Governor Josh Shapiro recently honored 12 Pennsylvanians for their on-the-job heroism and on-the-job sacrifice, among those honored was State Trooper Martin Mack III of Bristol who was killed in the line of duty.
Mack, along with fellow Trooper Branden Sica, 29, of Montgomery County, also an awardee, were trying to rescue Reyes Rivera Oliveras, 28, who was walking on I-95 when all three were struck and killed by Jayana Webb, of Norristown, in 2022.
Mack, 33, lived in Bristol Borough with his wife and two daughters. He joined the Pennsylvania State Police in November 2014 and graduated as a member of the 141st cadet class. He was assigned to Troop K, which covers Philadelphia. Mack also served in the Pennsylvania National Guard.
“Every day, thousands of dedicated public servants go to work to protect the good people of Pennsylvania, putting their lives on the line to ensure the safety of our communities. I am honored to award these twelve Pennsylvania heroes with the inaugural Keystone First Responder Awards, recognizing them for their service and sacrifice,” said Shapiro. “Every Pennsylvanian deserves to be safe and feel safe in their community, and our firefighters, EMS personnel, state troopers, police officers, and corrections officers run towards danger when others flee. Today, we honor the memory of those who gave their lives in the line of duty and reaffirm our commitment to always support members of law enforcement, first responders, and their families, and work to make sure they have the tools and personnel they need to protect our communities.”
Webb pleaded guilty to three counts of third-degree murder, three counts of homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, and one count of driving under the influence. Webb was sentenced to 27.5 to 60 years in prison in November 2023.
Mack’s impact as a Trooper and on his immediate community could been seen in the thousands that showed up in Levittown on the overcast grey day he was laid to rest.
The inaugural awards were bestowed upon 11 Pennsylvanians who lost their lives and one who suffered a career-ending injury, all while in the line of duty.
In addition to Mack and Sica, six other law enforcement officers received the award, all who lost their lives in service to fellow Pennsylvanians.
- Sergeant Christopher D. Fitzgerald, Temple University Police Department
- Lieutenant William D. Lebo, City of Lebanon Police Department
- Chief Justin McIntire, Brackenridge Police Department
- Sergeant Richard Carrero Mendez, Philadelphia Police Department
- Trooper Jacques F. “Jay” Rougeau, Jr., Pennsylvania State Police
- Officer Sean L. Sluganski, McKeesport Police Department
“This award pays tribute to the extraordinary bravery of eight law enforcement officers who devoted their lives to public safety, to serving a purpose greater than themselves, and, when called upon, fearlessly gave their lives in service to their communities,” said Colonel Christopher Paris, Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP). “We proudly honor their selfless courage and unwavering dedication to duty, and we shall forever remember their sacrifice.”
Paramedic Nicholas A. Theofilis of Penn Hills EMS received the award posthumously for his dedicated service.
Two members of the Community Fire Company of New Tripoli received the award for paying the ultimate sacrifice while fighting a fire in a home.
- Assistant Chief Zachary T. A. Paris
- Firefighter Marvin Gruber
Corrections Officer James Britton, Jr. from the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (DOC) received the award after suffering a career-ending injury.
The Keystone First Responder Award was signed into law as Act 11 of 2024 by Governor Shapiro on May 8, 2024. Nominations for the 2024 awards were collected earlier this year by PEMA through an online form. Governor Shapiro selected the recipients for the 2024 awards upon recommendation from the awards committee, which carefully reviewed all nominations. The ten-person awards committee is made up of the PEMA Director, State Fire Commissioner, State Police Commissioner, DOH Bureau of Emergency Medical Services Director, Department of General Services Secretary, Pennsylvania State Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association President, Pennsylvania National Emergency Number Association Director, Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association President, and Pennsylvania State Coroners Association Director.
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