2016 Law Enforcement Awards
Award of Valor
Michael R. Lutz
Deputy Sheriff
York County Sheriff's Office
Deputy Lutz is a six-year veteran of the York County Sheriff's Office. He is currently assigned to the Criminal Response Unit. He previously served in the Central Booking Division. He is the recipient a Life Saving Medal, the Curtis D. Sowers Medal, the Line of Duty Injury Medal, and the Medal of Valor.
Lutz was born in York, and is a 1999 graduate of Red Lion Area High School and a 2001 graduate of the York Technical Institute. Lutz served in the United States Army from 1999 to 2014, and was honorably discharged at the rank of Staff Sergeant. He received three Army Achievement Medals, an Army Commendation Medal for Service in Iraq, and was knighted into the Order of St. George, Patron Saint of Cavalry. He is a member of the American Legion Post 0001.
He is married, and has two children. He is active in his local church, and enjoys weight training.
On Thursday June 9, 2016, Lutz and other deputies responded to 974 East Philadelphia Street to assist York City Police with serving a warrant for escape on a subject that was reported to be armed. Deputy Lutz and a city officer were assigned to secure the front of the residence and cover the adjacent breezeways while other officers advanced to the rear of the property.
Lutz positioned himself at a breezeway, and as officers converged Lutz took the breezeway where he encountered the suspect. The suspect disobeyed repeated commands to show his hands, and turned away from Lutz, reaching into a bag. Lutz grabbed the suspect, and continued giving commands to show his hands. The suspect turned toward Lutz, brandishing a handgun, and fired multiple shots at Lutz, striking his face and hand.
Lutz, despite being wounded and bleeding profusely, returned fire, striking the suspect several times, ending the threat before the suspect could harm other officers or the public.
Nominated by Lieutenant David Allison
2016 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year
Drew Heistand
Staff Sergeant
Hellam Township Police Department
Sergeant Heistand is a fifteen-year veteran of law enforcement. He previously served with the Wrightsville Police Department and Hummelstown Police Department, and was hired by the Hellam Township Police Department in September of 2003. He is assigned as a staff sergeant, and is second in command. He previously served as a patrol sergeant. He has received citations for meritorious conduct, good conduct, a police commendation and an Award of Excellence.
Heistand was born in Lancaster, and is a graduate of Manheim High School. He graduated Elizabethtown College with a BS in criminal justice and a Masters in strategic leadership.
Heistand is married to Billie Jo, and has two children, Eva and Jenna. He teaches bicycle safety, is involved in Junior Achievement and provides safety training for elderly members of his church.
Sergeant Heistand is a humble and intelligent man who is always working hard behind the scenes. He keeps all of the gears of his department turning in the right direction. He is always looking for ways to make his department credible to the community by employing new policies such as procedural justice, police legitimacy and state accreditation.
Sergeant Heistand finished his Bachelor's degree while working rotating shifts as a patrol officer and after his promotion to sergeant earned his Master's degree.
Sergeant Hiestand was a certified Motor Carrier Enforcement Officer for several years before being promoted to staff sergeant. He manages the department's Aggressive Driving, Buckle Up, Safe Kids and PA K-12 Traffic Safety Educational programs. He acquires grant funding and manages the funds and paperwork required of each officer participating in the programs. He is the administrator for all of the department's operating systems, and seeks out classes to further the education of the department's officers.
In 2016, the department had been without a chief for two months, an officer on administrative leave and other problems to handle. Working with the new chief, he aided in bringing the department back on solid ground and into the 21st century. He earned the Excellence Award at the department's first annual awards ceremony.
Nominated by Chief J. Douglas Pollock
2016 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Nominee
Joshua Poplin
Police Officer
Southwestern Regional Police Department
Officer Poplin is a two-year veteran of the Southwestern Regional Police Department, where he is currently assigned as a patrol officer. He previously served with York County Sheriff's Office as a field training officer, and with the Hellam Township Police Department as a patrol officer. He is the recipient of the DUI Top Gun Award twice.
Poplin was born in Florence, Arizona, and is a graduate of North Carroll High School in Maryland. He has attended North American Trade School and Harrisburg Area Community College.
Poplin is married to Emily, and has a son, Emmett.
Officer Poplin is an officer that has always put forth an outstanding effort for the department and the four communities it serves. He has accomplished much in his short period of time with the department.
Poplin was a leader in the department with traffic enforcement and arrests, with 483 traffic contacts and 58 arrest cases to include many charges in each case. He is a firearms instructor and attended training at a NRA facility in Alabama.
Poplin was awarded the Top Gun award by the PA DUI Association for 50+ DUI arrests. The award is given to a select group of officers who have gone above and beyond searching for and prosecuting intoxicated motorists. 368 people died in Pennsylvania last year at the hands of intoxicated motorists.
Poplin has a sincere interest and desire to assist victims of crime. He performs these tasks in a very humane, concerning and understanding manner. He has a calm demeanor with makes others around him perform even better.
Nominated by Chief Gregory M. Bean
