May 14--An Export native who became familiar with emergency crews while climbing on fire trucks as a toddler has been named Trooper of the Year by the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
Sgt. Adam Kosheba Jr. received the honor last month for his actions during a shootout with a man who had fled police and fatally shot Berks County Sheriff's Deputy Kyle Pagerly, a K-9 officer.
"I've been surprised by (the recognition)," said Kosheba, 42, a member of the state police fugitive task force in Harrisburg. "That night there wasn't really time to think, you just had time to react.
"The sad part about it is we lost a very good officer that night."
The International Association of Chiefs of Police, formed in 1893, selected Kosheba from officers nominated from across the country and Canada.
On June 30, 2011, Pagerly, 28, and Kosheba were part of a detail of a federal and state task force trying to arrest Matthew Connor, 24, on burglary, firearms and assault charges. Connor had fired a weapon during a domestic dispute and fled toward an isolated family cabin.
Officials said Pagerly's police dog, Jynx, located Connor in a sniper's nest, armed with an AK-47 semi-automatic rifle. Connor shot Pagerly several times. Other officers were exposed as they went to help him, but Kosheba fatally shot Connor before he could fire again.
Kosheba, a former paramedic, and another deputy then began providing medical aid to Pagerly.
"It was a task which proved very difficult because of a protective K-9 defending his handler (Pagerly)," the association said.
The dog repeatedly bit the rescuers, but officers were able to get the wounded deputy to a patrol vehicle. Because of the terrain, EMS personnel could not be quickly brought to the scene.
Kosheba gave first aid to Pagerly in the rear of a vehicle as it headed to an area where a medical helicopter could land. Despite those efforts, Pagerly was later pronounced dead in Lehigh Valley Hospital.
The association said Kosheba "displayed unparalleled bravery and commitment during this incident. His selfless and courageous actions undoubtedly saved the lives of other task force members who were ambushed by a dangerous and armed fugitive."
Mary Ann Kosheba of Export said her son was especially honored to receive a less formal tribute.
"Deputy Pagerly's widow personally approached him and thanked him. He really appreciated that," she said.
Last week, the eighth annual Recognition of Heroes sponsored by the Berks County American Red Cross honored Kosheba as well as Pagerly, Jynx and Trooper Tim Flickinger and U.S. Marshal Brian Hicks, who also were involved in the standoff.
Kosheba always wanted to help people, his mother said.
"As soon as he was old enough to walk, he was down at the fire station, right alongside his dad, climbing all over the fire trucks there," Kosheba said.
"When Adam comes back home, they still treat him like family there," said his father, Adam "Jake" Kosheba Sr., a former Export fire chief.
Kosheba Jr., a 1989 graduate of Franklin Regional High School, started as a firefighter at Monroeville No. 4 Fire Company and later became a full-time firefighter in Rockville, Md. He became a state trooper 19 years ago.
"Adam's really worked his way up the ladder. You can't ask any more of a kid," his father said.
Kosheba Jr. also is fire chief of the Maytown-East Donegal Fire Department in Lancaster County, where he lives with his two daughters.
Copyright 2012 - Tribune-Review, Greensburg, Pa.
