C-M graduate receives inaugural police award
When plans to present a new award recognizing leadership among the 148th class of cadets graduating from the Pennsylvania State Police Academy, Capt. Jonathan Mays thought it would be given to one of the squad or team leaders.
But the Col. Ronald Sharpe Leadership Award went to one of the youngest in the class of 90 troopers who graduated from the academy in Hershey last month.
Trooper Andrew Kobert, a 2013 graduate of Canon-McMillan High School, received the award for exemplifying the qualities of honesty, integrity, vision and courage during his time at the academy.
The award is named for Sharpe, who served as commissioner of the state police from 1987 to 1991. Sharpe, who died in 2004 at the age of 64, was the first African-American to lead a statewide police force in the United States.
Mays, director of the academy, said the 22-year-old Kobert “was not one of the student leaders, but he earned quite a bit of respect.” “He was highly motivated and a team player,” Mays said. “He was very encouraging and always in a good mood. You never saw him get angry.
“On the range, you could see him out there helping other cadets, always encouraging them and not letting them get down on themselves. It became so that the instructor knew exactly who was talking just by his voice. His name was brought forth as the recipient.”
Kobert said that he really got involved in police work, volunteering with the state police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, while a criminal justice major at Waynesburg University.
“When I found out that I had enough credits to apply for the state police, I figured I’d go ahead and take it from there,” Kobert said. He received his invitation to join the academy at the beginning of his senior year. Although Kobert did not complete his senior year, he plans to finish his degree.
That Kobert became a police officer should not be surprising. Chartiers Township police Chief James M. Horvath is his uncle, as is Chartiers Detective Sgt. Steven Horvath.
“I grew up seeing them in uniform, and it was inspiring,” Kobert said. “They always helped me along the way.”
In addition, the late Carl Horvath, father to James and Steven and Kobert’s grandfather, was a military police officer in the U.S. Army. Kobert’s paternal great-grandfather was a constable and auxiliary police office in Canonsburg. A cousin is an FBI agent.
“He has it on both sides,” Horvath said. “We are very proud of him.”
Kobert said he was surprised when he learned the day before the April 21 graduation ceremony that he was the recipient of the award.
“There were a lot of good people in my class,” Kobert said. “It could have gone to anyone.”
“I couldn’t have done it without my family and fellow cadets in the class,” he added. “I am honored to receive the award.”
The chief said he was honored to be asked to present his nephew with his badge during the ceremony.
“It was one of the highlights of my career,” Horvath said. “Andy always wanted to be a police officer, and he worked hard for it. I know he will throw his heart and soul into it.”
Mays said that state police Commissioner Tyree C. Blocker has put an emphasis on leadership throughout the ranks, from supervisors to cadets, and even noncommissioned officers.
“The award was named for Colonel Sharpe to recognize his great leadership,” Mays said.
Also among the 90 graduates were Troopers Ty Bell and Dustin Fidazzo. Bell, 25, of Scenery Hill, was a North Franklin Township police officer. He started as a part-time office in January 2015, and was a full-time officer from January 2016 until he left for the academy last October.
Fidazzo, 27, of Washington, was an officer in Centerville Borough as well as a Washington County deputy sheriff before joining the academy.
Kobert, along with Bell and Fidazzo, were assigned to Troop B, Washington, and started their duties Monday at the Uniontown station.