The majority of Bethel Park residents and students know the face of Officer Modrak.  Officer Modrak has been roaming the streets employed by the Municipality of Bethel Park for about 25 years; Officer Modrak has been on the police force at Bethel Park for 25 years.

Officer Modrak began his career as a police officer at Pittsburgh Public Schools.  Then, he moved to Bethel Park; he worked with the Police Pals program in the district’s elementary schools and the Law Enforcement Apprenticeship Program.  Furthermore, in 2002 Officer Modrak was assigned to Bethel Park High and Independence Middle.  As he fulfilled these various positions up to this year the school district approached him, knowing he was eligible for retirement.  The school district composed an offer to work full time at the school district.  Officer Modrak didn’t hesitate to accept the intriguing offer and work full time at the high school.

Recently, I conducted an interview with Officer Modrak and he shared his input about the transition of working full time at the Bethel Park High School.

Adam: “What inspired you to become a police officer?”

Officer Modrak: “The knowledge that I would have the ability to help other people.”

Adam: “As a police officer within Bethel Park, what was the most life threatening situation you have ever been in?”

Officer Modrak: ” I have been very fortunate in my career as a Bethel Park police officer that I was not involved in a serious firearm incident. The most life threatening incident would involve around a serious a car accident in which a elderly male was trapped in a car accident and we, the first responders were trying to get the man out of the car before the medics arrived.”

Adam: “What was your most memerable moment as a police officer in Bethel Park?”

Officer Modrak: “My most memorable moment was when a parent came up to me and thank me for helping his daughter recover from her drug problem.”

Adam: “What are your responsbilities at BPHS now that you are employed full time?”

Officer Modrak: “My day to day responsibilities have not change much. I am still a law enforcement officer and I am still able to help the students and staff of the Bethel Park School District. The big changes are I now work for the Bethel Park School District and I am only responsible for issues/incident that occur on School District property or with School District students.”

Adam: “Any words of wisdom for present/future Bethel Park students?”

Officer Modrak: “As for words of wisdom: Stay in school and stay out of trouble.”

As previously stated, Officer Modrak’s day to day responsibilities have not changed significantly.  However, the transition has been certainly rough due to the various responsibilities on a daily basis.

* For more information, please visit: http://old.post-gazette.com/pg/12068/1215190-55-0.stm