The nonprofit raises funds to offer rewards to people who give valuable evidence in solving major crimes. After three decades, the commission is a Philadelphia institution.
For the last quarter century, 6ABC, through our Action News Crimefighters reports, has worked in direct partnership with the commission, triggering the arrests of hundreds of criminals from all across the Delaware Valley.
The commission lauded this partnership on Thursday, recognizing 6ABC President and General Manager Bernie Prazenica and anchormen Rick Williams and Rob Jennings.
From the many receiving awards, here are a few stories.
Bravery and valor during last summer's deadly duck boat accident on the Delaware River triggered an award for Philadelphia Police Detective Timothy Brooks who dove into the river. He saved four duck boat passengers who were losing the struggle to survive the river's current.
"It takes seconds to assess what is going on," said Brooks. "I immediately knew what was going on. And my brain was like, 'Okay, now your training kicks in.' And it does. It's like the world's fastest microprocessor, the human brain."
Philadelphia Police Lieutenant Jonathan Josey was cited for bravery. While off duty he walked into a City Avenue convenience store and foiled an armed robbery attempt. After a brief gun battle, the fleeing suspect lay dead.
"I'm back to work. I missed it," Josey told Action News. He said the incident was "pretty bad. Hopefully it never happens again."
A trio of suburban lawmen, two from Upland Borough, one from Chester, survived a firefight in the city last June with multiple criminal suspects. Corporal Luis Rodriguez was wounded in the battle.
In the most emotional moment of all, the family of Delaware River Port Authority Corporal Christopher Milito accepted the Presidential Award on his behalf. Milito was hit by a car and killed in the winter of 2010 in the line of duty on the Ben Franklin Bridge.
Clearly, tragedy and triumph were on the menu at this annual luncheon in Center City Philadelphia.
