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PLYMOUTH — When police officers from Upper Providence and Limerick responded to a psychiatric emergency at a home in a heavily-populated condominium community in the dark of night in March 2022 they were met by a man who fired round after round of gunshots at them.
“All of these officers performed admirably and heroically that day, eliminating the threat to themselves, their fellow officers and all of the hundreds of residents at that condominium complex,” Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele said during a recent ceremony at the Montgomery County Public Safety Training Campus in Plymouth Township where he awarded the officers with medals of valor.
Awarded by Steele for the first time since 2012, the medals of valor were presented to officers John Burdsall and Michael Sheehan from the Upper Providence Police Department and Sergeant Stephen Winneberger of the Limerick Township Police Department for their roles in protecting the public during a 2:59 a.m. March 16, 2022, standoff at The Meadows condominium complex. The suspect, David John Naumenko, 63, shot at arriving officers, narrowly missing them as they sought cover, and continued to shoot at officers before he was subdued by a non-fatal gunshot to his shoulder and was taken into custody.
Authorities alleged Naumenko fired at least 17 gunshots at police at three different locations during the shootout that occurred between 2:59 and 5:09 a.m. The investigation determined three officers fired a total of eight gunshots during the two-hour standoff.
The investigation began when Upper Providence police were dispatched to Naumenko’s Meadowview Lane residence after a family member called 911 to report a behavioral/psychiatric emergency and that Naumenko had guns.
Burdsall was the first officer on scene and he observed a pickup truck in front of the residence and Naumenko was observed pushing his wife toward the open passenger door, according to court papers. Burdsall exited his police vehicle and said to Naumenko, “What’s going on?”
As Burdsall approached he observed Naumenko crouch behind the passenger door and Naumenko began firing at Burdsall who ran for cover. One bullet grazed the back of Burdsall’s uniform and struck his radio cord, disabling his police radio during the frenetic situation punctuated by a barrage of gunfire.
From a position of cover, Burdsall returned fire and Naumenko entered his truck and traveled along Meadowview Lane.
Sheehan was the second officer to arrive on the scene and he observed Naumenko’s white pickup truck traveling directly at his police vehicle.
Sheehan, detectives alleged, “heard bullets whistling past him and he could see muzzle flashes from the driver’s side of the truck.” Several gunshots struck Sheehan’s police vehicle.
Sheehan jumped out of his vehicle to take cover, authorities said.
Naumenko crashed his truck into three parked vehicles and then drove past Sheehan and stopped at the end of the block, detectives said.
Police observed Naumenko’s wife exiting the passenger side of the truck and the officers called to her to come to their location and secured her safety.
Winneberger arrived to assist as shots continued to be fired by Naumenko, court papers alleged. Winneberger was able to gain access to a second-story apartment in the area in an attempt to observe the suspect from a window when he was fired upon, according to court documents.
As Naumenko allegedly reloaded his weapon, Winneberger discharged his patrol rifle, striking Naumenko once in the upper right arm and causing him to fall to the ground.
Members of the Montgomery County SWAT Western Region responded to the area and observed Naumenko lying in a grassy area, moved in and took Naumenko into custody, where he was treated by emergency medical responders and transported to a local hospital for treatment of his wound.
Naumenko was charged with two counts of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer but the case was closed last August when Naumenko died of a terminal illness before he could come to trial.
Steele said the medal of valor is the district attorney’s most prestigious award and is presented to members of law enforcement who “bravely placed their lives at risk to protect the citizens of Montgomery County.”
The three officers were among the 15 officers and five civilians who received honors during the district attorney’s annual commendation ceremony for what Steele called “their extraordinary efforts and exemplary work in protecting and serving county residents.”
“Montgomery County has some of the finest law enforcement officers anywhere, and I’m honored to be able to showcase their exceptional work, incredible bravery and dedication to protecting and serving Montgomery County…,” Steele said during the ceremony.
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