Radnor's New Lieutenant 'Living The Dream'

If you’re someone who does not want to run into burning buildings or chase after criminals then you might not understand one of Radnor Township Police Department’s newest lieutenant Andrew Block when he says he’s “living the dream.”

Block, who was promoted from sergeant to lieutenant on Monday, June 18, said serving in the public safety sector is what he has always wanted to do with his life.

“I get satisfaction from helping people,” said Block, who is also Deputy Chief of Operations at the Gladwyne Fire Company, where is served as Chief from 2002 to 2011.

Block, a Lower Merion native who lives there still, started out his career in law enforcement in the Avalon, New Jersey, Police Department. He served in the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department and the Plymouth Township Police Department before being hired by Radnor in 1990.

He was a patrol officer until 1997, in the traffic safety unit until 2003, was made a detective, and then made a sergeant, the position in which he oversaw the patrol, traffic safety and investigation units.

Block is also a firearms and use of force instructor, and trains other officers in the department.

The lieutenant said he has seen a lot in the past 22 years. He said he will never forget being at the 1991 scene at Merion Elementary School, where a helicopter collided with Senator John Heinz's airplane. Everyone aboard both aircraft and two children were killed in the accident.

He recalls a nighttime fatal fire in the mid-1990s at the Wessex House apartments in Wayne; everyone involved was recognized by the Board of Commissioners for speedily evacuating the building.

Block said that people in Radnor are “very appreciative and supportive of the police department and fire companies.”

“I thoroughly enjoying working in the public safety sector, being able to provide service to someone who needs it,” he said. “It’s the greatest job in the world.”