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In Memory of Officer David M. Petzold

Thank you Southern Lehigh High School

Thank you Christopher Fritts and the Southern Lehigh Homecoming Court for supporting our organization! 

Congratulations to all nominated and we wish you a wonderful evening.  

https://www.mcall.com/2024/10/04/solehi-homecoming-court/

Our Purpose

 

The foundation is dedicated to education, fostering life long learning in public safety and enhancing the community's awareness of public service. By working in conjunction with community members, local educators, public officials and law enforcement agencies, the foundation is committed to mentoring relationships between positive adult role models and children, preparing them for responsible citizenship. 

Our Mission

 

The Officer David M. Petzold Memorial Foundation is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to honoring the memory of fallen Officer David Petzold. We, the foundation, are dedicated to sharing his values of honor, education, integrity and leadership in our community.

 

Board Members

 

Christine Petzold, President

Jason Apgar, Vice President

Dane Carroll, Treasurer

Thomas Nicoletti, Secretary

Catherine Pochek, Board Member

Kimberly Fritts, Board Member

Devon Campbell, Board Member​

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About

Officer Dave became an Upper Saucon Township Police Officer in October of 1996.  He served as a Patrol Officer of the close Upper Saucon community and became an active member of both the Fraternal Order of Police and the Upper Saucon Police Officers Association.  For several years, Officer Dave enjoyed being a D.A.R.E Officer and loved interacting with all of the local children and parents.  In striving to break new ground for others in his department, he became Upper Saucon’s first Detective in 2001.  He loved the investigative work which used the mind as well as well as the body.

 

In May of 2005, Officer Dave left the Upper Saucon Township Police Department to join the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  He graduated from the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia in September and served as a Special Agent assigned to the Newark, New Jersey office.  Officer Dave resigned from the FBI to re-join the Upper Saucon Township Police Department in April of 2006.

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In the early morning hours of Thursday, November 9, 2006, Officer Dave was preparing to end his tour of duty, when he located a struck deer lying in the left lane of Route 309 causing a traffic hazard.  While attempting to remove the deer from the roadway, Officer Dave was struck and killed by an oncoming vehicle.

 

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Officer Dave died as he lived, trying to protect and serve the community.  Officer Dave was a family man…

he was a son, a brother, a husband, a father, a best friend, a helpful neighbor to those in the community and a friend to the township people.  He had been a patrolman, a DARE Officer, an Investigator and an FBI Special Agent, but simply he was a human being trying his best to make a difference.  

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Officer Dave was a good, decent and kind family and community man.  He embodied the words diligent, honest, compassionate and loyal.  It is due to his absence, that this foundation made up of family, friends and community members far and wide, has been established.  To make up where he left off and continue to make a difference in a special community that Officer Dave knew and loved.

 

Thank you to all of you who reach out and strive to make a difference.  

Contact the foundation if you would like to know how you can help.

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Officer David Petzold

How donations used

Digital Forensics Laboratory

 As of 2011, the Officer David M. Petzold Memorial Foundation in partnership with Lehigh County and DeSales University established the Officer David M. Petzold Digital Forensics Laboratory of Lehigh County located at DeSales University.  The state of the art facility and the first of it’s kind in the commonwealth will forever change policing ability of digital crimes and assist in the positive impact of online child predators..

Crime Fite

Desales University partners with the David Petzold Memorial Crime Lab to offer students a 3-day forensics training program for 9th - 12th grade students to inspire careers in Criminal Justice.

During this 3-day training, students will learn from local professionals such as Coroners, Detectives, Forensic analysts, District Attorneys and Desales University Professors. Students will also get the opportunity to analyze evidence, view the forensics lab, review a computer demonstration and participate in a mock crime scene! 

Events
Contact US
Upcoming Events!

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Check back for new events

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