A Lehigh County chief of police and an Allentown police sergeant received awards Dec. 13 for exemplary service at a luncheon of the Lehigh County Chiefs of Police Association at DeSales University, Center Valley.

Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin presented the 30th annual Col. John K. Schafer Memorial Award to Upper Macungie Township Police Chief Edgardo Colón.

Allentown Police Chief Keith Morris presented the Police Officer of the Year award to Sgt. Christopher Diehl.

The Schafer award is named in honor of a former Pennsylvania State Police commissioner who had a 23-year career with the state police, part of which was with Troop M Bethlehem.

Col. Schafer rose through ranks of the State Police to be appointed commissioner by Gov. Robert Casey in 1987.

Sadly, his tenure was cut short by his death from cancer later that year.

Chief Edgardo Colón was a 1991 graduate of the Pennsylvania State Police Academy.

During his career with the Pennsylvania State Police, which spanned over 20 years, he successfully commanded two PSP installations and served as assistant department disciplinary officer.

He was a crisis negotiator on the Emergency Response Team for 13 years, and he worked on several high-profile homicide investigations.

During his tenure with the PSP, Colón rose to the rank of lieutenant.

He received eight Significant Operation Awards between 1999 and 2010.

Chief Colón became the first chief of the Upper Macungie Township Police Department in August, 2012.

Since that time, he has endeavored to have the department provide professional police service, with special emphasis placed on public safety and community service.

Chief Colón has sought to implement innovative, progressive, and proven law enforcement techniques, practices and principles.

Last year, Colón spearheaded a program called “The Good Neighbor Coalition” to address concerns about traffic problems in Upper Macungie Township and beyond.

The goal of the coalition is to work toward the development of a strategic plan to effect positive changes through collaborative action.

Regular meetings and presentations have engaged the community, local businesses, and the trucking industry to achieve this objective.

The program has been very successful.

District Attorney Martin in presenting the award said of Chief Colón: “He has had an exemplary career in law enforcement for over 25 years, and he has consistently demonstrated excellence and professionalism in the conduct of his duties and in his life.”

Sgt. Diehl joined the Allentown Police Department in 2003 and worked as a patrol officer until 2007, when he became a detective with the Vice and Intelligence Unit.

Later that year, he was assigned to the Emergency Response Team as a tactical operator.

In 2011, he was assigned to the DEA as a task force operator and remained there until his promotion to sergeant in April of this year

Sgt. Diehl has received department commendations which include two citations for bravery and one citation for achievement for outstanding police work.

He was honored as the Task Officer of the Year by the Former Federal Narcotics Agents, Philadelphia Chapter.

He was also honored in October of this year by his fellow Allentown Police Officers, Queen City FOP Lodge 10, as their Officer of the Year.

On Feb. 16, the Allentown Police Department’s Emergency Response Team was called to an apartment at 616 N. Godfrey St. to serve a search warrant in reference to an ongoing homicide investigation.

Upon the team’s arrival, the occupant of the apartment, Walter Bratvold, asked who was there.

When the officers responded, Bratvold opened the door and immediately started firing two guns at the officers.

Officer Diehl was struck once in the upper arm and once in his bullet-resistant vest.

Despite his injuries, Officer Diehl and two other officers were able to return fire, striking Bratvold multiple times.

Fortunately, Officer Diehl made a complete recovery and returned to full duty several weeks after the incident.

Bratvold is awaiting trial.

In presenting the award to Sgt. Diehl, Chief Morris said: “Sgt. Diehl has consistently proven himself to be a leader in the Allentown Police Department and has carried out his duties with enthusiasm, motivation, and integrity throughout his career.”