By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times

Two Kennett Square Police Officers received commendations from the Chester County Chiefs of Police Association at a luncheon meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 8, at the Downingtown Country Club.

Kennett Square Cpl. Richard E. Bell received his commendation for saving the life of a 13-year-old boy on July 7.  Police said Bell responded to the call, found the boy in cardiac arrest, and began CPR, which revived the child’s heartbeat and breathing. Medics arrived, and the child was transported to A.I. duPont Hospital in Wilmington, De.; the boy is alive and well today thanks to Bell’s efforts, police said.

Kennett Square Det. Oscar Rosado received his commendation for an outstanding investigation of a person dealing prescription painkillers (oxycodone) out of their home, police said.  Starting in July 2013, Rosado made buys of the drugs using undercover operatives and conducted numerous hours of surveillance on the residence to gather evidence, police said.   The dealer was subsequently arrested and pleaded guilty, police said. In addition, the county gained possession of the dealer’s home under state forfeiture laws, police said.

” I am proud of the work done by all of our officers and extremely happy to see when they are rewarded for exceptional efforts, as in both these cases,” said Kennett Square Police Chief Edward A. Zunino.

Both officers were recognized by the Kennett Square department for other contributions to the community during an awards ceremony this past summer. Bell was cited for helping to defuse an April 23 encounter with a half dozen youth who came to Kennett Square in possession of a loaded, stolen assault weapon, and Rosado was lauded for his youth mentoring, particularly his anti-drug and anti-gang outreach.