PLYMOUTH — A Lower Merion Township man who was killed while trying to save his wounded mother from armed intruders during a home invasion robbery was posthumously awarded a civilian commendation for heroism by Montgomery County’s top law enforcement officer.
“Heroism is defined as exceptional courage and bravery, particularly when facing danger or performing self-sacrificing actions for the benefit of others. Andrew Gaudio embodied the very definition of ‘hero’ that night when he rushed to save his mother,” Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele said as he presented the commendation to Gaudio’s mother, Bernadette, during a ceremony at the county’s Public Safety Training Campus in Plymouth Township.
Bernadette Gaudio beamed with pride as Steele approached her and presented the commendation that honored her son for what Steele said was his “ultimate sacrifice.”
During the 2:20 a.m. Dec. 8, 2024, home invasion, Bernadette Gaudio, 61, suffered gunshot wounds that left her paralyzed and her son, Andrew, 25, was fatally shot.
Bernadette Gaudio with her sons, Andrew, on right, and Robert, on left. (Photo courtesy GoFundMe)
The home invasion was carried out by Charles Edward Fulforth, 41, of Jenkintown, and Kelvin Roberts Jr., 42, of Philadelphia, who were later convicted by a jury of first-degree murder and were sentenced to life prison terms.
“Andrew was just 25 years old when he was asleep and jumped out of bed after hearing gunshots in his mother’s bedroom. Without any consideration for his own safety, he ran unarmed out of his bedroom, into the hallway and confronted Fulforth and Roberts, who shot him,” explained Steele, his voice quaking with emotion at times. “Yet he still tried to reach his mother to help her, making it into her bedroom, where he collapsed and was then executed by Fulforth.”
“This senseless, horrific murder and crime impacted a beautiful family and moved the entire Philadelphia area,” Steele added.
Montgomery County DA Kevin Steele presents Bernadette Gaudio with a commendation honoring the heroism of her son, Andrew. (Photo by Carl Hessler Jr. – MediaNews Group)
During the trial, Bernadette Gaudio, who was shot in the neck and left paralyzed, testified that her son was shot as he rushed from another bedroom to her aid after one of the intruders shot her.
During the trial, prosecutors argued Fulforth and Roberts were motivated by greed and determined to use violence while looking to steal guns from a residence to support their gun trafficking “side hustle.” Armed with information from a third man, Fulforth and Roberts mistakenly went to the wrong residence.
A third man charged in connection with the deadly incident, Jeremy Fuentes, 27, of Philadelphia, who prosecutors said provided information that was the impetus for Roberts and Fulforth to carry out the deadly home invasion robbery, was sentenced to life imprisonment after he was convicted of charges of second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit robbery and burglary.
Montgomery County DA Kevin Steele presents commedation for exception performance to Lower Merion detectives and police officers. (Photo courtesy Montgomery County District Attorney)
Steele also presented six Lower Merion detectives and police officers who investigated the deadly home invasion with commendations for “exceptional performance.” They are: Detective James Black; Sergeant Ronald Eckert; Sergeant Josephine Murray; Officer Jeffrey Seamans; Officer Michael Theiss; and Officer Corwyn Wasson.
Steele said “due to the superb work of these Lower Merion Township officers” and the prosecution team of First Assistant District Attorney Edward McCann Jr. and Deputy District Attorney Brianna Ringwood “we obtained justice for the Gaudio family.”
The commendations were among honors handed to 20 law enforcement officers and six civilians on May 13 during Steele’s annual law enforcement commendation ceremony. Steele said commendations are awarded to those who make extraordinary efforts and perform exemplary work in protecting and serving county residents.
“Montgomery County wouldn’t be the safe and wonderful place it is without this teamwork between law enforcement agencies and civilians,” Steele said.