Why a Penn State police sergeant was named Centre County officer of the year
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- Penn State Sgt. Nick Sproveri named 2024 Centre County Officer of the Year.
- Sproveri led major cases using DNA forensics, tech tools and tactical skills.
- Award highlights Sproveri’s 15-year service, community impact and leadership.
A Penn State police sergeant lauded for his professionalism, technical expertise and commitment to justice was honored Thursday as the 2024 Centre County Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.
Nick Sproveri became the first Penn State police officer to win the award, which Centre County District Attorney Bernie Cantorna has presented since 2019. He was nominated two other times.
“I feel gracious, I feel great that I won this award. I’m very fortunate to win this award,” Sproveri said. “More than anything, I’m glad that somebody from our department won this award.”
Sproveri, 38, has worn many hats since he entered law enforcement in 2010. He’s worked as a bicycle officer, a member of the county’s tactical response team, a drone operator and a certified cell phone forensics analyst. He also serves as an FBI task force officer and an instructor at both Centre County Camp Cadet and the Citizens’ Police Academy.
His wide-ranging experience put him at the center of several high-profile investigations.
Sproveri was the lead investigator in the case against a Michigan man charged with the 2000 rape of a woman at the Penn State golf course. After the investigation was reopened in 2021, Sproveri used advancements in DNA technology to identify and arrest Kurt Rillema. The defendant has since pleaded guilty and was sentenced to at least a decade in prison in his home state — and he’s still facing prosecution in Centre County.
Sproveri also arrested an Allegheny County drug dealer who pleaded guilty to supplying the fentanyl that killed a Penn State student in 2018. He was also the one who led the investigation into a Penn State employee who secretly recorded 22 high school students in the restroom during State College Area High School’s 2018 prom at the Bryce Jordan Center.
“When I think about Nick and why this recognition is being made today, it is really about the person,” Cantorna said. “... And it is about that empathy. You can see it in the cases and the people that he works with along the way.”
The Pennsylvania Western University Edinboro alumnus hadn’t planned on pursuing a career in policing. He originally wanted to become a teacher and high school coach, but had a change of heart after a few ride-alongs with his older brother’s police department.
From there, Sproveri said he was “hooked” on policing, went through the police academy and sent an application to Penn State — the only department he’s worked for during his 15-year career.
“Nick, you’re amazing. It’s long overdue for us to recognize in this setting,” Penn State police and public safety Chief Wesley Sheets said during the ceremony. “... As someone who has had the privilege of working alongside dedicated professionals across our community, I can say without hesitation that Sgt. Sproveri represents the very best of what it means to serve and protect.”
Joined by his dad, wife, two kids and older brother, Sproveri deflected much of the praise sent his direction. He credited his coworkers, his department and fellow police officers in Centre County.
State College police Lt. Chad Hamilton, Bellefonte police Detective Lisa Larkin, state police at Rockview trooper Tyler Prisk and Patton Township police officer Elijah Vardzel were also nominated.
State College police lead all departments in Centre County with eight officers who have earned at least a share of the award. State police at Rockview are the only other agency with multiple winners, with two. Spring Township, Patton Township, Ferguson Township and Bellefonte police have each had one officer receive the honor.