Detective Jason B. Apgar was named Police Officer of the Year by the Lehigh County Chiefs of Police Association and the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office Nov. 12. Apgar accepted the award at the Lehigh County Chiefs of Police annual awards ceremony at DeSales University, Center Valley.

Apgar was recommended for this award by Chief David A. Faust of the Emmaus Police Department. Apgar has been with the force for 13 years.

Faust said Apgar is a seasoned police officer and an exceptional investigator and leader who resolved many serious crimes in the last several years.

Most recently, Apgar conducted a lengthy elder abuse investigation heard by the Fifth Investigating Grand Jury. The investigation led to the indictment of three individuals who victimized 90-year-old Queen E. Hersh. A large sum of money was stolen from Hersh, who learned all of her assets, including her homes, were taken from her. Hersh later died. Just a few weeks ago, a jury convicted all three individuals in a trial before Judge James T. Anthony.

Apgar was instrumental in the arrests of three armed men who robbed the KNBT Bank in downtown Emmaus Dec. 30, 2011. The armed men fired at least 10 shots at Emmaus Patrol Officer William Bryfogle. At the jury trial, Apgar was qualified as an expert witness in forensic cellular phone examination.

Apgar has played a key role or been the lead investigator in several Emmaus homicide cases. One of those cases ended in a jury convicting defendant Joel Carl of first-degree murder.

Apgar assists the Lehigh County Information Technology Department and other surrounding law enforcement agencies with troubleshooting network, computer and data technology issues. He is a team player and offers his expertise and knowledge to other departments in general and Lehigh County in particular. Apgar regularly offers his support with CODY systems (integrated public safety software), Lehigh County's Law Enforcement Records Management System and other connectivity issues in the surrounding area.

During his career, Apgar has held himself to the highest standards of professionalism in law enforcement and has maintained those standards in his private life. He consistently receives superior ratings in the police department's annual performance evaluations.

Since the tragic, untimely death of Officer David M. Petzold of the Upper Saucon Township Police Department, Apgar has been active with the David M. Petzhold Memorial Foundation. He helps to organize the annual David M. Petzold Memorial Golf Tournament and maintains close contact with the Petzold family and the extended family of the Upper Saucon Township Police Department.

Apgar helped to develop and operate the David M. Petzold Digital Forensic Laboratory on the campus of DeSales University and commits his on- and off-duty time to the lab. He also is an active member of the Pennsylvania State Police Southeast Computer Crimes Task Force. He will soon complete his master's degree in computer information technology and forensic technology at DeSales University.

"Jason truly is a team player who is passionate about everything he does," Faust said. "He possesses the personal and professional skills and the character that law enforcement leaders look for in quality police officers and investigators."

Faust said Emmaus was "fortunate to have Jason."

"Thus, it is without hesitation and it gives me great pride to recommend Detective Jason Apgar of the Emmaus Police Department for the Police Officer of the Year award," Faust said.