Business Details
50 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Security Partner in Washington, PA
Founded in 1976 by John Petronka, Sentinel Security & Investigations has served Southwestern Pennsylvania for 49 years, delivering expert security guard services, private investigations, and process service. Our second-generation owner, Chris Petronka, brings 37 years of industry experience and advanced education in economics and business administration. We prioritize personalized service, building long-term client relationships through reliability and tailored security solutions.Our team includes licensed investigators with specialized expertise in sex crimes, civil litigation, and surveillance, supported by decades of combined law enforcement experience. We maintain high ethical standards, operating with confidentiality and legal compliance while serving diverse clients from private citizens to industrial sectors.
Services
Security Guards
Private Investigations
Process Servers
Surveillance Services
Criminal Investigations
Civil Litigation Support
Workers Compensation Investigations
Event Security
Details
- Year established: 1976
Highlights and features
- 49 years of specialized security and investigation experience
- Second-generation owner with advanced business education and 37 industry years
- Licensed investigators with combined 50 years of law enforcement expertise
- Custom security plans for 4-24 hour daily coverage
- Ethical operations with strict client confidentiality protocols
Associations and certifications
- Pennsylvania Association of Licensed Investigators
What people say
Most dependable security company
Experienced investigators
Personalized service
Legal admissibility expertise
24/7 availability
Services
Security Guards
Professional uniformed security officers provide commercial and residential protection with flexible scheduling options. Our guards implement crime prevention strategies and maintain visible deterrence at locations including office buildings, construction sites, and special events. With decades of experience, we deliver tailored security solutions for both short-term and ongoing needs.
Private Investigations
Licensed investigators conduct comprehensive civil, criminal, and corporate investigations with legal admissibility. Our team specializes in sex crimes, workers compensation fraud, and due diligence checks while maintaining strict confidentiality. We combine traditional fieldwork with modern research techniques to produce actionable intelligence for attorneys and private clients.
Surveillance Services
Advanced surveillance operations utilize discreet equipment and experienced personnel for evidence collection. We conduct both physical and digital monitoring while adhering to legal standards. Our investigators document activities through photographic, video, and observational methods to support civil litigation, insurance claims, and criminal defense cases.
Process Servers
Certified process servers ensure timely and accurate delivery of legal documents across Southwestern Pennsylvania. We maintain strict chain-of-custody protocols while serving subpoenas, summons, and court orders. Our experienced team provides proof of service documentation with jurisdictional compliance for both civil and criminal proceedings.
Criminal Investigations
Specialized criminal investigations focus on sex crimes, fraud, and complex case support with law enforcement collaboration. Our investigators have decades of combined experience working with local, state, and federal agencies. We employ forensic techniques and witness interviews to build comprehensive case files for prosecution or defense purposes.
People
Chris Petronka
Owner & Private Investigator
Second-generation security professional with 37 years of experience, licensed PI for 25+ years. Holds economics degree from Allegheny College and MBA from Kent State University. Maintains law enforcement contacts at all government levels.
Dan Rush
Private Investigator
Former Washington, PA police chief and criminal investigator with 23 years military service. Combines 20+ years law enforcement experience with investigative expertise. Specializes in field operations and evidence collection.
Evan Petronka
Associate Investigator
Next-generation investigator with 5 years mentorship experience. Provides modern investigative techniques and digital evidence analysis. Focuses on technological integration with traditional investigative methods.
Questions
What security services do you offer in Washington, PA?
We provide uniformed security guards, 24/7 patrol services, event security, and customized protection plans for businesses and individuals in Washington and surrounding areas.
Do you handle both civil and criminal investigations?
Yes, our licensed investigators specialize in civil litigation support, criminal case analysis, and complex investigations including sex crimes and fraud detection.
How quickly can I get emergency security services?
Our 24/7 emergency response team can deploy security personnel within 30 minutes of contact in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
What qualifications do your investigators have?
Our team includes former law enforcement officers, military veterans, and licensed PIs with combined 50+ years of investigative experience and advanced education credentials.
Can you assist with workers compensation fraud investigations?
Yes, we conduct comprehensive investigations into workers compensation claims using surveillance and evidence collection to identify fraudulent activity.
Do you serve both businesses and private individuals?
We serve diverse clients including corporations, attorneys, government agencies, and private citizens with tailored security and investigative solutions.
