Trooper Jeffrey K. Marsh #3148, SP Belchertown
On Thursday, December 16, 2011 at 1115 hours, Trooper Jeffrey K. Marsh #3148, along with a Belchertown Police Officer, were first to arrive at the scene of a medical call in the Town of Belchertown involving an infant. Tragically, despite their attempts at resuscitation, the infant did not survive. D/Lt Robin Whitney and several troopers assigned to the Hampshire/Franklin SPDU office ultimately responded to assist Belchertown Police in the investigation. For the next several hours, while the scene was processed and the circumstances investigated, Trooper Marsh remained in the basement with the deceased infant's older siblings. D/Lt Whitney and other SPDU officers were effusive in their praise for the manner in which Trooper Marsh conducted himself and remained on scene to care for these children under incredibly difficult circumstances. Trooper Marsh (himself the father of two) prepared food for the children, read books to them and kept them occupied, even changing diapers, all while the investigation into the circumstances of the death was being conducted on the floor above them by the various state and local investigators present. Already an incredibly hard working trooper with nearly 80 arrests/summonses and 700 citations for the year, Trooper Marsh demonstrated the other qualities of a State Police officer that are sometimes overlooked. D/Lt Whitney has submitted a Supervisory Observation Report in the hope that his actions on this date will be recognized.
Trooper Donald C. Gray #2531, SP Leominster
On November 24, 2010 at approximately 0230 hours, Trooper Donald Gray was on patrol when he heard Leominster PD BOLO for an armed robbery that had just occurred in their City. Two subjects entered a CVS Pharmacy and had been observed stealing numerous items from the electronics section. The two men took a small 13" TV and several digital cameras. The two men were running toward the front door when they were confronted by the store clerk. One of the men stated to the clerk, "Move I got a gun". Trooper Gray arrived at the scene within one minute of Leominster receiving the 911 call. Trooper Gray quickly ascertained enough pertinent information regarding the subjects to initiate a search for the suspect's vehicle in the City of Fitchburg. Within moments, Trooper Gray spotted the suspect's vehicle and, with the help of Fitchburg PD, conducted a felony stop. Four men occupied the vehicle. Inside the vehicle, the stolen electronics and a large replica revolver were found underneath the front seat of the van. After positive witness identification, all four men were taken into custody and transported to SP Leominster where they were booked for Armed Robbery. Great Job, Donnie!
Noteworthy Events Certificate of Recognition Recipient ~ January 2011
Trooper Michael T. Travers #3519, SP Holden
On January 20, 2011, Trooper Michael Travers was on patrol of Route 290 in the Town of Shrewsbury. At 0120 hours he initiated a motor vehicle stop. The vehicle was observed to operate erratically and was extremely slow in stopping, operating in the breakdown lane for approximately ¾ of a mile. Upon the vehicle stopping, Trooper Travers approached the vehicle and observed three parties in same. He requested information from the operator who did not have his license on him and gave Trooper Travers verbal information only. Trooper Travers ran the information that the operator had given and the RMV picture was clearly not the operator. Trooper Travers called for additional cruisers and then approached the vehicle and asked the operator to exit the vehicle. When Trooper Travers confronted the operator with the information the operator stated that he wanted to make a deal. Trooper Travers, at this point, attempted to place the subject into custody. The subject attempted to flee and a violent struggle ensued. The subject was swinging wildly at Trooper Travers and pushed Trooper Travers into the middle travel lane where the struggle continued. As traffic approached, Trooper Travers used striking techniques and both parties went to the pavement. The subject broke free and ran down the breakdown lane with Trooper Travers in foot pursuit. After chasing the subject through snow, Trooper Travers caught up to the subject who continued to resist. At this point Trooper Travers placed the subject into custody. The subject was booked at SP Holden where he was properly identified and arrested for a myriad of charges.
Noteworthy Events Certificate of Recognition Recipient ~ February 2011
Trooper Corey D. Benoit #3073, SP Athol
On February 8, 2011 at 2305 hours, Trooper Corey Benoit, SP Athol, stopped a motor vehicle on Chestnut Hill Avenue in the Town of Athol for an expired inspection sticker violation. Upon approaching the vehicle, Trooper Benoit detected an odor of burnt marijuana emitting from the vehicle. Subsequent search of the vehicle revealed 20 individual baggies of marijuana. The passenger admitted ownership and was placed under arrest. Trooper Benoit conducted a thorough interview with the suspect at C-1 and the subject admitted that he both cultivated and sold marijuana out of his residence. On the following day, Trooper Powers applied for and received a search warrant for the residence. He also seized the laptop and cell phone subject had in his vehicle and same will be analyzed. Seized from the residence were multiple firearms and cultivation equipment as well as marijuana paraphernalia. The weapons were found to be owned by the subject's father who had an expired license to carry. He was subsequently charged with several firearms violations.
