Officer and civilian of the year winners in Clearfield County
Clearfield County District Attorney Ryan Sayers (center) recently presented the Officer of the Year award to state police Trooper Kacey Osborne (left) of the Punxsutawney barracks and Civilian of the Year award to Dr. Mary Tatum of the Clearfield County Child Advocacy Center. — Courtesy photo
CLEARFIELD – Clearfield County District Attorney Ryan P. Sayers announced the recipients of the Officer of the Year Award and Civilian of the Year Award for calendar year 2024.
Officer of the Year
Trooper Kacey Osborne of the Pennsylvania State Police in Punxsutawney was named Officer of the Year, according to a press release.
In August 2024, Osborne initiated an investigation into the repeated rape and sexual assault of four female juvenile victims. The victims were six, five, three and two years old when the incidents began. The abuse lasted for about two years.
Through patience, diligence and a language barrier, Osborne was able to conduct an extensive and thorough criminal investigation and ultimately obtained a confession, which led to the arrest of the suspect.
“Trooper Osborne’s efforts protect the citizens of Clearfield County and the Commonwealth as a whole. She treats victims with compassion and respect and does her utmost to arrest perpetrators,” stated the individual who nominated Osborne.
“The purpose of this award is to recognize law enforcement officers who do outstanding work while in uniform and give back to their communities when off-duty,” Sayers said. “Trooper Osborne works hard on each case she has in Clearfield County, she continues to give of her time and talents to the community, and she is very deserving of this honor.”
Other nominees were Officer Ethan Fritz of the Clearfield Regional Police Department and Troopers Michael D’Andrea, Jeremy Bloom, Robert Marshall, Adam Bowser, Dylan Himes and Zachary Horwat, and Corporal Dennis Twigg of the Pennsylvania State Police at DuBois barracks.
On the job, Fritz responded to a armed suicidal subject who barricaded himself in a vehicle. Fritz placed himself in harm’s way as he approached the man who was holding a loaded gun. Without ever drawing a weapon himself, he started a dialogue and employed de-escalation techniques to diffuse the situation. After a tense two-hour stand-off, the man was ultimately taken safely into custody and directed toward appropriate mental health resources, according to Sayers.
The DuBois troopers all responded to a call on Sept. 29 regarding a 26-year-old male who broke into a residence and had been shot by a resident. He was reportedly struck four times in the torso and abdomen. The suspect fled the room but collapsed in the living room.
The troopers, upon arrival, immediately took action to secure the scene and ensure the safety of fellow troopers. They assisted in providing combat medical aid to the suspect, who was in a critical state, until EMS personnel arrived and then helped with getting him into the ambulance. The suspect was rushed into surgery to stabilize and repair internal damage. All the troopers involved in this incident acted courageously and swiftly. Their exceptional first responder care likely saved the suspect’s life, Sayers said.
Civilian of the Year
Dr. Mary Tatum, the director of the Clearfield County Child Advocacy Center, was named Civilian of the Year.
Tatum grew up in Coalport and is the daughter of retired Department of Corrections Quehanna Boot Camp Commander Henry “Hank” Tatum and Charlotte Tatum, who retired as a Department of Corrections registered nurse.
For almost a decade, Tatum has focused her efforts by helping children and law enforcement in Clearfield County through the Clearfield County Child Advocacy Center.
In this role, Tatum works with child victims of psychological, physical and sexual abuse to find their voice and get the help they need. She is vital to child abuse investigations, Sayers said.
Additionally, Tatum regularly helps to write grants to help law enforcement purchase much needed equipment and she creates protocols to streamline processes in child abuse cases.
“Dr. Tatum plays a major role in the law enforcement community of Clearfield County,” Sayers said. “She is regularly looking at ways to improve the system and to support the law enforcement agencies here in Clearfield County. Dr. Tatum is incredibly deserving of this award and on behalf of myself and the law enforcement community of Clearfield County, we thank you for everything that you do for the Thin Blue Line.”
The other nominee for this honor was Crystal Casher of PSP DuBois.
Casher has been an integral member of the Pennsylvania State Police family since April 2018. She has consistently demonstrated a positive influence through her eagerness to assist others, her integrity and her compassion.
“Casher continually prioritizes the needs of others, seeking ways to support them in overcoming their challenges. She goes above and beyond her official duties to assist fellow members at the station and demonstrates unwavering dedication each day she is at work,” Sayers said in a press release.