For nearly three decades, Sgt. Todd Welch has been a familiar face in Newtown Square. Whether responding to an emergency, working with young students, volunteering in the community or honoring fellow officers who made the ultimate sacrifice, Todd has built a career centered on service. This past April, after nearly 30 years with the Newtown Township Police Department, Todd closed one chapter of his life and has begun a well-earned retirement.
For Todd, serving Newtown Square has always been personal. A lifelong resident and 1989 graduate of Marple Newtown High School, he grew up with a strong example of public service right at home. His father served as a Newtown Township police officer for 30 years, inspiring Todd to follow in his footsteps. Todd began volunteering with the Newtown Square Fire Company in 1988, entered the police academy after high school, and joined the Newtown Township Police Department in September 1996.
Over the years, Todd became much more than a police officer in the community he calls home. He spent many years teaching D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) at Culbertson Elementary School and St. Anastasia School, which allowed him to connect with countless young students. For more than two decades, he also organized a Community Helpers Day at Camp Garrett Williamson, sharing his time and experience with young
people and helping them better understand the important role first responders play in their community.
Todd’s service also extended beyond Newtown Township. He worked with the Delaware County Major Incident Response Team and SWAT Team and served as a Field Training Officer, helping prepare and mentor new officers entering the profession. Later, as a Sergeant, Todd continued to lead by example and share the knowledge he gained throughout his career.
His distinguished service earned him numerous commendations, including two Life Saving Awards, three Distinguished Unit Citations and a Meritorious Service Award. At a recent meeting, the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors proudly adopted Resolution 2026-20, recognizing Todd for his outstanding career and dedicated service to the residents of Newtown Township. Yet those who know Todd and have followed his story over the years know that his commitment to service has never been about recognition.
In 2024, Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors introduced readers to Todd’s involvement with the Police Unity Tour, a four-day, 270-mile bicycle ride to Washington, D.C. The annual journey raises awareness of law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty and supports the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and Museum. Todd has ridden in memory of fallen officers and has had the honor of escorting their families during memorial ceremonies in Washington.
“It was such an honor to put on my Class A Uniform that day and escort the families of the fallen to their seats,” Todd told us. “Their loved ones paid the ultimate price to better our communities, and we are there to assure them that their lives mattered, and their stories will continue to be told.” Especially meaningful this past May was that Todd rode not only as a retired officer, but with his wife, Devlin, by his side. “Devlin and I look forward to continuing to raise money and ride for this important cause.”
Last year, Todd shared another deeply personal story with our readers after suffering a heart attack while boogie boarding in Atlantic City. After spending a lifetime as a first responder, Todd suddenly found himself on the other side of an emergency when Atlantic City Beach Patrol lifeguards Kevin Wallace and Lt. Kyle Deroo rushed to save his life. CPR and the use of an AED helped revive him after his heart stopped.
The experience was a powerful reminder of the importance of training, teamwork and the dedication of first responders. It was also a full-circle moment for someone who has spent his life helping others.
Todd’s retirement marks the end of an extraordinary career with the Newtown Township Police Department, but his impact on Newtown Square cannot be measured simply in years of service, awards or commendations. It can be seen in the young students he taught, the families he supported, the neighbors he protected and his children: Megan, who serves as second vice president of the Newtown Square Fire Department; his son, Gavin, a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps and his step-son, Stephen, who is mentoring youth as a teacher and tennis coach.
On behalf of the friends and neighbors of Newtown Square, we congratulate you, Sgt. Todd Welch on your retirement and thank you for nearly 30 years of dedicated service. We wish you and your family all the best as you begin this next chapter filled with travel, adventure and plenty of scenic bike trails. After a lifetime of answering the call to serve others, you have certainly
earned it.