Middletown honors two retiring officers for decades of service

The Middletown Township Board of Supervisors on Tuesday recognized two longtime police officers who retired after decades of service.

Chief of Police Joseph Barterello called forward Officer Glenn McPherson and presented him with a plaque for 25 years of service on the Bucks County South Central Special Emergency Response Team (CERT). Barterello said McPherson was one of five original Middletown Township members who joined the South Central CERT at its inception in 1998 and praised his leadership roles on the team. “His leadership and commitment to the team will be greatly missed,” Barterello said.

The board then honored Sergeant Michael Lubold, who officially retired on March 31, 2023, after roughly 33½ years with the Middletown Township Police Department. Barterello said Lubold began his career in November 1989 and spent the bulk of his tenure on patrol, including 11 years as a patrol sergeant and a year as an administrative sergeant. He also led the department’s traffic safety unit and served as an accident reconstruction instructor. “Sergeant Lubold is one of the very best sergeants I have ever had the pleasure of working with in my 31‑year career,” Barterello said, noting Lubold’s widespread respect in court as a crash‑reconstruction expert.

Barterello highlighted additional roles Lubold held: certified emergency vehicle operations course (EVOC) instructor, ATV patrol member, field training officer and participant on the department’s PBA executive and collective bargaining boards. The chief said Lubold’s daughter, Jackie, works as a detective with the Central Bucks Regional Police Department.

The board and attendees took photos and presented commemorative items. No formal votes or policy actions were taken during the recognitions.

The board’s next regular meeting was announced for Monday, May 1, 2023, at 7 p.m.