Newtown Township Police announced that in early September, Police Officer Shane VanDerMark performed his final Bucks County Radio sign-off and retired from the department after 28 years of law enforcement service.
Prior to his time with the Newtown Township Police Department, VanDerMark previously worked for the Upper Makefield Township Police Department. He was then hired by Chief Martin Duffy and joined Newtown Twp. Police on September 24, 1997.
Credit: Newtown Township Police
Throughout his career, he served as a D.A.R.E. Officer and served on the Major Incident Response Team (M.I.R.T.) and the township’s Highway Patrol Motorcycle Unit. He received several commendations, including one for bravery for an outstanding arrest involving an armed and dangerous subject that occurred in 2015. He also was awarded one for life-saving during an off-duty incident in 2019. He also received countless letters of appreciation and recognition from the community and neighboring police departments, officials said.
VanDerMark retired on September 5 this year. Words often used to describe him were kind, understanding, helpful, fabulous, professional, personal, respectful, persistent, sensitive, considerate, and prompt. VanDerMark was an exemplary member of this department. Newtown Twp. thanks Officer VanDerMark for his service and wishes him a long, happy, and healthy retirement, said a department spokesperson.