Honoring Those Who Serve and Protect

Members of the Lehigh community gathered earlier this week to commemorate National Police Week with an awards ceremony at the one-year-old headquarters of the campus police department on East Packer Avenue. The brief ceremony took place in the LUPD courtyard on an unseasonably cool May morning.

During his remarks, Ed Shupp, the long-standing chief of the Lehigh University Police Department, acknowledged the dedication of the members of his force, and of those who serve on police forces across the country.

“You are under incredible pressure, challenges and scrutiny,” he said. “You don’t do it for the money. You don’t do it for the glory. You do it because it’s the right thing to do and you’re called to it. And I applaud you all for it. What you all do every day to help people doesn’t make the news. That is why days like this are important.”

President John Simon thanked Shupp for his service to the university, and for leading the 35-person, fully accredited police force that serves the campus community and noted the important role of safety for students and their parents.

When he meets with them, he said, “I know what item will be at the top of their list of concerns: safety. I assure them that nothing is more important to us at Lehigh than the well-being of each and every one of the young women and men entrusted to our care. And I pledge that we will continue to do everything in our power to keep their sons and daughters safe.”

Simon said that he is able to make that pledge with full confidence, in large part due to the outstanding work the LUPD does.

“I think it’s very important to remember that the impact of the LUPD’s work goes well beyond numbers and statistics,” he said. “To a great extent, it is measured by the goodwill (the LUPD) generates through your community outreach–to the students at Broughal Middle School and Donegan Elementary, to the families and businesses in South Bethlehem, and to the many Lehigh students who live in the neighborhoods adjoining campus.

“There is no doubt that your job is a demanding one, and it’s often a thankless one,” he continued. “But it’s a job that each and every one of you does to the highest standards of professionalism. I thank you all for a job very well done.”

Also on hand for the ceremony was Bethlehem Police Department Chief Mark DiLuzio, who praised the productive, cooperative relationship between the city and university police departments.

At the conclusion of the remarks, Shupp presented the following awards:

Officer of the Year: 
Officer Drew Devery

Staff Member of the Year:
Felix Galvin

Police Commendation:
Officer Drew Devery
Lt. Chris Houtz
Corp. David Kokinda
Officer David Fleishman
Officer Gregory Nolf
Officer David Fleishman

Civilian Commendation:
Emily Porfiris
Dave Ramsay

Ten Year Award:
Charles Stokes
Elizabeth Miller Coleman

Educational Achievement:
David Fleishman
Ryan Kennedy
Scott Ednie
Mark Ferencin
Richard Holmes
Lora Martin
Gregory Nolf
Kevin O-Hay
Mark Schaller
John Torres
James Christman
Richard McGarr
Eric Smith
Christopher Houtz