Pictured are (from l to r); Patrolman Matthew O’Donnell of the Yeadon Police Department, Yeadon Police Chief Henry Giammarco, Speaker Joanna McClinton, Cpl. Joseph O’Donnell of the Darby Police Department, and Darby Police Chief Joseph Gabe. (Photo/Speaker McClinton’s office)
HARRISBURG, Dec. 16 – Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware, presented Cpl. Joseph O’Donnell of the Darby Police Department and Patrolman Matthew O’Donnell of the Yeadon Police Department with the Speaker’s Meritorious Service Medal during a ceremony at the state Capitol.
The officers, who are brothers, were selected for the honor for their actions during a January 2024 incident in which they rendered lifesaving care to a choking baby.
“Everyone in this House chamber knows that police officers are on the front lines in our communities — showing up each day to keep our residents safe, enforce our laws, and save lives,” McClinton said. “Officer Matthew O’Donnell and Corporal Joseph O’Donnell III are living embodiments of sacrifice, honor, and service, and they come from a family that has consistently served their community time and time again.”
McClinton noted that police officers are often the first to arrive during community emergencies. In the January 2024 incident, the officers were met at the door by a visibly distraught mother holding her unresponsive toddler. Using their CPR and first-aid training, the officers administered lifesaving measures, successfully dislodging an object from the child’s throat and clearing the airway.
Body-worn camera footage captured the officers’ swift, professional response to the emotionally charged situation.
Joseph O’Donnell joined the Darby Borough Police Department in 2015 as a part-time officer, was promoted to full-time status in 2020, and advanced to corporal in 2023. He serves as the department’s field training officer and is a member of the Delaware County Region One Emergency Response Team.
Matthew O’Donnell has served with the Yeadon Police Department for seven years. He began his career as a part-time officer before being promoted to full-time in 2020. In 2023, he was named “Officer of the Year” by his fellow officers.
The officers were accompanied to the Capitol by their families and a delegation of local officials, including Yeadon Mayor Rohan Hepkins; Yeadon Council President Antoinette Truehart; Yeadon Police Chief Henry Giammarco; Yeadon Police Lt. Shawn Burns; Darby Police Chief Joseph Gabe; Darby Council President Lucille Pratt; and Darby Council Members Cheryl Butts and Jennifer Parks.
McClinton established the Speaker’s Meritorious Service Medal in 2024, during her first term as House Speaker, to recognize individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of Pennsylvania, or who have distinguished themselves through significant societal, public, or private endeavors. The inaugural recipients were nine Philadelphia police officers.
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