CLEARFIELD – Clearfield County District Attorney Ryan P. Sayers announced, at the end of National Police Week, the recipients of the Officer of the Year Award and Civilian of the Year Award for calendar year 2023, and provided full biographies for all of the nominees.
Officer of the Year
Awardee – Cpl. Ian MacTavish (Pennsylvania State Police, DuBois)
Cpl. Ian MacTavish of the Pennsylvania State Police served Clearfield County at the DuBois station from January 2017 until April 2024, when he was promoted to corporal and reassigned to PSP, Lewis Run.
In February of 2023, then-Trooper MacTavish was on routine patrol when he was dispatched to a multi-vehicle accident on Interstate 80 between the DuBois and Penfield exits.
Within three minutes of being dispatched, MacTavish arrived on-scene and he saw that a commercial vehicle and SUV had collided with the SUV coming to rest in the median.
MacTavish was quick to make the proper notifications for EMS while rendering aide to a 17-year-old with critical injuries.
MacTavish held up the juvenile’s head upright, kept her airway open and attempted to keep her conscious until emergency medical services arrived on-scene.
A doctor informed the DuBois station commander that, in his professional opinion, MacTavish’s actions that day are the only reason that 17-year-old is alive today.
However, that was not the end of MacTavish’s involvement because he continued to be in contact with the family to check on the progress that the 17-year-old was making.
The family stated that they were grateful for the professionalism and caring attitude that MacTavish displayed throughout the ordeal.
MacTavish is also involved in his community. He is an active member with the Treasure Lake Church, helps out with the Challenger League in DuBois and raises funds for the Miracle League of South Hills.
The individual that nominated MacTavish said, “I feel that MacTavish should be recognized for not only his actions, but also his empathetic attitude to this family who experienced a terrifying and life-changing event.”
Sayers added, “The actions of Corporal MacTavish on that day are truly heroic, especially to that family, but it is also important to note the compassion that MacTavish has in handling such a difficult situation. This is why he is deserving of this honor.”
Nominee – Cpl. Matthew Robertson (DuBois City Police Department)
Cpl. Matthew Robertson is the detective with the DuBois City Police Department, and has served the City of DuBois for decades.
As a detective, Robertson applies his considerable experience and investigative tenacity to bring some of the most serious and complicated cases to court.
Robertson also works tirelessly to support the investigative efforts of other officers in the DuBois City Police Department and other departments around Clearfield County.
In addition, to a large case load, Robertson is active in his community, especially with his congregation as Tri County Church in DuBois.
Nominee – Trooper Matthew Peacock (Pennsylvania State Police, Woodland)
Trooper Matthew Peacock is assigned to the criminal investigative unit at PSP Woodland, and has been with the Pennsylvania State Police for over 20 years.
As part of his duties in 2023, Peacock investigated 13 sexual-related incidents, eight deaths and numerous other criminal incidents.
Along with completing his own assignments, Peacock assisted with a number of other investigations via conducting interviews, search warrants and completing reports.
Additionally, Peacock’s extensive experience is also utilized to train new criminal investigators and he is a source of information for patrol unit troopers.
Outside of his work at PSP Woodland, Peacock is active in his community with his most notable service being a coach to several local sports teams.
Nominee – Officer Nick Kovalick (Clearfield Regional Police Department)
Officer Nick Kovalick is a patrolman with the Clearfield Regional Police Department, and is assigned as a School Resource Officer to the Clearfield Area Elementary School.
Kovalick has developed a Junior Officer program through the school’s Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support Program.
When students earn enough “Bison Bucks” by displaying respectful, responsible or kind behaviors throughout the school day, then they are able to ‘buy a day’ with Kovalick.
Furthermore, Kovalick has purchased police vests that students can wear during the day and they get to help him with various activities at the school.
In addition to the positive role model that Kovalick exhibits to the students, he is also vigilant when it comes to school safety.
He is proactive and an innovative thinker when it comes to keeping the building safe. His ideas and awareness have been proven throughout the course of the school year, whether it was reassuring a parent of a missing student who did not get on the bus or organizing a school-wide safety drill.
Nominee – Officer Derek Reed (Clearfield Regional Police Department)
Officer Derek Reed is a patrolman with the Clearfield Regional Police Department.
Reed, even though he spent a large portion of the year recovering from shoulder surgery, was able to be a proactive officer with numerous arrests relating to the drugs that are plaguing the community.
In addition, Reed is self-motivated and will regularly take the Enradd Speed detection device out and run traffic enforcement on his own, which is to ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians using the roadways in Clearfield Borough and Lawrence Township.
Reed is also an active in assisting with numerous school and community activities to include speaking with the Cub and Boy Scouts, attending events at St. Francis Elementary School and handing out stickers and mementos to children in the community.
Nominee – Officer Zayne Rhed (DuBois City Police Department)
Officer Zayne Rhed and K9 Ace are the Canine Unit in the DuBois City Police Department. Rhed and K9 Ace have been integral in taking a large amount of rugs off the streets of Clearfield County.
Whether he is on- or off-duty, Rhed will respond to incidents across the county and use his specialized knowledge and training to help with the detection of drugs in vehicles and homes.
Besides being an officer with the DuBois City Police Department, Rhed is also a Special Deputy U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
When Rhed is not fighting the drug epidemic, he goes into schools in the area to educate children about drugs and regularly appears at events to interact with members of the community.
Civilian of the Year
Awardee – Priority Media (Sunny 106 & Connect FM in DuBois)
Priority Media, which operates Sunny 106 and Connect FM in DuBois, has been a constant supporter of the local law enforcement community.
Priority Media works closely with the DuBois City Police Department, Sandy Township Police Department, and the District Attorney for the “Think! Don’t Drink” yearly campaign.
This campaign includes radio commercials and the mock crash for the DuBois Area High School each May.
In addition, Connect FM regularly makes time for law enforcement to speak on the air about issues and important topics effecting the local communities.
Finally, Priority Media provides breakfast and lunch to the police departments each Jan. 9 for National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.
“Our law enforcement agencies play a vital role in our communities, and it is important to recognize those persons and businesses that support our men and women of the Thin Blue Line,” said Sayers.
“Priority Media stands out as such a business for their involvement in connecting law enforcement with the community, and supporting our officers in their mission.”
Nominee – Mike Weber (Auto Undertaker in DuBois)
Mike Weber as Auto Undertaker in DuBois supports the mission of the DuBois City Police Department and surrounding departments.
Without seeking any recognition, Weber has given generously towards the Police Canine Fund, which helps support the K9 unit within the DuBois City Police Department.
Additionally, Weber donates the use of vehicles for community events and allows access to his property for canine trainings.
He is always quick to respond to tow vehicles for accidents and criminal investigations.
Nominee – Bernice James (Family Dollar in Clearfield)
Bernice James from the Family Dollar on South Second Street in Clearfield regularly supports the efforts of the Clearfield Regional Police Department.
The Family Dollar goes above and beyond to support the Clearfield Regional Police Department by providing donations of snacks and water to the department.
These help provide sustenance to the officers, but also victims that might be at the police station. Additionally, the Family Dollar participates in fundraisers that benefit the police department and the community of Clearfield as a whole.