Dean Stecklair has been chosen as the 2018 Amtrak Police Department (APD) Officer of the Year in recognition of his significant efforts in keeping customers, employees and the public safe while on duty.

“Our top officers from the divisions within the APD were recognized this year for their hard work and dedication in providing for the safety and security of the people they have sworn to protect,” Amtrak Police Chief Neil Trugman said. “From that group of outstanding employees, Dean was chosen to represent the very best of our department.”

In one example, Stecklair worked along with three other officers, to keep an overdose victim alive. The officers took turns performing CPR and administered four doses of Naloxone, a medication used to block the effects of opioids, to revive the subject. The brave efforts of the officers ultimately saved the man’s life.

In another case, Officer Stecklair responded to a report of local police searching the railroad for burglary suspects who had stolen numerous firearms from a local gun shop. Stecklair observed one of the suspects and pursued him on foot through a residential area. Additional local police officers assisted, the suspect was apprehended, and 24 stolen firearms were recovered from the scene. Officer Stecklair’s efforts were commended by members of the local police department, who stated that he was instrumental in temporarily stopping railroad traffic in the area, helping establish a perimeter to locate the criminal and securing the area to keep local citizens safe.

Officer Stecklair began his law enforcement career when he joined the Amtrak Police Department in 2010. In 2018, he completed 336 incident reports, answered 2,650 calls for service, made 90 criminal arrests, received two Lifesaving Awards, an Exceptional Achievement Award, a Customer Service Award and was named Officer of the Month for May.