Ptlm. Michael Yuhas and Ptlm. David Rakich

January 9, 1969

Officers Michael Yuhas & David Rakich were both shot on January 9, 1969, in the same incident. The officers were called to investigate a marital dispute by Mrs. Glenna Layne at 1:00 PM. She had filed for divorce from her husband Walter, after he had threatened her at gunpoint several times and abducted her. The officers approached Layne in his auto behind the Saratoga-Brandywine apartment building and ordered him to step out. While Officer Yuhas searched the auto, Officer Rakich frisked Layne. As he was being frisked, Layne pulled out a concealed weapon and fired pointblank at both officers. Officer Rakich was shot once in the back below the right shoulder and Officer Yuhas was wounded in the chest, abdomen, and left arm. Officer Yuhas managed to squeeze off two shots at Layne through the car window as Layne fled the scene. Officer Kosa picked up the officers’ call for help and discovered them slumped over Layne’s car. Officer Kosa then located Layne four blocks away, as he ordered him to stop, Layne fired at the officer. Officer Kosa returned fire with his shotgun. A brief exchange of gunfire followed, leaving Officer Kosa unharmed and Layne with several gunshot wounds. Layne was later convicted on felony charges for his actions and sent to prison.

Both officers were hospitalized and eventually recovered from their wounds. Officer David Rakich returned to duty and served honorably until his retirement in 1993. Officer Michael Yuhas returned to duty, but was forced to retire on disability after he was re-injured in a physical altercation with a suspect.

WOUNDED IN THE LINE OF DUTY

Officer Thomas DeNicola

July 13, 1982

Officer Thomas DeNicola, a 13 year veteran of the force was shot in the left leg as two men in a stolen car crashed a roadblock on SR 57 and then led police on a high speed chase. It started at about 1:30 AM on July 13, 1982, as Officer DeNicola and his partner, Officer John Daniels, were northbound on SR 57 . They were radioed to set up a roadblock near SR 254 to stop a stolen car and a second car with accomplices. The cruiser with flashers and siren on was used to block the road, and the officers were along the side of the road with weapons drawn. As the first car crashed through the roadblock, Officer DeNicola saw two flashes of light from the passenger side of the vehicle and then felt a burning sensation in his leg, he had been shot. Officer DeNicola then returned fire with his shotgun striking the back of the car. Officer Larry Giese, in pursuit of the vehicles, exceeded speed of 115 mile per hour. At this point several area police agencies joined the chase. The suspect abandoned the vehicle and fled in a wooded area some twenty miles from the shooting scene. Officer Giese pursued on foot with the aid of his dog and the other police agencies and apprehended both suspects. The suspects were later convicted and sent to prison, and Officer DeNicola returned to duty.