Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams administers the oath of office to Sgt. Antwyn Chatman, who was promoted.
Five Harrisburg police officers were promoted and two others were brought on board during a morning ceremony at Whitaker Center.
During the hour-long event on Thursday, Mayor Wanda Williams administered the oath of office to the new officers, Zachary Donmoyer and Solomon Myers.
“One of my great honors, as mayor, is that twice a year I get to stand in front of all of you and give this solemn oath to our new officers,” Williams said. “I know that, with each young man or woman who raises their hand to protect the city of Harrisburg, our city is just a little bit safer.”
Donmoyer and Myers will now enter HACC Municipal Police Academy to begin their training.
Deputy Chief Dennis Sorensen, who soon will retire from the bureau after a lengthy career, announced the officer promotions. They are:
- Sgt. Antwyn Chatman
- Cpl. Andrew Cortelazzi
- Cpl. Anthony Cummings
- Cpl. Farida Kingsboro
- Cpl. Chad McGowan
“For the officers who are being sworn into a higher rank today, their journey is just starting,” said city police Commissioner Thomas Carter.
Harrisburg’s new police corporals take their oaths of office.
During his remarks, Carter also noted the recent decline in homicides in Harrisburg. In 2023, the city had 13 homicides, the lowest number in a dozen years and 10 fewer than in 2022.
“We can’t stop every crime from taking place. We can’t stop every homicide,” he said. “But the men and women of this city did a really good job, and this year was one of our lowest homicide rates.”
The ceremony also took note of several long-tenured officers who recently retired or are about to retire. They are:
- Deputy Chief Sorensen, serving 32 years
- Capt. Milo Hooper, serving 27 years
- Lt. James Galkowski, serving 27 years
- Sgt. Robert Minnier, serving 23 years
- Sgt. Teresa Covey, serving 23 years
In addition, Harrisburg’s long-time animal control officer, Fred Lamke, retired last year after a 38-year career. The ceremony also noted the passing of K9 officer Zoe, a beloved canine officer who served for five years.
As the ceremony closed, the bureau paid tribute to Sorenson, who officially retires next week, with a video, a proclamation and the presentation of a key to the city.
“I don’t know what the next walk of his life holds for him, but I know that God has blessed him and will always be with him,” Carter said. “Mayor, I’m going to say to you that the city of Harrisburg, the citizens, will sorely miss Dennis Sorenson.”
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