ANDREW
VOLCHKO

Andrew ‘Drew’ Volchko enlisted in the United States Army and began his career as a Military Counterintelligence Agent and requested Europe, more specifically Germany, as the Berlin Wall had just come down and he wanted to be part of this historic moment in history.  He was assigned to the the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Fulda, West Germany and was part of the 511th Military Intelligence Company.  He supported the CI mission as it pertained to Cold War, Soviet Military Liaison Mission Monitoring, Company Intelligence Security Management and Operational Security.

His service continued with the 207th MI Brigade in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq during Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm and the Liberation of Kuwait.

 

After returning from Middle East combat deployment, he returned to Germany to
his original assignment with the Counterintelligence support group of the 11th
ACR and the US Army 5th Corps and US Army Europe (USAREUR). The Army would
send him to Ft. Meade, Maryland and the 902nd Military Intelligence Group where he worked with the Subversion and Espionage Directed against the United States Army (SAEDA) and the SAEDA Control Office.

 

He was assigned to the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization (SDIO) located at the US Defense Pentagon. The SDIO was better known to most people as the “Star Wars” program, which was key to creating our Ballistic and Theater Missile Defense Systems.

 

When Drew decided to leave military service it was to pursue his original dream of being a police officer.  His commitment to service would lead him to graduating with High Honors from Community College of Beaver County Police Academy and later serve with the Potter Township Police Department in Beaver County and then to the Municipality of Bethel Park where he still serves today.

 

In 2000 Drew was traumatically injured securing a prisoner. This was not going to
stop him any more than the service-connected injury sustained during the Gulf War. He fought back and returned to his beloved job. The knowledge gained during this life altering injury, allows him to better relate to injured officers or veterans and those who suffer mental and physical harm during their service to others. He has served as a peer support partner and helps others during critical incident stress events, PTSD and compounding trauma.

 

His commitment to community and country continues through his work with It’s About the Warrior Foundation, the Western Pennsylvania Police Benevolent Foundation and Gunny’s Ridge. He is an instructor with the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Police Academy at the Robert Morris University and California University of PA locations. The experience and education, gained during his years of service to others, are key components to helping cadets become the best they can be as they begin their life of service.

Drew has committed himself to a life of service to others.  When speaking about his dedication “A life given in service to others will never be forgotten” Drew not only gives of himself, but he has raised his daughter and his grandchildren to know the importance of veterans and first responders and helping to serve those who serve us.