Massachusetts Officers Recognized for Exceptional Bravery

Eighteen police officers from five communities across Massachusetts were honored for their courage and dedication at the 43rd Annual Trooper George L. Hanna Memorial Awards for Bravery. The ceremony took place at the State House in Boston, highlighting acts of officer heroism and law enforcement courage over the past year.

The Significance of the Hanna Memorial Awards

The Hanna Memorial Awards represent Massachusetts’ highest honor for bravery in law enforcement. Established to recognize officers who put their lives at risk in service to public safety, the awards are named for Trooper George Hanna, a Massachusetts State Trooper killed during a 1983 traffic stop. Since their inception, 200 officers have been recognized for their heroic actions.

Fall River Officers Honored for Fire Response

A central highlight of this year’s ceremony was the recognition of 13 Fall River police officers. These officers were awarded medals of valor for their response to a deadly fire at the Gabriel House assisted living facility in Fall River last year. They worked together to rescue residents as the building was engulfed in flames. Despite their efforts, ten people tragically lost their lives in the blaze.

Reflecting on the experience, Fall River Police Sgt. Shane Gallus said, “That night was uncontrolled chaos at one point, but this group here – we all brought it together. We kind of did our thing together, and it was a lot, but these guys did an unbelieveable amount of work.”

The State’s Highest Award: Medal of Honor

Holyoke police officer Steven Negron received the state’s highest law enforcement honor, the medal of honor, for his response to an incident at the Holyoke Mall in July. Negron shot a teenaged shoplifting suspect in the leg after coming under fire. According to Holyoke Police Chief Brian Keenan, “Officer Negron was cool as a cucumber, was able to get down on one knee, return fire at the suspect and neutralize him. And what I’m extremely proud of is the compassion he’s shown. After the suspect at him, he rendered first aid. The suspect actually survived.” Officer Negron noted that the support of his peers helped him return to duty following the incident.

Other Officers Recognized for Bravery

Several other Massachusetts police officers were highlighted for their courageous actions:

• Boston police officer Jose Valenzuela, who intervened in a knife attack at a Chick-fil-A restaurant.
• Boston police officer Gerard Colpoys, who has recovered after being shot while pursuing a suspect.
• Burlington police officer Aurise Miedico, who confronted a suspect experiencing a mental health crisis and was attacked with a knife.
• Everett police detective Daniel Wall, who stopped a man carjacking a trash truck near the Encore Casino and secured the driver’s safety.

Acknowledging Commitment to Public Safety

During the ceremony, Governor Maura Healey addressed the honorees, emphasizing the state's gratitude for their commitment. “Know that we are forever grateful for your service, we are proud of you for your courage, and just as you’ve always had our backs, we will always have yours,” Healey said.

Deb Hanna, daughter of Trooper George Hanna, also spoke, sharing that her father’s legacy continues to inspire officers to courageous service each year. “In a single horrific moment, his life was stolen, and our family was changed forever,” she said.

A Tradition of Police Recognition

The Hanna Memorial Awards continue to serve as a powerful acknowledgment of the risks and sacrifices undertaken by Massachusetts police officers. By publicly recognizing officer heroism and law enforcement courage, the awards reinforce the state’s commitment to public safety and honor the legacy of Trooper George Hanna. The annual State House ceremony remains an important event for police bravery awards and the broader law enforcement community.

Source: whdh.com.