Montoursville Based State Trooper Honored
Trooper Justin W. Bieber received a State Police Commendation Medal for aiding two critically injured occupants of a sport utility vehicle that crashed into the trooper’s marked patrol car in January.
“Despite suffering his own injuries in the crash, Tpr. Bieber exhibited the finest qualities of a Pennsylvania state trooper when he made the welfare of others his priority,” Pawlowski said. “The Commendation Medal is awarded to Department personnel for conspicuously significant achievement.”
The commissioner said the SUV, driven by 16-year-old William C. Page, was traveling north on Warrensville Road in Loyalsock Township around 8:15 p.m. on Jan. 25 when it went out of control, crossed into the southbound lane and struck Bieber’s southbound cruiser. Page was thrown from the SUV as it flipped onto its side. Page’s brother, 15-year-old Cordell Page, was trapped in the vehicle.
Bieber remained conscious after the crash, but his radio was disabled and his driver’s side door was jammed shut. He used his personal cell phone to summon emergency medical personnel and contact his station. He then crawled out of the driver’s side window.
Noticing that the SUV’s engine compartment had caught fire, Bieber pulled William Page away from the vehicle. He also saw that Cordell Page was unconscious and trapped in the SUV. Bieber tried to get a fire extinguisher out of his patrol car, but was thwarted because of damage to the vehicle. Meanwhile, Cpl. Robert Brown of the Montoursville station’s Forensic Services Unit arrived at the scene in a Forensic Services Unit van. Brown retrieved an extinguisher from the van and put out the fire.
Bieber, Brown and an unidentified passerby attempted unsuccessfully to free Cordell Page from the SUV. The troopers stayed with the injured youth until he was extricated by rescue service personnel who responded to the scene.
The Page brothers were flown to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville and admitted to the intensive care unit. Cordell Page later died of his injuries. Bieber was transported by vehicle to Williamsport Hospital, where he was treated for his injuries.
“Tpr. Bieber never wavered from his path of duty,” Pawlowski said. “Both he and Cpl. Brown took immediate, decisive action to deal with the situation.”
Bieber and his wife, Tpr. Angela L. Bieber of Troop F, Montoursville, live in Muncy. They have two children: Kylie, 3, and Nathan, 1.
Bieber was nominated for Department recognition by Lt. Randy M. Devine, commander of the Patrol Section at Troop F, Montoursville.
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