Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) announced the promotions of three Members to the rank of Major, four to the rank of Captain, and eight to the rank of Lieutenant. All were recognized at promotion ceremonies on March 30.

William A. Maitland promoted to Major

Colonel Christopher Paris, Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police, promoted William A. Maitland to Major and assigned him as Commander of Area I.

A native of New Castle, Lawrence County, Major Maitland most recently served as the Commanding Officer of Troop D, Butler.

Major Maitland enlisted in the State Police in 1999. Upon graduation from the Academy, he was assigned to Troop A, Kiski Valley. As he progressed through his career, he served in Troops A, C, D and E, and the Bureau of Integrity and Professional Standards, Internal Affairs Division.

He was promoted to Corporal in 2005, Sergeant in 2015, Lieutenant in 2017, and Captain in 2021.

Major Maitland graduated from Butler County Community College in 1995 and Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command in 2016.

William J. McAreavy promoted to Major

Colonel Christopher Paris promoted William J. McAreavy to Major and assigned him as Director of the Bureau of Research and Development.

A native of Winslow Township, New Jersey, Major McAreavy most recently served as Firearms Liaison in the Bureau of Records and Identification.

Major McAreavy enlisted in the State Police in 1994. Upon graduation from the Academy, he was assigned to Troop H, Chambersburg. As he progressed through the ranks, he served in Troop H and the Bureau of Research and Development.

During his career, he served at various stations in Troop H as a Patrol Trooper, Patrol Sergeant, Staff and Administrative Sergeant, Crime Sergeant, Criminal Investigation Section Supervisor, and Station Commander.

He was promoted to Corporal in 1999, Sergeant in 2005, Lieutenant in 2016, and Captain in 2021.

Major McAreavy received his General Equivalency Diploma from the state of New Jersey in 1987, while serving in the United States Navy. He is also a 2015 graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command.

Christopher J. Neal promoted to Major

Colonel Christopher Paris promoted Christopher J. Neal to Major and assigned him as Director of the Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement.

A native of Punxsutawney, Jefferson County, Major Neal most recently served as Commanding Officer of Troop C, Punxsutawney.

Major Neal enlisted in the State Police in 1994. Upon graduation from the Academy, he was assigned to Troop B, Washington. As he progressed through his career, he served in Troops B, C, H and M; the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Organized Crime; and the Bureau of Integrity and Professional Standards, Internal Affairs.

Major Neal attended the 253rd class of the FBI National Academy and Clarion University.

Jeremy M. Barni promoted to Captain

Colonel Christopher Paris promoted Jeremy M. Barni to Captain and assigned him as Commanding Officer of Troop B, Washington.

Captain Barni, a native of North Franklin Township, Washington County, most recently served as the Internal Affairs Western Section Commander in the Bureau of Integrity and Professional Standards.

Captain Barni enlisted in the State Police in 2004. Upon graduation from the Academy, he was assigned to Troop J, Avondale. As he progressed through the ranks, he served in various patrol and criminal investigation positions within Troops B, E and J. He also served in the Bureau of Integrity and Professional Standards.

He was promoted to Corporal in 2014, Sergeant in 2017, and Lieutenant in 2020.

Captain Barni is a 1996 graduate of Trinity High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2000. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy, Session 283.

Rob Brown promoted to Captain

Colonel Christopher Paris promoted Rob Brown to Captain and assigned him as Director of the Office of Community Engagement.

The Pittsburgh native most recently served as a Lieutenant in the Department Discipline Office.

Captain Brown enlisted in the State Police in 2008. Upon graduation from the Academy, he was assigned to Troop H, York. As he progressed through the ranks, he served in Troop J, Embreeville; the Governor’s Detail; Troop H, Harrisburg; and Troop B, Pittsburgh. He also served as an Executive Officer to the Deputy Commissioner of Staff.

He was promoted to Corporal in 2016, Sergeant in 2018, and Lieutenant in 2021.

Daniel J. Jones promoted to Captain

Colonel Christopher Paris promoted Daniel J. Jones to Captain and assigned him as Director of the Intelligence Division, Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

A native of South Abington Township, Lackawanna County, Captain Jones most recently served as the Operations Section Commander of the Special Investigations Division in the Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

Captain Jones enlisted in the State Police in 2005. Upon graduation from the Academy, he was assigned to Troop K, Media. As he progressed through the ranks, he served at Troop K, Media; Troop K, Skippack; Troop M, Dublin; Troop M, Fogelsville; Troop A, Greensburg; the Bureau of Integrity and Professional Standards; and the Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

During his career, he served as a Corporal in Troop M, Dublin and a Sergeant in Troop A, Greensburg, Troop M, Fogelsville, and the Bureau of Integrity and Professional Standards.

