From left are Joseph Mangan, Wilkes-Barre City Police Department and FOP Lodge 36 vice president; Ronald Rebo, Lodge 36 president, Kevin Grevera, Mark Koch, Patrick Rushton, "Police Officer of the Year" selection committee; Royce Engler, Wright Township Police Department, selection committee.

Grevera named "Police Officer of the Year"

Officer Kevin Grevera of the Nanticoke City Police Department was named "Police Officer of the Year" by Wyoming Valley Lodge 36, Fraternal Order of Police. The award was presented at the lodge's first Police Officer's Ball held recently at Convention Hall, Pittston Township. State FOP President Mark Koch was guest speaker. Officer Grevera is the first recipient of the honor to be awarded annually. He was recognized for achievements above and beyond the call of duty, outstanding acts of courage, compassion and kindness and for his community service. The selection committee consisted of active and retired FOP members and a member of the community. The lodge also presented donations to the Make-a-Wish Foundation, Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Victims Resource Center.

December 12, 2004
Dream job is honor for officer
Kevin Grevera of Nanticoke is named Luzerne County's first Police Officer of the Year.
By KRIS WERNOWSKY-kwernowsky@leader.net

He wasn't supposed to know until 7:30 p.m. Saturday, but two days before the Fraternal Order of Police's first policeman's ball, Nanticoke patrolman Kevin Grevera learned he was Luzerne County's first Police Officer of the Year.
"It was our intent to keep it from him," said fellow patrolman Joe Guydosh.
Grevera, 28, an eight-year veteran of the Nanticoke Police Department, sat in a side hallway of the banquet room where he would be honored in about 90 minutes. He dressed sharp, like the rest of the cops in the other room who where there to honor him.
He puffed on a cigarette, nervous about the speech he would make in front of all of those people.
Equally nervous was Guydosh, who nominated Grevera. "I don't mean to sound nervous, but it's hard to say this with him here."
Taking the cue, Grevera stood up and went back into the banquet hall, and Guydosh began to gush.
"He's a genuinely good guy," he said. "He does what he can do for other people."
He listed some of Grevera's accomplishments: creator of a Nanticoke youth task force that takes kids to community events such as baseball games; creator of a drug task force that helps addicts find help; co-fund-raiser of nearly $40,000 for a coal miners memorial.
"He's the community's cop," Guydosh said. "I couldn't think of anyone who deserved this more than him."
Pat Rushton, head of the FOP's Police Officer of the Year committee, said Grevera was chosen from a handful of area officers for the award. Not many officers wrote in nominations.
"But we had a tough time making the decision," he said.
Grevera grew up in Nanticoke, and according to his father, Frank Grevera, he always wanted to be a cop.
He had two uncles and a great-uncle who were in law enforcement, and from the age of 14, that was Grevera's dream career, his dad said.
"Honestly, people might say this all the time, but I wanted to help people all my life," the younger Grevera said.
His father wasn't surprised that his son would receive such an honor.
"He's a real outgoing and caring person," he said. "He's very good with people. This is the first time they're doing this, so I told him, 'Kevin, this is a big honor."
The younger Grevera remained modest. After his friend and father spoke about him, he kept a level head.
"This isn't about me. This is the policeman's ball, to honor the police in Luzerne County. I'm proud I can represent, for one day, what they do every day of their lives."
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