43rd Annual Civic trust awards

Booster Award

Officer David Brotzman, Retired

 Award Presentation by Debra Young

The BIP Booster Award recognizes a person who has exhibited outstanding service to others thus distinguishing Palmer Township through their contributions to their fellow man, business community or political environment.  Like the Parks and Public Works employees, tonight’s recipient of the Booster Award made these contributions during his working hours as a township employee, a police officer to be exact. It’s the outstanding service part that we bring to light, but we need to start at the beginning.

Dave Brotzman started patrolling the streets of Palmer Township in 1988. He was hired as a part time patrolman and became full time in 1991, but knew he wanted to be a police officer as early as junior high school.  At that time, the Easton Police Department offered an “Explorer Post”, allowing those who were interested to ride along with officers. It seems that ride along solidified his career path to protect and serve his community.

In 1978, Dave started with Easton Emergency Squad as a volunteer first responder which continued for 10 years. In 1982, he branched out into fire and volunteered as a West Easton Fireman which he continues volunteering today. He started at the Allentown Police Academy in 1985 and landed a job with the Wilson Police Department before he graduated from the academy where he worked until he was hired in Palmer Township.

 He remained with the Palmer Police until his recent retirement, after 31 years of dedication to our community.

While Dave carried out all of his duties as a patrolman, he also accepted additional responsibilities of community policing:

• He was one of the first bike patrol officers, keeping our bike paths safe
• He has worked EVERY year at Palmer Community Weekend, set up and break down of the police tent, Nightly Kids ID cards and security at the park
• Placement and transfer monitoring of speed signs and recording speed statistics
• Design, placement and maintenance of emergency stop signs
• 24 hour on call for placement/removal of generators at traffic intersections during power outages
• Monitoring and timing of school zone lights
• Member of the SWAT team from 1992 until it was discontinued
• Traffic/parking/security officer for the annual VIA run
• Maintenance/upkeep/inspection of fire extinguishers at the station
• In-house inventory and ordering of general supplies for the police department

I asked Dave what he enjoyed most as a Palmer Police officer and he replied helping others.  He was fair, not a hard nose cop, but placed consequences when needed and as fair as he could be. He has earned his retirement and we wish him well in his future.

Dave lived in Palmer Township only for part of his adult life, but his contributions have made a positive impact within our community. What started as a ride along, well, what a ride it has been.  Congratulations Dave!