Detective Charles Crandall is the 2015 Amtrak Police Department Officer of the Year. Chief of Police Polly Hanson, presented the award to Detective Crandall for his significant contributions to the Amtrak community, including his likely life-saving assistance of a fellow law enforcement officer.
“Detective Crandall’s persistence, unwavering professionalism, and dedication to duty have all contributed to our ongoing employee and passenger safety and security efforts,” said Chief Hanson. “It is my honor to present him with our most prestigious honor by naming Detective Charles Crandall the 2015 Amtrak Police Department Officer of the Year.”
Based in Harrisburg, Crandall notably helped rescue a Pennsylvania State Trooper just feet away from a burning vehicle. He also played a significant role in a two-year investigation into copper wire theft leading to eight arrests.
While returning from an investigation, Crandall and Sergeant Robert Cameron observed a Pennsylvania State Trooper with a car stopped on the interstate. The trooper had stopped to extinguish a car fire when a speeding vehicle hit the trooper’s police cruiser, causing a chain reaction which knocked the trooper over 8 feet into the air. Both APD officers immediately ran from their vehicle to assist.
Crandall provided first aid and comfort to the trooper while he lay on the ground within 10 feet of the burning vehicle. Rather than move him and cause more injury, Crandall lay on the ground and placed his body between the burning car and the injured trooper while Cameron worked on extinguishing the fire.
Detective Crandall began his career with the Amtrak Police in 1988. In addition to working as a patrol officer and K-9 officer, he has worked as a firearms instructor, receiving the President’s Top 100 United States Shooters Award and Pennsylvania and Georgia’s Governor’s Top 20 Shooters Award. Crandall was also awarded the Amtrak Presidential Safety and Service Award (PSSA) for Achievement for his work in the Training Unit.
The Officer of the Year award is a prestigious honor, presented this year during National Police Week which was created by President John F. Kennedy in 1962 to honor law enforcement officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice protecting others.
