Saving resident’s life earns Cumberland Township police officer another commendation

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Police Officer Lane Hartley of the Cumberland Township was presented a commendation from the Cumberland Township Police Department for his heroic actions in June of 2025 when he disarmed a suicidal female in distress, thereby saving her life.

The commendation was presented by Chief Matt Trostel at this week’s Cumberland Township Board of Supervisors meeting.

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Visibly proud of his officer, Trostel recounted the details of the incident, when Hartley was dispatched to a physical domestic scene within the township and encountered a suicidal individual holding a large kitchen knife. The female, clearly in distress and in need of help, proceeded to put the knife to her throat, causing a laceration to her neck.

“You chose to leave your position of safety to physically remove the knife from the female. You were able to wrestle the knife away and detain her without further injury,” Trostel recounted.
“Due to the extreme nature of this incident, your actions in choosing to put yourself in harm’s way resulted in saving this individual’s life,” Trostel continued, noting that Hartley’s actions “are in the highest tradition of the Cumberland Township Police Department and worthy of this commendation.”

Township supervisors present also offered their congratulations, with Christine Biggins, BOS Vice Chair expressing the board’s gratitude and stating that the board was “very proud” of Hartley.

This wasn’t the first commendation Officer Hartley has received since joining the police department. In May of 2025, Hartley was presented a commendation for saving the life of a man whom he had discovered during a suspicious vehicle check, lying face down on the ground and in need of immediate medical assistance.Hartley determined that the man was suffering from hypothermia, provided basic first aid and summoned medical help.

As Chief Trostel reported at the time, due to the extremely low temperatures, as well as the patient’s condition, Hartley’s actions resulted in saving this individual’s life. (See also Gettysburg Connection story, May 2025: https://gettysburgconnection.org/cumberland-township-police-officer-honored-for-life-saving-actions/).

(Featured Image by Donate Gardner, Gettysburg Connection).
From left to right: Supervisor Jeff Brauning; Chief of Police Matt Trostel; Police Officer Lane Hartley; BOS Vice Chair Christine Biggins; Supervisor Warren Sheppard; Supervisor Andrew Wampler

Donate Gardner

Donate Gardner

Donate Gardner is a freelance writer and journalist who came to Gettysburg five years ago. A former linguist-turned-legal professional, Donate now enjoys her retirement focused on writing, music, and exploring her new community in a variety of ways. While still serving on the board of various non-local organizations, she also supports several local pro bono services to immigrants in the Adams County area, including as the director for the Adams County migrant outreach program, Pasa La Voz. An immigrant born, raised, and educated in Western Europe, Donate uses her multi-lingual background to maintain connection to other cultures, both as a historical researcher and writer, as well as through select advocacy. Donate is also an active musician, multi-instrumentalist, and award-winning songwriter, enjoying the rich music and arts community in Gettysburg, and supporting upcoming and traveling musicians coming through the area. Donate can be reached at: dvbgardner@gmail.com.

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