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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

NorCo Deputy Sheriff Gretchen Kraemer to Join Beth Tp PD

Bethlehem Township may be pondering a tax hike, but Commissioners scored a major coup at their October 19 meeting. By a 4-0 vote, they accepted Chief Dan Pancoast's recommendation and appointed Northampton County Deputy Sheriff Gretchen Kraemer to their police force. Northampton County's loss, and it truly is a loss, will be Bethlehem Township's gain.

I don't have her curriculum vitae, but remember Gretchen back when she worked in the Criminal Division. Even miserable bastards like myself liked her, and I don't like anyone. We all knew she was going places, but her next career move shocked us all.

She became a Bethlehem City police officer, and probably would still be there today except for circumstances in her family life that required her to be a caregiver. Unable to work the shifts expected of new police officers, she was able to return to Northampton County, but this time as a Deputy Sheriff.

Whether it was courtroom security or manning the door, she performed her duties cheerfully and professionally.

She is one of the deputies whose quick thinking saved the life of my good friend, prominent Bethlehem Attorney Rich Schaedler. n 2013, he suddenly collapsed outside a courtroom. She was part of a team of ten deputies who would not give up, even though Rich's heart had stopped beating for seven minutes. They used CPR, first aid, oxygen administration and an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) until a faint heartbeat returned.

Like Lazarus, Schaedler had risen from the dead.

Though she's obviously an excellent Deputy, she told me she always loved police work. Once her family situation improved, she applied with Bethlehem Township's police department. Chief Pancoast called her his first choice, and told Commissioners she is "well qualified as a police officer."

She is married to Jason Rosati, a Lieutenant at the jail who was amazingly fired for insisting that corrections officers follow the uniform policy. His appeal to the Personnel Appeals Board is still pending. Though he had a hearing in July, his appeal has languished since then with no new date set by the Board.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

This woman, whose name I didn't know, was always nice and professional when I encountered her in security situations. One of the deputies I've seen several times and should recognize my face as a courthouse visitor was a total DICK to me recently, with no cause at all. Contrast that with this woman, who once showed she knew what town I am from as I passed through security (to my utter surprise). She pays attention, and does her job very well.

I think she's kind of hot too, but that's OT. I'll miss her.

Bernie O'Hare said...

She is very astute, and her departure is a great loss to the County.

Anonymous said...

Good luck to you Gretchen! We'll miss you. Everyone except John Brown, who couldn't give a darned who comes or goes as long as he leaves as many jobs vacant as possible to balance his budget.

Anonymous said...

Gretchen is a true professional and decent person. Norco's loss is Bethlehem's gain.

E Mest said...

Gretchen, you are a very dedicated and personable professional employee to the county. Truly another loss to them. Good luck iwith your future! You will be truly missed by those still left there. From a retired county employee.

Anonymous said...

Just curious, if it was a 4-0 vote, who missed the meeting?

Bernie O'Hare said...

Michael Hudak was absent from the meeting and budget hearing.

Anonymous said...

Seems like the fun & loveable Hudak is AWOL frequently these days.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
You can't handle the truth said...

Are you a pervert or disgruntled? Either way grow up!

Anonymous said...

Bernie, Please get the WHOLE history of Mr. Rosati before praising him. He wasn't a Saint as a Corrections Officer as you portray him to be. Gretchen, good luck.

Bernie O'Hare said...

He never said he was a saint. He was a tough boss who insisted people under him follow the rules. That has already been clearly established at the hearing. Move along now.