News  Lowell District Court Probation Officer James Biggs is presented with the Margaret E. Oglesby Award for military service

Above: Matthew DeVeau, Susan Forzese, Pamerson Ifill, James Biggs, Frank Oglesby, Dianne Fasano, Paul Prentiss , and Antonio Padilla

The award is named in honor of Mrs. Oglesby, a military hero and late MPS Chief Probation Officer and Major in the United States Army National Guard, who passed away in 2020. Mrs. Oglesby was awarded a Bronze medal for her service in Afghanistan where she was deployed for nine months during “Operation Enduring Freedom.” She was responsible for commanding 154 soldiers as the Commander of the 747th Military Police Company with around the clock operations. She also trained the first Afghan military police company. Prior to her service in Afghanistan, Mrs. Oglesby also served the country as a member of the military by protecting the nation’s airports immediately following the 9/11 attacks.

The award ceremony is one of numerous events being held across the state as part of the Massachusetts Trial Court’s 8th Annual Cultural Appreciation Week. MTOC is a Signature Court event. A Signature Court is a court or Community Justice Support Center site visited by court, state, and local leaders.

Massachusetts Trial Court Chief Justice Heidi Brieger, whose family members served in the military, addressed the audience—which included military veterans, Mr. Biggs family and co-workers.

“I want to focus on a subset of Cultural Appreciation Week, military family appreciation. It is what our country is all about. Being in the military is a great equalizer and an opportunity to honor the obligation to all the people who reside in the great free United States of America.”

Mr. Oglesby, Mrs. Oglesby’s husband of more than 30 years, congratulated Mr. Biggs and thanked MPS for honoring his wife each year.

Mr. Biggs began his military service at age 41 in 2009. He served as an E-4 Army Specialist. In 2010, he was deployed to Afghanistan where he oversaw yard operations and convey set-up. While deployed, he worked closely with Afghan nationals on the base and organized a shoe drive to help the Afghan people.

Mr. Biggs is the recipient of numerous awards, including:

• The Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Campaign Star
• Army Commendation Medal
• Army Achievement Medal
• National Defense Service Medal
• Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
• Army Service Medal
• Overseas Service Medal