Administration Honors 27 Heroic Officers at 28th Hanna Awards - The Office of the Governor - Mass.Gov
State Agencies
State A-Z Topics
Alert - No Active Alerts
Skip to main content
Need help resizing text?
The official website of the Governor of Massachusetts
Governor
in Governor's
Deval Patrick
The Administration
Constituent Services
Home
Press Releases
Press Office
DEVAL PATRICK
GOVERNOR
TIM MURRAY
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
in
Governor's Office
Office
Search...
Press Office
Agenda
Legislation &
Executive Orders
Get Involved
For Immediate release - November 18, 2011
PATRICK-MURRAY ADMINISTRATION HONORS 27 HEROIC POLICE
OFFICERS AT 28TH ANNUAL HANNA AWARDS CEREMONY
Media Contact
Kim Haberlin
Alec Loftus
Bonnie McGilpin
617-725-4025
Terrel Harris (EOPSS)
617-727-7775 ext. 25542
Governor Patrick honors Massachusetts Law Enforcement Officers at the 28th Annual Trooper George L. Hanna Jr. Memorial
Awards for Bravery. (Photo: Eric Haynes / Governor's Office)
BOSTON - Friday, November 18, 2011 - Governor Deval Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray today honored 27 law
enforcement officers at the Massachusetts State House during the annual awards ceremony named after Massachusetts State
Trooper George L. Hanna.
“In recognition of the courageous and selfless actions these heroes displayed, Massachusetts owes them a debt of gratitude,”
said Governor Patrick. “This award recognizes officers whose actions have demonstrated bravery above and beyond expectations
and for that they are to be commended.”
The 28 th annual presentation of the Trooper George L. Hanna Memorial Awards for Bravery recognized 23 local police officers,
three Massachusetts state troopers, and one federal agent. The honorees demonstrated a wide range of heroic actions to keep
our communities safe and secure. “Our Administration thanks all law enforcement officers for their hard work and dedication in protecting communities across the
Commonwealth,” said Lieutenant Governor Murray. “Today, we especially applaud the heroic officers praised for their
extraordinary acts of courage, bravery, and service.”
Governor Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Murray presented the Medal of Honor posthumously to Woburn police officer John B.
Maguire, who was fatally shot last year as he rushed to a jewelry counter robbery at a department store. Officer Maguire’s widow,
http://www.mass.gov/governor/pressoffice/pressreleases/2011/111118-hanna-awards.html[6/14/2012 4:30:19 PM]
Administration Honors 27 Heroic Officers at 28th Hanna Awards - The Office of the Governor - Mass.Gov
children and brother accepted the award on his behalf.
“At the core of all of our brave law enforcement officers are the qualities of leadership, professionalism, selflessness and
commitment,” said Secretary of Public Safety and Security Mary Beth Heffernan. “But our winners here today have separated
themselves by taking the extra step, going above and beyond the call of duty to serve, save and protect the public safety.”
Trooper George L. Hanna had been a member of the State Police for nearly 10 years when, on the night of February 26, 1983,
he was fatally shot by three assailants after stopping a car in the town of Auburn. Trooper Hanna left his wife Marilyn and three
children, Deborah, Kimberly and Michael. The Hanna Awards have become a symbol of prestige within the law enforcement
community and the Commonwealth as a whole.
This year’s award winners are:
Meritorious Recognition
Boston Police Department: Detective Paul G. Schroeder, Detective Stephen E. Bearth, Officer Anthony Williams.
Chelsea Police Department: Officer Felix Rivera, Officer Joseph P. Capistran, Officer Thomas H. McLain Jr.
Medal of Valor
Everett Police Department: Officer Richard DiTrapano, Officer Daniel Tucker.
Fall River Police Department: Officer Eric Copsetta.
Lowell Police Department: Sergeant Stephen M. Morrill.
Massachusetts State Police: Trooper Barry M. Shea.
Medal of Valor and Medal of Honor Group Award
Boston Police Department: Sergeant Thomas J. Foley, Officer Greg R. Bowden, Officer Anthony J. Serra, Officer Manual
Blas, Officer Luis A. Lopez.
Massachusetts State Police: Trooper Walter F. Foley, Trooper Lawrence D. Richardson.
Medal of Honor Group Awards
Somerville Police Department: Lieutenant Gerald Reardon, Sergeant Joseph McCain, Detective Mario Oliveira, Detective
Ernest Nadile.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives: Special Agent Brian Higgins.
Worcester Police Department: Officer John Bossolt, Officer Thomas Drakos, Officer Terrence Gaffney.
Medal of Honor
Woburn Police Department: Officer John B. Maguire.
###
Follow us on Twitter – View our Photos – Watch our Videos © 2012 Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Mass.Gov® is a registered service mark of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
http://www.mass.gov/governor/pressoffice/pressreleases/2011/111118-hanna-awards.html[6/14/2012 4:30:19 PM]
Site Policies
Terms of Use
Contact the Governor's Office