Patrick-Murray Administration Honors 28 Heroic Police Officers

Posted by jcashman

Governor Deval Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray today honored 28 law enforcement officers and a tactical entry team at the annual awards ceremony named after Massachusetts State Trooper George L. Hanna.

“Every day, in countless ways, we are reminded of the crucial role police officers play in keeping our neighborhoods safe,” said Governor Patrick. “And we never can forget the dangers they face, the sacrifices they and their families make, and the debt we owe to them. It is of great importance that we recognize today’s award recipients. They truly are the finest, and the bravest.”

The 29th annual presentation of the Trooper George L. Hanna Memorial Awards for Bravery recognized 26 local police officers, two Massachusetts state troopers, and the Boston Police Special Weapons and Tactical Operations Team. The honorees have demonstrated a wide range of heroic actions to keep our communities safe.

“We value the tremendous efforts of our law enforcement who work tirelessly to protect our communities,” said Lieutenant Governor Murray. “Today, we honor and recognize the extreme heroism shown by these extraordinary individuals, and we thank them for their service and for protecting the residents of Massachusetts.”

Governor Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Murray addressed the honorees and their family members, friends and colleagues gathered at the ceremony held at the University of Massachusetts at Boston. The ceremony was led by master of ceremonies Public Safety and Security Secretary Mary Elizabeth Heffernan and featured honor guards from three police departments and the State Police Pipes and Drums.

“There is a common thread that runs through the different stories of heroism recounted today. In each of them, the police officers who sprang into action in a moment’s notice did so without regard for their own safety, but rather, for the public good,” said Public Safety Secretary Mary Beth Heffernan. “They have shown themselves to be the epitome of professionalism, selflessness and commitment in the face of danger.”

Trooper George L. Hanna had been a member of the State Police for nearly 10 years when, on the night of Feb. 26, 1983, he was fatally shot by three assailants after stopping a car in the town of Auburn. Trooper Hanna left his wife Marilyn and three children, Deborah, Kimberly and Michael. The Hanna Awards have become a symbol of prestige within the law enforcement community and the Commonwealth as a whole.

This year’s award recipients are:

Meritorious Recognition

Boston Police Department: Detective Michael A. Kane, Officer Timothy Denio, Officer Charbel Kamel.

Meritorious Recognition Group Awards

Boston Police Department: Lieutenant Gerard W. Bailey, Sergeant Michael C. O’Hara, Detective Todd M. Hartgrove, Detective Christopher A. Moreno, Officer Kevin R. Cooper, Officer Amyleigh P. DeVito, Officer Joseph M. Hynes, Officer Thomas Killion, Officer Yong W. Lee, Officer Darryl V. Tran.

Boston Police Department: Special Weapons and Tactics Team.

Medal of Valor

Boston Police Department: Officer Matthew F. Becker, Officer Daniel Casali, Officer Daniel G. Griffin, Officer Bruce W. Higgins, Officer Shawn P. Marando.

Pepperell Police Department: Officer Steven Burke.

Massachusetts State Police: Trooper Shawn McIntyre.

Woburn Police Department: Officer Robert DeNapoli.

Medal of Honor

Boston Police Department: Officer Dennis J. Murphy, Officer Francesco G. Recupero.

Massachusetts State Police: Trooper Stephen J. Gregorczyk.

Springfield Police Department: Lieutenant Alberto Ayala, Officer Raul Gonzales, Officer Marcus Starks.

Woburn Police Department: Officer Mark Gibbons.

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Posted by jcashman on Oct 24 2012. Filed under Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry