Two subordinate officers and a third former employee may have launched the first salvo of a lawsuit in federal court, but the chief of a York County regional police department says he’s going to fight the allegations.

The retaliation claims raised in federal court last week are “without merit,” David Lash, chief of the Northern York County Regional Police Department, said at the department’s Tuesday commission board meeting, according to the York Daily Record.

The plaintiffs accused Lash of violating department policy to the detriment of their three fallen comrades, Isaiah Emenheiser, Mark Baker and Cody Becker, who were ambushed as they were trying to serve a warrant Sept. 17, 2025. Their deaths were preventable, the lawsuit said.

Lash killed any investigation into his violations and then, after Tyler Zeller and Logan Chetaitis filed anonymous complaints over Lash’s head to the department’s board of commissioners, launched a campaign of retaliation against the officers, the lawsuit said.

It ended with Christopher Irwin, the department’s administrative lieutenant responsible for ensuring the department’s compliance with its own policies and accreditation standards, being transferred and stripped of many of his job responsibilities, and Chetaitis being terminated. Zeller was demoted from a supervisor’s position along the way too.

Lash said Tuesday night that he and the commission would fight the allegations in court.

“We will vigorously defend these claims through the appropriate legal process,” Lash said. “Meanwhile, we will continue to do the job that we were sworn to do, serving our community each and every day, answering every call with respect, care, and the commitment to the highest level of professionalism.”

Neither Lash nor the police commission has filed an answer to the lawsuit. They have 21 days following service to do so, according to federal court rules.

The decision to send in regular officers rather than a highly armed tactical team previously raised questions in the wake of the shooting.

Department policy specifically requires the department to consult York County’s quick-response team commander whenever circumstances suggest a high-risk entry or high-risk service involving dangerous people.

Matthew Ruth, 24, who was armed with a gun and had been accused of stalking his ex-girlfriend, presented precisely the type of heightened danger described in that policy, the lawsuit said.

But on Sept. 17, 2025, Lash sent the three detectives into the ambush without that consultation, the lawsuit said. Lash made it clear to members of the department that he didn’t want outside law enforcement agencies operating within his jurisdiction, the lawsuit said.

Lash addressed the lawsuit in a statement read at the police department’s commission, also named in the federal lawsuit, Tuesday night. He declined to comment on the specific allegations. A full video of the statement was published by the York Daily Record.

A fourth officer from Northern York County was critically wounded, as was a sheriff’s deputy, who was standing guard as the detectives from Northern York County approached the front door of the home Ruth was holed up in with a rifle the day of the incident, the York County District Attorney’s Office previously said.

The officers are asking a federal court to protect them from retaliation, correct their employment records and restore lost positions or opportunities. They are also asking for back pay, front pay, other monetary damages, and a declaration that department policies concerning officers’ speech and petitions to the commission are unconstitutional.

Department policy specifically requires the department to consult York County’s quick-response team commander whenever circumstances suggest a high-risk entry or high-risk service involving dangerous people.

“We remember Cody, Mark, and Isaiah every day, and whenever we can shoulder even a little part of your grave, you can count on us to be there for you. And commission, thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak tonight,” Lash said.

Two members of the 12-person board spoke in Lash’s defense at the meeting, according to the York Daily Record.

Loretta Wilhide, chairperson who spent 17 years on the commission, said Lash “is the most community-minded person that we have… We have so many more programs started under the tenure of Chief Lash.”

George Donavos, a commission member from New Salem Borough, also praised Lash’s integrity.

“I’ve known Chief Lash quite a while. I know him to be of the highest integrity and honor,” he said.

The full statement is posted below:

“Regarding the lawsuit filed last week, I will not comment on the specific allegations, except to say that I firmly believe the claims are without merit. We will vigorously defend these claims through the appropriate legal process. Meanwhile, we will continue to do the job that we were sworn to do, serving our community each and every day, answering the call — every call — with respect, care, and the commitment to the highest level of professionalism.

I want to say it’s an honor to stand shoulder to shoulder with every member of this department, from the command staff, the rank and file officers, the civilian staff, and the members of the commission. I am proud and humbled to serve this jurisdiction as your chief of police. Finally, to the families of our fallen heroes, I know that the past 13 months have been very hard for you. The loss you suffered is stagnant, and while there will be many more difficult days ahead, please know that you are not alone. We remember Cody, Mark, and Isaiah every day, and whenever we can shoulder even a little part of your grief, you can count on us to be there for you.

Commission, thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak tonight.”

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