Upper Moreland Grad Honored for Years of Service

Lower Providence Township Police Sgt. Keith Gordon was recognized before the township’s Board of Supervisors for his 25 years of police work in the township.

The recognition took place during the Nov. 1 regular board meeting, where board chairman, Richard Brown, read aloud the accomplishments of Gordon’s career in law enforcement and community involvement.

“Twenty-five years, that is a mile stone,” Brown said, later adding, "For his 25 years of service to Lower Providence Township, the board of supervisors would like to express our deepest appreciation."

According to Brown, Gordon graduated from Upper Moreland High School in June of 1975. He became a police dispatcher with Hatboro Police Department in 1978, and was sworn in as a police officer with the Hatboro Police Department in April 1980. That same year, Gordon attended the Pennsylvania Police Academy Southeast Training Center, where he graduated in June.

In 1986, Gordon received his associates’ degree in Criminal Justice from Montgomery County Community College.

The following year, on Oct. 26, Gordon was sworn in as a police officer in Lower Providence Township.

During his tenure with the Lower Providence Police Department, Gordon served as a patrol officer, traffic safety, K-9 unit and was an original member of the department’s Special Operations Unit.

Gordon was promoted to the rank of sergeant on March 16, 2000, when he became responsible for a platoon in the department’s patrol division.

Gordon also served as a special weapons and tactics operator with the Central Montgomery County Special Weapons and Tactics Team.

He is the department’s certified instructor for certain police training. Gordon also attended training programs from the Pennsylvania State University, including Police Supervisor and Service Training; Police Executive Development Program; and the Advanced Police Executive Development Program.

Brown noted that during the course of Gordon’s career, he received numerous letters of commendation and has been awarded three distinguished unit citations, as well as earned the department’s second highest honor: a commendation for bravery. Mothers Against Drunk Driving has also recognized Gordon for his enforcement efforts in areas of driving under the influence.

Gordon is also the deputy emergency management coordinator for Lower Providence Township.

“Keith’s commitment to service extends well beyond his dedication to Lower Providence Township,” Brown said.

According to Brown, Gordon has also been a softball coach for community, travel and high school leagues, including Mount St. Joseph’s Academy and Central Bucks East High School.

Gordon is also a volunteer firefighter and chief of Enterprise Fire Company in Hatboro, his hometown.

“I had to minimize the font to 10-font to keep it one page,” Lower Providence Police Chief Francis Carroll humorously noted of Gordon’s many achievements. “Keith’s accomplishments and his contributions to our community over 25 years go well beyond that one page.”

Carroll said, as a police chief, whenever he is not on duty and emergency calls reach him, a thousand questions go through his mind. However, he said he is confident that the situation is being handled well, should Gordon be the one to call him.

“When I hear Keith Gordon’s voice on the other line, I don’t have to ask those questions anymore,” Carroll said. “I know it’s done, it’s finished, it’s done right.”

Gordon, who was joined by his wife, thanked the board and those in the audience who came out to celebrate his recognition.

Gordon recalled, in the 1980s, his initial experience with the Lower Providence area as being too remote for his liking. 

He said he remembers sitting in a patrol car, during the midnight shift, and regretting his decision of working in the township.

“Who would come here, why did I come here?” Gordon said, then added, “Now that I’ve been here for 25 years, and I’m getting closer to thinking about retirement, the question is still why: Why would I leave?”

In addition to the recognition, the board of supervisors presented an anniversary watch with the township’s logo on its face, as well as an award, recognizing Gordon’s 25-years of service.