Shenandoah Reinstates Police Officer It Fired in 2024

Shenandoah has reinstated a police officer it fired last year.

In a 4-3 vote Monday night, Borough Council members agreed to let Cody Applegate back on the job. Applegate was fired by unanimous vote in October for “breach of employment contract.”‘

The non-legal explanation of why Applegate was fired was not made public.

The vote on Monday was split. Council members Katie Catizone, James Burke, and Michael Whitecavage voted against reinstating Applegate. Whitecavage registered a “hard no” vote.

Later, he told The Canary that he believes reinstating the officer was “not in the best interest of the borough.”

Council members Joe Boris, Joe Gawrylik, Michael Uholik, and Diane Korenda all voted to reinstate. With the votes, Applegate will assume the rank of Lieutenant. He was a Captain at the time of his firing last year.

Shenandoah Solicitor Shane Hobbs said Applegate filed a grievance following his termination. He said council members were “fully aware of the details” surrounding his firing last year. Applegate’s reinstatement is the result of an agreement – after consulting with outside counsel hired by the borough – to settle that grievance.

Patrolman Quitting

Council members learned Monday that another officer on the Shenandoah police force is resigning.

Patrolman Matthew Williams tendered his resignation, saying his last day will be March 31. He’s taking a full-time job with West Mahanoy Township. Williams has been on the job in Shenandoah since 2021.

In his resignation letter, Williams requested he be paid for his unused vacation time (192 hours), personal time (115 hours), and sick time (384 hours), as well as contributions to the police pension plan. Williams also requested getting paid interest on his pension contributions but council members say he’s not entitled to the interest.

Council voted unanimously to accept Williams’ resignation pending a review of the unused time he’s owed. That review will be conducted by Borough Manager Mike Cadau.

Whitecavage urged fellow council members to begin searching for prospective replacements for Williams as soon as possible. Boris said the borough needs two officers.

Catizone said the recruitment of officers is “getting harder and harder, no matter what you pay.”

Retaining officers is Shenandoah’s problem, too, though it’s certainly not alone in that. Catizone added that by bringing on more officers, it’ll reduce burnout among those on its current roster.

Capt. Travis Bowman told council members that a prospective candidate to fill one of those vacancies on the force is currently in the police academy and is set to graduate in June.

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