09/02/2026
Arnold Police Officer Commended for Heroism - 2004
January 2004, Arnold Police Officer Marcia LaPorte (Cole) responded to a barricaded-gunman incident in Lower Burrell where a man had barricaded himself on the upper floor of his home and was firing shots. When LaPorte arrived, she found Lower Burrell police officers pinned down and in danger. LaPorte drove her patrol car directly toward one of the officers, placing herself in the gunman’s line of fire. The officer climbed into her cruiser, and LaPorte backed away from the residence while using her patrol car as cover, allowing two additional officers to escape the danger area. She then radioed critical information to other responding officers and became involved in negotiations with the barricaded man. The situation ultimately ended peacefully.
LaPorte’s actions did not go unnoticed. On April 13, 2004, she traveled to Harrisburg where she was formally recognized on the floor of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. State Representative Tom Casorio presented the citation and praised LaPorte for putting the safety of others ahead of her own.
