The first 11 months of 2014 were busy for the officers of the Upper Perk Police District; the 12th was particularly challenging.  It was a year of major drug investigations and arrests and, perhaps, conducting the largest manhunt ever in the four-county corner of the Commonwealth where Montgomery, Berks, Bucks and Lehigh meet.

                At Monday night's meeting of the Upper Perk Police Commission, the entire staff of the department was formally thanked by the members of the Upper Perk Police Commission and several were singled out for their efforts.

                In addition to the members of the commission, Montgomery County First Assistant District Attorney Kevin Steele was on hand along with a Montgomery County detective who headed up the drug investigations in the upper end of Montgomery County over the last three years. 

                The detective, whose name is being withheld due to the nature of his clandestine work and ongoing investigations, was given a citation of gratitude from Upper Perk Chief Michael Devlin for his efforts that led to the demise of a major drug ring operating in the area that stretched across the country into California.

                The department also thanked Steele for the involvement of all the members of the District Attorney's office and commended the group for their help in the investigations.  Of the county staff's involvement, Devlin commented "Without their help we couldn't have done it."

                Upper Perk officers receiving commendations from Devlin for their work over the last three years on the investigations leading up to the arrests were: James Lavin, James McVeigh and Joe Adam Jr.

                Devlin received a citation from the commission for his leadership during the two-day manhunt for Bradley Stone in December.  At the time, Stone was wanted in connection with the murder of his ex-wife and five of her family members, and the wounding of another.   More than 150 law enforcement officers from at least 30 agencies and departments were involved in the effort. 

                According to Pennsburg Mayor Vicki Lightcap, Devlin manned the command post, set up in the parking lot of St. Marks Church in Pennsburg, during the more than 30-hour event and directed the effective lockdown of schools and other institutions early on in the incident.