Clearfield DA Announces Officer of the Year
Corporal Ian MacTavish of the Pennsylvania State Police, right, was recently named Officer of the Year for 2023 by Clearfield County District Attorney Ryan Sayers. (Photo courtesy of DA Sayers)
CLEARFIELD- Clearfield County District Attorney Ryan P. Sayers recently announced that Corporal Ian MacTavish of the Pennsylvania State Police has been named Officer of the Year for 2023.
MacTavish served at the DuBois station from January 2017 until April 2024, when he was promoted to Corporal and reassigned to PSP, Lewis Run, according to a press release.
In February of 2023, within three minutes of being dispatched to a multi-vehicle accident on Interstate 80 between the DuBois and Penfield exits, MacTavish arrived on scene where a commercial vehicle and SUV had collided.
MacTavish was quick to make the proper notifications for EMS while rendering aide to a 17-year-old with critical injuries. MacTavish held the juvenile’s head upright, kept her airway open, and attempted to keep her conscious until emergency medical services arrived on scene.
A doctor informed the DuBois station commander that, in his professional opinion, MacTavish’s actions that day are the only reason that teen is alive today.
However, that was not the end of MacTavish’s involvement because he continued to be in contact with the family to check on her progress. The family stated that they were grateful for the professionalism and caring attitude that MacTavish displayed throughout the ordeal.
MacTavish is an active member with the Treasure Lake Church, helps out with the Challenger League in DuBois, and raises funds for the Miracle League of South Hills.
The individual that nominated Corporal MacTavish said, “I feel that MacTavish should be recognized for not only his actions, but his empathetic attitude to this family who experienced a terrifying and life changing event.”
Sayers added, “the actions of Corporal MacTavish on that day are truly heroic, especially to that family, but it is also important to note the compassion that MacTavish has in handling such a difficult situation. This is why he is deserving of this honor!”
The other nominees were:
Corporal Matthew Robertson, the detective with the DuBois City Police Department, has served the City of DuBois for decades. Robertson applies his considerable experience and investigative tenacity to bring some of the most serious and complicated cases to court.
In addition, to his large case load, Robertson is active in his community, especially with his congregation at Tri County Church in DuBois.
Trooper Matthew Peacock of the criminal investigative unit at PSP Woodland, has been with the state police for over 20 years. As part of his duties in 2023, Peacock investigated thirteen sexual related incidents, eight deaths, and numerous other criminal incidents.
Additionally, Peacock’s extensive experience is also utilized to train new criminal investigators and he is a source of information for patrol unit troopers.
Outside of his work, Peacock is active in his community with his most notable service being a coach to several local sports teams.
Officer Nick Kovalick, a patrolman with the Clearfield Regional Police Department is assigned as a School Resource Officer to the Clearfield Area Elementary School.
Kovalick has developed a Junior Officer program through the school’s Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support Program. When students earn enough “Bison Bucks” by displaying respectful, responsible, or kind behaviors throughout the school day, then they are able to ‘buy a day”with Kovalick.
Kovalick is also vigilant when it comes to school safety. His ideas and awareness have been proven throughout the course of the school year, whether it was reassuring a parent of a missing student who did not get on the bus or organizing a school wide safety drill.
Officer Derek Reed is a patrolman with the Clearfield Regional Police Department. Reed, even though he spent a large portion of the year recovering from shoulder surgery, was able to make numerous arrests relating to the drugs that are plaguing the community. Reed is self-motivated and will regularly take the speed detection device out and run traffic enforcement on his own.
Reed is also an active in assisting with numerous school and community activities to include speaking with the Cub and Boy Scouts, attending events at St. Francis Elementary School, and handing out stickers and mementos to children in the community.
Officer Zayne Rhed and K9 Ace are the Canine Unit for the DuBois City Police Department. Rhed and Ace have been integral in taking a large amount of drugs off the streets. Whether he is on or off duty, Rhed will respond to incidents across the county and use his specialized knowledge and training to help with the detection of drugs in vehicles and homes. Rhed is also a Special Deputy United States Marshall for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
When Officer Rhed is not fighting the drug epidemic, he goes into schools in the area to educate children about drugs and regularly appears at events to interact with members of the community.