philadelphia investigator named amtrak police officer of the year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 14, 2013
ATK-13-040
Contact: Media Relations
302 683.2129
PHILADELPHIA INVESTIGATOR NAMED
AMTRAK POLICE OFFICER OF THE YEAR
PHILADELPHIA – Francesco (Frank) McBride is the 2012 Amtrak Police Officer of the
Year. Based in Philadelphia, Investigator McBride was assigned several high-profile cases,
many of which involved the theft of copper wire from the Amtrak system. Copper wire theft can
disrupt train operations and damage railroad systems, putting passenger and crew safety at risk.
Chief of Police Polly Hanson, Board of Directors Vice
Chairman Jeffrey Moreland, and Safety, Security and
Environmental Affairs Committee Chairman Albert DiClemente
presented the award to Investigator McBride for his significant
contributions to the Amtrak community, including the successful
resolution of 52 cases assigned to him. Forty-eight of those cases
resulted in arrest.
“Through his unwavering tenacity to carry an investigation
through to the end, Investigator McBride continually contributes to
employee and passenger safety and security,” said Chief Hanson. “Investigator McBride
consistently demonstrates the qualities of an exemplary law enforcement officer and it is my
honor to recognize him with this prestigious award.”
In one case, Investigator McBride conducted a check of several local scrap yards,
searching through 5,000 pounds of copper and locating the stolen tools and other materials.
Subsequent detective work revealed the suspect’s name, which Investigator McBride recognized
from a previous investigation. This suspect was the girlfriend of another suspect arrested for
theft of Amtrak property the year before. A warrant was obtained and a surveillance operation
conducted resulting in the arrest of both suspects and a confession by the boyfriend. A third
-more-

party was also arrested in connection with the crimes.
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Between August 23 and August 27, 2012, several incidents of copper wire theft were
reported, resulting in damages to Amtrak of approximately $25,000 and causing disruptions to
train service. Investigator McBride identified the area where these thefts were reported as the
same area where wire thefts were reported a few months before, and learned that the suspect
arrested in those incidents had been released on bail. Upon investigation at local scrap yards, it
was discovered that the same suspect and an accomplice had sold stolen wire to the local scrap
yard. Both suspects were apprehended near the scene of the crime and confessed to the wire
theft during interrogation.
Investigator McBride began his career with the Amtrak Police on August 30, 2001 and
has worked as a Patrol Officer and K-9 Officer, in addition to his current role as Investigator. He
is also a member of the Department’s Pipe & Drum Unit, Peer Support Program and helped
create the Mid-Atlantic Division North Safety Committee.
The Officer of the Year award is a prestigious honor, presented this year during National
Police Week which was created by President John F. Kennedy in 1962 to honor law enforcement
officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice protecting others.
For more information about the Amtrak Police Department, visit http://police.amtrak.com.
About Amtrak®:
Amtrak is America’s Railroad®, the nation’s intercity passenger rail service and its high-speed rail operator. A
record 31.2 million passengers traveled on Amtrak in FY 2012 on more than 300 daily trains – at speeds up to 150
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intercity trains in partnership with 15 states and contracts with 13 commuter rail agencies to provide a variety of
services. Enjoy the journey® at Amtrak.com or call 800-USA-RAIL for schedules, fares and more information. Join
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