Glenside Girl Gets DA Commendation

Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman called several law enforcement officers to the center of Courtroom A yesterday to be honored as part of law enforcement appreciation month, but a few civilians got the nod as well.

Alexa Marie Watters, a 17-year-old Glenside resident, was recognized for her help in capturing , who robbed her house in June 2011.

“We expect police officers to be brave, because that's what we're trained to do,” Ferman said, “but when a 17 year old displays incredible courage and bravery, that’s something worthy of special attention. That’s why we’re here today.”

, broke into a house in the 2300 block of Oakdale Avenue, confronted and threatened Watters.

Reading from the commendation, Ferman said, “Near the end of this terrifying home invasion, Dade told Alexa to lie on the floor and count to 200. Before Dade left the room, he told Alexa that he would hurt her if she got up from the floor. Furthermore, he told Alexa that he would kill her if she tried any tricks. Despite these threats, Alexa got up and dialed 9-1-1 on her home phone as she continued to count aloud. In order to avoid detection from Dade, she left the phone off of the hook, and returned to the floor to continue counting.”

The smiling, calm and diminutive Watters accepted her commendation and thanked the officers. She also had the same demeanor while waiting for Dade’s preliminary hearing last year, which he waived. 

“I’d like to thank all the police and the detectives that helped make a very difficult situation a lot easier,” Watters said.

Watters will be attending Drexel University.