Police Captain Recognizes Local Woman, Troopers

by Jonathan Weaver

An East Franklin Township woman who aided a young child in August was one of those recognized by the Pennsylvania State Police yesterday.

At the Pennsylvania State Police – Kittanning station in East Franklin Township yesterday morning, Troop D Commanding Officer/Captain Steve Ignatz issued a letter of commendation to Linda Richardson, a local woman who helped a young child return home after being found near the West Hills School Complex.

“I commend you for the kindness you displayed in staying with the boy while troopers canvassed the area looking for his family and for riding along with troopers and the boy in hopes he would recognize his house,” Captain Ignatz read.

In her recap of the incident, Richardson said she and the four-year-old boy met while she was walking her dog before a Sunday Harvest Community Church service in Kittanning Riverfront Park.

“He wasn’t crying or afraid, but you could tell that he needed some help – so we just sat and talked for awhile and I called the police. I think he felt safe with me,” Richardson said. “I feel God led me to be there that morning because it was 6:30AM and I normally don’t walk quite that early.”

Richardson, the mother of two sons and grandmother of four, pursued the child’s home with Corporal Jacob Jesse during the next three hours.

Captain Ignatz also recognized Corporal Timothy Morando and four Butler-based troopers for their role in a string of Butler County thefts, two Butler-area teens who aided with the Camp Cadet program and Corporal Robert Donaldson for his 25 years of service.

According to Station Commander/Lieutenant Chris Yanoff, commendations are given at quarterly conference meetings – which are attended by station commanders and staff commanders from the five Troop D locations.

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