State Police Honor 33 For Bravery and Service

The Massachusetts State Police in November honored 22 troopers, along with seven members of the New Bedford Police Department and four civilians for various contributions to public safety, acts of bravery, and police work beyond the normal call of duty. The awards ceremony, held at the Grand Staircase of the State House, was led by Undersecretary of Law Enforcement and Fire Services Kurt N. Schwartz and Colonel Mark F. Delaney, Superintendent of the State Police.

Secretary of Public Safety Kevin Burke, in statement, noted: "Today we recognize men and women for their courage. Our honorees deserve much more than medals for the heroism they display as they fearlessly perform their duties every day so we also offer our heartfelt thanks to each of them and to their families."

"All of our award recipients acted out of a belief in their obligation to protect their communities from harm, despite, in some cases, the clear and present risk of harm to their own well-being," Colonel Delaney said. "All acted out of a sense of duty to their fellow citizens without expectation of reward, and acted simply because it was the right thing to do … From rendering aid to persons in peril, to making whole communities safer through removal of violent criminals, the award recipients have improved the safety and quality of life for our communities, and deserve our respect and praise."

Award recipients were as follows:


THE MEDAL OF VALOR - Established to bestow recognition upon sworn police personnel who have performed specific acts of bravery or have exhibited outstanding courage while performing their duties.

Detective Lieutenant Stephen M. O'Reilly East Taunton
Trooper Michael J. Peters Wareham

T HE MEDAL OF MERIT - Established to bestow recognition upon police personnel who have performed specific acts of outstanding achievement far exceeding normal demands of the Department, which greatly contribute to the operation of the Department.

Trooper David A. Patterson Franklin
Trooper Michael S. Mazza Westfield
Trooper Henot Rivera Westfield
Trooper Peter J. Konstantakoe Hampden
Trooper Matthew J. Donah Belchertown
Trooper Michael G. Trombley
Sergeant David S. Skelly Pepperell
Trooper Edward H. Troy Andover


T HE MEDAL OF LIFESAVING - Established to bestow recognition upon sworn police personnel who undertake significant actions in the saving of another life.

Trooper Joseph D. Hickey Bradford
Trooper Wilserd Montina Malden
Sergeant John J. Rota Easton
Trooper Brian F. Dunn Quincy
Trooper Sean R. Reardon Rockland
Trooper John B. Sullivan Marshfield
Trooper Anthony A. Alestock Haverhill

SUPERINTENDENT'S COMMENDATION - Established to bestow recognition upon any person who has made an exceptional contribution to the Massachusetts State Police.

Lieutenant Francis M. McGinn
Trooper Joseph M. Collins, Jr.
Trooper Paul G. Dockrey Lakeville
Trooper Chad W. Laliberte Taunton
Trooper Daniel H. Thom W.Bridgewater
Sergeant Paul M. Demers New Bedford
Detective Scott A. Brown
Detective Stephen J. Brown New Bedford
Detective Raymond R. Ouimette New Bedford
Detective Shane M. Reul New Bedford
Detective William A. Sauve New Bedford
Detective William E. Westgate New Bedford


T HE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD - Established as the highest award to bestow recognition upon a civilian who has provided extraordinary assistance to the Department.

Colonel Thomas J. Foley (Retired) Worcester

T HE LIFESAVING AWARD - Established to bestow recognition upon civilian personnel who undertake significant actions in the saving of another life.

Ms. Candace K. Ferry Malden
Mr. Matthew M. Connor Nahant


THE PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD - Established to recognize a civilian member of the Department, or a member of the public who has provided outstanding assistance to the Department, or has significantly contributed to public safety.

Ms. Cheryl A. Jackson New Bedford