| |
|
|
| Montour County sheriff honored with award
|
|
Published April 07, 2008 08:30 am - Ray Gerringer seemed destined for a career in law enforcement after spending his childhood watching several family members pave the way. All he needed was a little nudge.
Montour County sheriff honored with award
By Jaime North
The Daily Item
DANVILLE -- Ray Gerringer seemed destined for a career in law enforcement after spending his childhood watching several family members pave the way.
All he needed was a little nudge.
That opportunity came when former Montour County Sheriff Fred Shepperson offered him a job in 1978 as a corrections officer. Thirty years later, Gerringer has taken over for his mentor as county sheriff and is now the one guiding young law enforcement officers.
"The most important thing (Shepperson) always told me was that law enforcement has to work together," said Gerringer, who was honored Friday night by the Pennsylvania State Elks Association for his devotion to community service and work in federal investigations. "No matter what your badge reads, you do what's right for the community and to keep the people safe."
Gerringer was given the prestigious Enrique S. Camarena Award, named for the former federal Drug Enforcement Agency agent who was kidnapped in 1985 and tortured by drug traffickers. Gerringer, who chosen among 10 nominees from across the state, was humbled by the recognition and accepted the award during a celebration at the Danville Elks Club on behalf of all law enforcement officers.
"This is very important to me, and I'm very much honored," Gerringer said. "Everything I've done in my career has been a team effort, and we will continue to do things as a team."
Several of Gerringer's closest friends and fellow law enforcement officials spoke about the impact he has had on combating crime in area.
"When I moved to the area with my wife, no sooner did I hear about this horrendous shooting case at Geisinger (Medical Center)," said Jack McCann, an assistant U.S. Attorney. "I kept hearing about all of the work of this guy named Ray, who orchestrated the investigation and pursuit of these two guys who shot and killed a prison guard. Because of his effort, both defendants ended up in jail."
Mike Hudak, a retired FBI agent, said Gerringer best defines what law enforcement is about.
"When you bust through a door on a search warrant, and you're scared, it's hard to describe the trust you share with your fellow officers," Hudak said. "It carries over to everyday life, and Ray has continued to strengthen those bonds from the first day on the job.
"If I ever had a reputation in the FBI it is because of guys like Ray. Truth be known, the FBI rides on the shirttails of guys like him."
Montour County District Attorney Robert Buehner Jr., who grew up with Gerringer, said the award was long overdue and attributed to Gerringer's strong professionalism, commitment to family and community.
"I remember him as the little kid in the neighborhood watching the big boys play basketball," Buehner said. "I don't know who was more surprised when he became sheriff or when I became district attorney. Back then, the only thing we knew about the law was how to evade it."
Buehner highlighted three big cases that Gerringer played significant roles in solving. One included the largest Korean money laundering case ever in the country, according to Buehner.
"This Korean guy purchased a local farm and turned it into a golf course," Buehner said. "We knew something was up and figured it was for drugs. Ray stuck with it, and we ended up shutting down a huge money laundering operation coming from New York City into Montour County." |
| |
| |
|
|
