Atop a very busy summer of civic events, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard traveled to an Altoona conference, where it took first place in a statewide competition. A staff report in The Reporter noted the achievement.

The conference, the 99th meeting of the Annual Pa. Sheriff’s Association, drew more than 250 attendants from 67 counties across the commonwealth.

It was positioned as especially meaningful this year, as local law enforcement representatives — as with national counterparts — sought to ensure appropriate responses in a current environment of raised scrutiny and raise public opinion about their efforts.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard has 13 full-time members. Under its leader, Cpl. Terrence Cullin, the group has tightened up its appearance, training, and professionalism since taking over in 2014. His diligence is credited with contributing to the group’s top-winning appearance in upstate Pa.

The group is a regular participant in Montgomery County events that include Conshohocken’s St. Patrick’s Day parade and Norristown’s July 4th parade.

More about the honor earned by the county’s honor guard is at The Reporter.