Reading − October 24, 2023 − Last night, Gov. Josh Shapiro signed Senate Bill 621 into law. The bill included language to rename the Penn Street Bridge the Police Officer Scott A. Wertz Memorial Bridge.

Wertz dedicated 20 years of his life to public service and law enforcement. A lifelong Berks County resident, he graduated from Wilson High School in 1984. Wertz worked for six years as a correctional officer at the Berks County prison. He joined the Reading Police Department in 1997, serving as a member of the patrol division, a field training officer, and in a special detail in the criminal investigations division as part of the auto theft task force. On August 6, 2006, Wertz died in the line of duty while responding with his partner to a call to assist his fellow officers who were attempting to break up a fight.

Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) sponsored the language in Senate Bill 621 to name the bridge in Wertz’s honor. Schwank said it’s a fitting tribute to Wertz’s service to the City of Reading.

A formal event will be held to celebrate the naming of the bridge when the signage is ready.

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