He was promoted to Corporal in 2011, Sergeant in 2016, and Lieutenant in 2020.

Captain Jones is a 1997 graduate of Abington Heights High School. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business from West Chester University.

Rocco J. Russo promoted to Captain

Colonel Christopher Paris promoted Rocco J. Russo to Captain and assigned him as Commanding Officer of Troop C, Punxsutawney.

A native of Ford Cliff, Armstrong County, Captain Russo most recently served as Patrol Section Commander at Troop D, Butler.

Captain Russo enlisted in the State Police in September 2002. Upon graduation from the Academy, he was assigned to Troop A, Greensburg. As he progressed through his career, he served in Troops A, B, D, E and K; the Bureau of Gaming Enforcement; and the Bureau of Integrity and Professional Standards, Systems Process and Review Section.

He was promoted to Corporal in 2012, Sergeant in 2017, and Lieutenant in 2020.

Captain Russo is a 1990 graduate of Ford City High School. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in finance from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and is a graduate of Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command in 2020.

Michael W. Burns promoted to Lieutenant

Colonel Christopher Paris promoted Michael W. Burns to Lieutenant and assigned him as the Basic Training Section Commander, Bureau of Training and Education.

Lieutenant Burns most recently served as the Firearms Unit Supervisor in the Bureau of Training and Education.

A native of Enola, Cumberland County, Lieutenant Burns enlisted in the State Police in 1999. Upon graduation from the Academy, he was assigned to Troop K, Skippack. As he progressed through the ranks, he served in Troop H at the Carlisle and Gettysburg stations, Troop K at the Skippack Station, and the Bureau of Training and Education.

Lieutenant Burns was promoted to Corporal in 2014 and Sergeant in 2020.

He is a 1995 graduate of East Pennsboro High School. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Shippensburg University and is a graduate of Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command in 2022.

Brandon S. Corby promoted to Lieutenant

Colonel Christopher Paris promoted Brandon S. Corby to Lieutenant and assigned him as Operations Section Commander of the Special Investigations Division of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

A native of Hatfield, Montgomery County, Lieutenant Corby most recently served as the Eastern Section Commander of the Organized Crime Task Force in the Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

Lieutenant Corby enlisted in the State Police in 2005. Upon graduation from the Academy, he was assigned to Troop J, Embreeville. As he progressed through his career, he also served in Troops K and M, and the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Drug Law Enforcement Division.

Lieutenant Corby graduated from North Penn High School in Montgomery County in 2000. He is also a graduate of Bloomsburg University in 2004 with bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice, secondary education, and history.

Adam M. Dickinson promoted to Lieutenant

Colonel Christopher Paris promoted Adam M. Dickinson to Lieutenant and assigned him as Commander of the Media Section, Bureau of Training and Education.

A native of Pottstown, Montgomery County, Lieutenant Dickinson enlisted in the State Police in 2007. Upon graduation from the Academy, he was assigned to Troop J, Embreeville. As a Trooper, he served in multiple capacities within the Patrol Unit and Criminal Investigation Unit in Troop J.

As he progressed through the ranks, Lieutenant Dickinson served as a Patrol Corporal at Troop J, Embreeville before accepting the position of Media Unit Supervisor within the Bureau of Training and Education, where he was subsequently promoted to Sergeant.

He was promoted to Corporal in 2017 and Sergeant in 2019.

Lieutenant Dickinson holds a bachelor’s degree from West Chester University in criminal justice. He is also a graduate of Northwestern University Center for Public Safety School of Police Staff and Command.

Anthony G. Ferdinand promoted to Lieutenant

Colonel Christopher Paris promoted Anthony G. Ferdinand to Lieutenant and assigned him to the Department Discipline Office. Lieutenant Ferdinand most recently served as the Criminal Investigation Section Supervisor at Troop N, Hazleton.

A native of Hazleton, Luzerne County, Lieutenant Ferdinand enlisted in the State Police in 2004. Upon graduation from the Academy, he was assigned to Troop K, Philadelphia. As he progressed through his career, Lieutenant Ferdinand served in Troops, F, K and N, and the Bureau of Integrity and Professional Standards, Internal Affairs Division.

He was promoted to Corporal in 2016 and Sergeant in 2018.

Lieutenant Ferdinand graduated from Hazleton Area High School in 1994, Luzerne County Community College in 1997, and Lackawanna Junior College Municipal Police Academy in 1999. He is also a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command in 2022.

