Bill Kissner, a candidate for Magisterial District Judge, is recipient of 2011 Pennsylvania Narcotics Officers' Association Award

Kissner, a Palmerton native and Franklin Township resident who is a candidate for Magisterial District Judge, office 56-3-02 serving Palmerton, Bowmanstown, Parryville, East Penn Twp., Franklin Twp., Towamensing Twp., and Lower Towamensing Twp., was the recipient of the 2011 Pennsylvania Narcotics Officers' Associations Unit Citation Award for Outstanding Police Performance.The award was presented by the Pennsylvania Narcotics Officers' Association on March 24th, 2011 during their annual conference and awards ceremony in Harrisburg, PA. Kissner is a Sergeant with the City of Bethlehem Police Department and received the award for his dedication, service, and commitment during the course of a three year investigation into gang and drug activity in Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley. The investigation led to the arrest of thirty-nine gang members and associates. During the course of the investigation Kissner supervised the Bethlehem Vice Unit which purchased and seized 48 handguns, 29 assault rifles, 1 automatic machine gun, 7 shotguns, and 9 vehicles, 4 pounds methamphetamine, _ Kilogram cocaine, 1 kilogram crack cocaine, 100 bundles heroin, marijuana, and ecstasy pills.The three year investigation concluded in July 2010 with the service of twenty-five simultaneous search warrants served utilizing over three hundred twenty law enforcement personal, five

S.W.A.T. teams, and covered several different states.Kissner is in his 21st year with the Bethlehem Police Department and has received 18 Letters of Commendation for exemplary and outstanding police service. He received numerous "Thank You" letters from community leaders and citizens expressing gratitude for his professionalism and care. He graduated from the Allentown Police Academy in 1991, serving as class Vice President and ranked third in his class.Born and raised in Palmerton, Kissner is the son of the late William J. Kissner Jr. and Patricia Evert and brother of Patty Kissner Judd. Kissner is a 1984 graduate of Palmerton Area High School. He is a 1988 graduate of Lehigh Carbon Community College, Dean's List 1986, with an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice and a 1990 Kutztown University graduate earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice.He has been married to Marlyn Kissner for the past 14 years; she is employed by the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce serving as Executive Vice President of Regional Chambers, Councils, and Borough Business Revitalization.Kissner is certified by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts to perform the duties of Magisterial District Judge and is cross filed on both the Democrat and Republican ballots for the May 17th Primary Election.