Contact: Justin Latini, Dir. Of Public Affairs
508-422-3317
May 21, 2004
Correction Officers Praised for Action
On Friday, May 14, 2004 a patient at the Bridgewater State Hospital attacked another patient with a six-inch homemade weapon. Correction Officer Roger Marcotte and Sergeant Douglas Hall responded as the patient yielding the weapon retreated and momentarily held a unit director between himself and responding staff. At this time, SGT Hall and another patient were able to intervene and pull the patient away from the unit director. The patient then backed into a corridor and correctional staff contained the incident site by slamming the grill door shut and securing it.
While Deputy Superintendent Karin Bergeron and Lieutenant Steven Studley engaged in communications with the patient, Lieutenant Studely was able to reach out and retrieve the weapon away from him. Deputy Bergeron and Lieutenant Studley succeeded in deescalating the situation and managed to convince the patient to be restrained without force so that he could be taken to a secure location for evaluation.
Based upon intelligence gathered following the incident, facility Superintendent Kenneth Nelson ordered and coordinated a search of various sections of the institution, utilizing members of the Inner Perimeter Security Team and other correction officers. This search resulted in the seizure of one weapon and other contraband items as well as several internal patient and inmate moves.
"The quick thinking and immediate action of these staff members contained a dangerous situation and prevented it from escalating further. They should all be commended for their heroic actions," said Commissioner Dennehy.