‘It is so much more than a job:’ York County District Attorney’s Office honors 12

He gently cared for the 4-year-old girl, attempting first aid until EMS arrived to the scene of the hit-and-run.

Hanover Borough Police Sgt. Matthew Waltersdorff knew that she was dying. But he carried the child and remained with her in the back of the ambulance anyway on Nov. 22, 2016.

Then, he immediately switched gears, shifting into his role as a collision reconstructionist. Waltersdorff and Hanover Borough Police Officer Jared Auman — the lead investigator who'd follow up on every lead — were determined to find out who killed Dakota Wright.

It was a meticulous process. But on the third anniversary of the little girl’s death, the driver, Tony Shower Jr., 35, of York, was found guilty of hit-and-run and DUI. He was later sentenced to six to 15 years in prison.

“This was a very complex case,” said First Assistant District Attorney Tim Barker, who was the lead prosecutor at trial. “We could’ve easily made a mistake and prosecuted an innocent person. But we didn’t. Instead, we convicted the guilty.”

For the second time, the York County District Attorney’s Office on Friday held an awards ceremony and honored 12 people, including Waltersdorff and Auman. The event recognized everyone from police officers and assistant district attorneys to employees who work behind the scenes.

“I look around this room right now, and I see a lot of people who are public servants. And I say public servants because, as we think about what we do every day, it’s easy to sort of portray it as a job,” District Attorney Dave Sunday said. “But it is so much more than a job.”

FULL AWARD:Jared Auman and Matthew Waltersdorff

Here’s a look at the award winners:

Outstanding Service as a Citizen

First, LaQuinn Thompson, a 2011 graduate of William Penn Senior High School and a Pennsylvania College of Technology alumnus, was honored for his work to help create a safer and more viable York.

Thompson started the B.E.A.S.T. Initiative Push, a community outreach program for the youth that’s focused on inclusion through video games. He also works as director of community outreach for St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church, where he manages an afterschool program and runs a youth center.

“Simply by doing what he loves to do, LaQuinn Thompson is quietly changing the landscape of the City of York for the better,” Chief Deputy Prosecutor John Hamme said. “It is men like this that change the world.”

(The story continues after this video about the B.E.A.S.T. Initiative Push):

FULL AWARD:LaQuinn Thompson

Then, Marcy and Norman Laferte were recognized for their work starting the Delta Area Community Youth Night at the Peach Bottom Township Recreation Center in 2015.

People in the community came together amid the opioid epidemic to form the Mason-Dixon Anti-Drug Coalition.

The Lafertes and their team of volunteers put on activities every Thursday night for children 7 to 17 that range from arts and crafts to movies. More than 250 children, the district attorney said, have benefited from the program.

“The kids are our future,” Norman Laferte said. “It’s worth it. When we leave, we are blessed beyond anything,” he added.

FULL AWARD:Marcy and Norman Laferte

Outstanding Service as a Detective/Investigator

Besides Waltersdorff and Auman, York City Police Officer Vincent Monte, a more than nine-year veteran, was honored for his passion and dedication.

(He’s not pictured here because of the nature of his work.)

Monte works in a collaborative way with local, state and federal law enforcement partners, the DA said, and regularly assists with homicide and other violent crime investigations. He’s obtained probable cause for search warrants that have recovered numerous illegal firearms.

“I couldn’t do — everything that Dave Sunday said that I do, and my partners do — without the support of my parents, my wife and all my brothers and sisters at York city, my partners at the task force,” Monte said. “The district attorney’s office that prosecutes all the cases that we bring.”

Exceptional Service as an Employee of the District Attorney’s Office

Olivia Rudisill was recognized for her work in coordinating more than 600 extraditions for the York County District Attorney's Office.

Next, Kathleen Shive was acknowledged for her efforts and professionalism as a victim-witness coordinator who works with the Special Case Unit.

Monica Robinson, a case manager, was honored for her dedication, diligence and work ethic in managing the felony drug caseload.

And Jesse Coy, who leads the administrative operations at the Law Enforcement Center, was commended for his dedication and work.

FULL AWARD:Olivia Rudisill

FULL AWARD:Kathleen Shive

FULL AWARD:Monica Robinson

FULL AWARD:Jesse Coy

Exceptional Service as an Assistant District Attorney

Deputy Prosecutor Taylor Katherman was recognized for seeking justice for victims in cases involving physical and sexual abuse.

Katherman successfully prosecuted people including James Albright, 58, of Wellsville, who was sentenced to 78 1/4 to 156 1/2 years in prison for sexually assaulting a child.

“He’s hardworking, he’s humble, he’s compassionate and he’s fair,” First Deputy District Attorney Seth Bortner said. “He believes in the work that he does, he cares about the people that he fights for, he knows it’s the right thing to do.”

FULL AWARD:Taylor Katherman

Then, Senior Deputy Prosecutor Jennifer Tobias was honored for supervising a trial team as well as her willingness to help others in the office.

She’s litigated several complex and serious cases, including ones involving charges such as aggravated assault and possession with intent to deliver cocaine, Chief Deputy Prosecutor Chuck Murphy said.

Murphy said she’s affectionately known in the office as “Mama Jen” — a joking and loving nickname that’s based on her sound advice and calming voice.

Tobias thanked everyone from the executive and support staff to her family.

“Thank you, everybody,” Tobias said. “And I love my job.”

FULL AWARD:Jennifer Tobias

Contact Dylan Segelbaum at 717-771-2102.