Brandon J. Horlacher promoted to Lieutenant

Colonel Christopher Paris promoted Brandon J. Horlacher to Lieutenant and assigned him as the Commander of the Intake Unit, Internal Affairs Division, Bureau of Integrity and Professional Standards.

A native of Hazleton, Luzerne County, Lieutenant Horlacher most recently served as the Criminal Investigation Section Supervisor at Troop M, Bethlehem.

Lieutenant Horlacher enlisted in the State Police in 2010. Upon graduation from the Academy, he was assigned to Troop M, Trevose. As he progressed through the ranks, he served in the Patrol Units and Criminal Investigation Sections of Troops M and N. He also served as an investigator in the Bureau of Integrity and Professional Standards and as the Station Commander at Troop M, Belfast.

He was promoted to Corporal in 2016, and Sergeant in 2018.

Lieutenant Horlacher is a 2005 graduate of Hazleton Area High School and a 2009 graduate of Bloomsburg University.

Deanna M. Sell promoted to Lieutenant

Colonel Christopher Paris promoted Deanna M. Sell to Lieutenant and assigned her as Director of the Patrol Services Division, Bureau of Patrol.

A native of Windber, Somerset County, Lieutenant Sell enlisted in the State Police in 2003. Upon graduation from the Academy, she was assigned to Troop H, York. As a Trooper, she served in the Patrol Unit in Troops H and A, and the Forensic Services Unit in Troop H.

Lieutenant Sell was promoted to Corporal in 2017 and served as a Patrol Corporal in Troop H, at Carlisle and Gettysburg. Upon promotion in 2020, she served as the Patrol Sergeant at Troop B, Uniontown and most recently served as Sergeant in the Patrol Services Division within the Bureau of Patrol.

Lieutenant Sell is a graduate of Windber Area High School, Duquesne University, and a 2022 graduate of Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command.

Joshua M. Thompson promoted to Lieutenant

Colonel Christopher Paris promoted Joshua M. Thompson to Lieutenant and assigned him to the Professional Development Unit, Bureau of Training and Education.

A native of Athens, Bradford County, Lieutenant Thompson previously served as the Station Commander at Troop P, Towanda.

Lieutenant Thompson enlisted in the State Police in 2007.

Upon graduation from the Academy, he was assigned to Troop F, Selinsgrove. He was promoted to Corporal in 2014 and served as a Patrol Unit Supervisor at Troop B, Uniontown and Troop P, Towanda. He served as the Criminal Investigation Unit Supervisor at Troop P, Towanda, until he was promoted to Sergeant in 2017.

Lieutenant Thompson served as the Staff Services Supervisor at Troop A, Greensburg, before transferring back to Troop P, Towanda, in 2018.

He is a graduate of Mansfield University of Pennsylvania, having a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration.

Jason R. Troutman promoted to Lieutenant

Colonel Christopher Paris promoted Jason R. Troutman to Lieutenant and assigned him as Commander of the Staff Services Section, Bureau of Training and Education.

A native of Valley View, Schuylkill County, Lieutenant Troutman enlisted in the State Police in 2002. Upon graduation from the Academy, he was assigned to Troop M, Bethlehem.

As a Trooper, Lieutenant Troutman served in the Patrol Unit and Forensic Services Unit in Troop M. As he progressed through the ranks, he served as the Forensic Services Unit Corporal at Troop M, Bethlehem. Upon promotion to Sergeant, he served as the Firearms Unit Supervisor, Bureau of Training and Education; Staff Services Section Supervisor at Troop M, Bethlehem; and most recently the Patrol Section Supervisor at Troop M, Fogelsville.

Lieutenant Troutman was promoted to Corporal in 2012 and Sergeant in 2018.

He holds a bachelor’s degree from DeSales University in criminal justice with minors in biology, forensic science and criminalistics.

Heather L. Boyer promoted to Troop Administrative Manager

Colonel Christopher Paris promoted Heather L. Boyer to Troop Administrative Manager and assigned her to Troop G, Hollidaysburg.

A native of Huntingdon Borough, Huntingdon County, Mrs. Boyer began her career with the Pennsylvania State Police in 2013 as a Clerk Typist 2 at Troop G, Hollidaysburg Headquarters. In 2015, she was promoted to Clerk Typist 3 at Hollidaysburg Headquarters and held that position until her promotion in January 2023.

Mrs. Boyer is a 1994 graduate of Huntingdon High School. She is currently enrolled at Eastern Gateway Community College and will receive her associate degree in Professional Office Management in May 2023.