and always look forward to opportunities to connect with our county colleagues.

Class Acts

Kudos to Deputies Justin Pratt and Taylor McKee on graduating from the Pennsylvania Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff Education and Training Program at Penn State on May 17. They were among a class of 35 deputy sheriffs from counties across the commonwealth who completed the intensive 19-week certification program. Deputy Pratt also earned the overall best student award and was featured in an article about the program's 40th anniversary on the Pennsylvania Pressroom's official state government website.

Congratulations on a job well done! 

Strength in Numbers

On May 7, Sheriffs from across the Commonwealth convened in Harrisburg to meet with the legislators who represent their respective jurisdictions as part of the Pennsylvania Sheriff’s Association Day on the Hill. 

Topics included the PSA's opposition to proposed legislation allowing for ‘private sellers’ for sheriff’s sales, and the organization's support for initiating legislation that would clarify and fortify the statutory authorities of sheriff’s deputies. Sheriff Kilkenny currently serves as First Vice President of the association and will be assuming the role of President at their annual conference this summer.