City Promotes Officer, Adds Cadets to Force

Two new patrol officers added in personnel moves

By Jason Togyer
The Tube City Almanac
June 18, 2025
Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

New McKeesport police cadets currently attending the Allegheny County police academy include Ronnell Hunt, Devin Webb, Jaison Mikelonis, Francis Aguirre, Dontae McCarthy and Matthew Hurst, shown with interim police Chief Josh Alfer and McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko. (Tube City Almanac photo)

McKeesport has promoted a longtime police officer to the department’s command staff and added two new officers from other departments.

In addition, McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko said six people interested in attending the Allegheny County police academy have been named as cadets and will join the department following the successful completion of their education.

At this month’s meeting, Cherepko asked council to approve the elevation of Sgt. Josh Byers to lieutenant. Byers became a full-time McKeesport police officer following nine years with the Liberty Borough police department.

“Sgt. Byers has always upheld himself with the utmost respect and dignity,” Cherepko said. 

Also added to the department were Officers Eric Allen and David Bertoty. Cherepko said Allen, a native of Shaler Twp., joined the McKeesport police from the City of Johnstown police, while Bertoty, of Penn Twp., had previously been an officer with the South Greensburg and Westmoreland County parks police.

McKeesport, like other communities, has struggled to recruit and retain police officers. Across Pennsylvania, state officials estimate that up to 1,200 additional municipal police officers are needed.

In an attempt to train additional officers, the city has reinstated its cadet program, Cherepko said.

“We interviewed 25 or 26 individuals who were interested in attending the academy,” he said. “They will be in the academy for six months. When they successfully complete their training, they will be joining the police department, assuming all goes well. We are excited with these individuals who we believe will be joining us in January. Some are from the McKeesport area, and the others are familiar with the region.”

Named as cadets were Dontae McCarthy, a McKeesport Area High School graduate and U.S. Army veteran who currently works as a security officer at UPMC McKeesport hospital; Devin Webb, a McKeesport graduate who currently works for a White Oak based contracting company; Matthew Hurst, a McKeesport graduate who works for White Oak Emergency Medical Services and volunteers as a Rainbow firefighter; Jaison Mikelonis, a Washington & Jefferson College graduate whose father is an Allegheny County police officer; Francis Aguirre, a graduate of Pittsburgh Technical College who works for a private security company; and Ronnell Hunt, a Thiel College graduate from the New Castle area who also works for a private security company.

Above, Sgt. Josh Byers (center) has been promoted to lieutenant. Also shown are interim police Chief Josh Alfer and McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko. (Tube City Almanac photo)

Below, Officers Eric Allen (third from left) and David Bertoty (fourth from left) are introduced to members of McKeesport City Council. Also shown, from left, are McKeesport police Detective Lt. Sidney Summers, interim police Chief Josh Alfer and McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko. (Tube City Almanac photo)

The introduction of the new police officers and cadets was not without controversy.

As the new personnel were introduced, members of Take Action Advocacy Group stood and turned their back on Cherepko, council and the cadets. Activists held signs with slogans such as “Stop Police Violence” and “Hold McKeesport Police Accountable.”

TAAG has been critical of the March 8 arrest of Callie Stinson Sr., 72, on charges of simple assault and resisting arrest in connection with an argument with his neighbor.

Stinson sustained broken ribs and facial injuries during the arrest. City officials have argued that police used an appropriate amount of force in detaining Stinson, who was armed with a brick. TAAG and others have argued that police used excessive force with Stinson, who is in poor health and breathes with the help of a tracheotomy tube. They want the officers disciplined and fired.

Video of Stinson’s arrest was widely shared on social media. He is awaiting a preliminary hearing on the charges, according to court records.

During the citizen’s comment portion of the meeting, McKeesport resident Tiffany Siar, an organizer with TAAG, accused council of failing to address existing tensions between the community and police officers.

“You all are adding police officers without fixing the situation you already have at the present time,” she said. “You added two new officers and six new cadets. The community can only hope that they do not treat people in the community like (pro wrestling).”

Siar told council TAAG will continue to press demands for an investigation into the possible use of excessive force. “We are not going anywhere,” she said.

Originally published June 18, 2025.

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