Several police officers from across the Lehigh Valley were recently honored for their efforts to protect residents and those traveling through the Valley on interstate highways from the dangers of drunk driving, and the importance of using seat belts and restraint systems.

The Lehigh Valley DUI/Traffic Safety Task Force presented these outstanding police officers with Top Gun Awards for their vigilance in maintaining a safer environment for drivers, their passengers and unsuspecting innocents who may become victims of a drunk driver.

Task Force representatives chose the July 4th holiday week to emphasize three dangerous b's – booze, belts and burns – including fireworks safety, to present the awards at the East Side Fire Station, Allentown.

Upper Macungie Township Police Sgt. Dathan Schlegel received two Top Gun Awards; one for DUI, the other for Traffic Citations for making 25 DUI arrests and issuing 1,612 traffic citations.

Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Michael Hodgskin, Troop M Bethlehem, earned the Top Gun DUI Award for making 53 DUI arrests, and Trooper Patrick Dawe, Troop M Fogelsville, received the Top Gun Traffic Citation Award for issuing 518 traffic citations.

Allentown Patrolman Craig Berger earned the Top Gun DUI Award for making 83 DUI arrests, and Bethlehem Police Officer Michael Manfredo received the Top Gun Traffic Citation Award for issuing 1,701 traffic citations.

Freemansburg Patrolman Jonathan Itterly earned the Top Gun DUI Award for making 59 DUI arrests, and Wilson Borough Patrolman James Fritts received the Top Gun Traffic Citation Award for issuing 409 traffic citations.

Not a day goes by, as I drive to work in South Whitehall from my home in Kempton, I do not worry about some drunk driver swerving over the center line and hitting my car head-on.

I have reported on too many fatal crashes to not know these drunks need their booze, whether it is early in the morning or late at night.

I also cannot count the number of times some idiot driver has passed my car going 70 mph in a 45 mph zone.

The police officers who received the Top Gun Awards more than deserve the honors, if just for the fact they may have saved some innocent life.

Congratulations and keep up the good work.

Deb Palmieri

editor

Parkland Press

Northwestern Press