Submitted on behalf of the Bedford Police Department
Chief Robert Bongiorno is pleased to announce that several officers were honored at this year’s Bedford Police Department Awards Ceremony, held at Middlesex Community College in front of family, friends and fellow officers.
“I would like to congratulate each member of the department who received an award on their outstanding achievements and dedication to the community and public service,” Chief Bongiorno said. “It is an honor to work alongside these dedicated officers and watch their passion and skills in action every day.”
Officer of the Year
Officer Jared Weisenborn was honored as the “Officer of the Year,” an award which is given to the officer who continuously performs above average police work to the department and town. The award is well deserved for Officer Weisenborn, who has shown a consistent work ethic and outstanding performance to his department and the town’s citizens.
Certificates of Commendation
Two dozen officers were presented with the department’s Certificate of Commendation, an award given for officer’s involved in incidents that show commitment and dedication to the public.
Those honored include Officer Abajian, Officer Barry, Officer Busa, Officer Dineen, Officer Devine, Emergency Communications Officer Dooley, Emergency Communications Officer Foy, Officer French, Lt. Graham, Detective Hunt, Officer Isnor, Lt. Jones, Emergency Communications Officer Marshall, Officer Martin, Officer Naylor, Emergency Communications Officer Newman, Officer Maloney, Officer Reid, Officer Saucier, Sgt. Saunders, Sgt. Towle, Emergency Communications Officer Vinciulla, Sgt. Vitale, Officer Waite, and Sgt. Wardwell.
Spirit Awards
Additionally, the department gave out 17 Spirit awards to 16 officers for their inspiration, motivation and dedication to police service through this year’s youth basketball program.
Those honored include Officer Abajian, Sgt. Barbieri, Officer Barry, Emergency Communications Officer Brooks, Officer Busa, Officer Dineen, Officer French, Officer Isnor, Animal Control Officer Leskouski, Officer Maloney, Emergency Communications Officer Brendan Marshall, Officer Martin, Officer Pike, Emergency Communications Officer Vinciulla, Officer Waite, and Sgt. Wardwell.
Incidents of Note
The following circumstances are just some of the many Bedford police officers are faced with while on duty and they do not do justice to the valiant dedication the officers showed during these incidents.
- Police were dispatched to the Double Tree Hotel for a possible heroin overdose. Upon arrival, the officer observed a male on the floor who was non-responsive with labored breathing. His girlfriend stated that he tried heroin for the first time that night. The officer immediately began CPR and administered Nasal Narcan. Prior to the arrival of Bedford Fire, the victim was conscious and alert and subsequently transported to the hospital for recovery.
- Police responded to Pine Hill Road for a house fire. Upon arrival, an officer observed that the driveway was blocked by downed trees. A resident who fled said there was a fire in the rear of the house and that her parents were still inside. Two officers went in the back door and found the two residents on the second floor. They were able to get them to safety before returning to the home to verify that no one else was inside.
- An Emergency Communications Officer answered a 911 call from a distraught woman who explained that medical assistance was needed for her boyfriend, who she feared was trying to take his own life. The ECO calmly remained on the line and was able to direct police resources to the area. As a result of the quick actions of the ECO, he was also able to direct fire personnel and keep the caller on the line, while maintaining radio contact with the officers on scene.
- Police assisted in a missing person investigation from Saran Avenue. The missing person was known to be suffering from a substance abuse disorder and had been last seen more than 14 hours earlier. Based on prior interactions with the person, the officer determined that the subject may be on the Evergreen Avenue Path. As police were awaiting the arrival of a K-9 Team, he checked the path and within minutes found the subject lying unconscious and exposed to the elements. The officer immediately called for rescue and the person was transported to the hospital for treatment.
- An officer was traveling on the Middlesex Turnpike toward Crosby Drive. The officer’s attention was drawn to a vehicle stopped facing the opposite lane of travel. As the officer approached, he found the operator was slumped behind the wheel and unconscious. He immediately pulled the man from the vehicle and began CPR. Falling back on his training and experience, the officer believed the individual may have overdosed on an opiate and he immediately administered Nasal Narcan. Prior to the arrival of Bedford Fire, he administered a second dose. Once the man was loaded into a fire department ambulance, he regained consciousness and began to communicate with rescuers.
- On other various incidents, Bedford Police responded to an armed home invasion in which law enforcement dealt with a violent assault, leading to a serious shot gun wound to an officer. Fortunately, through investigations and follow-through they arrested those responsible for the home invasion. Our officers also responded to a daytime breaking and entering and arrested four individuals for the crime. During the incident, a notebook was found that led to a series of breaks throughout New England. Also, an armed and dangerous felon was captured during a multi-jurisdictional pursuit that ended in Bedford.
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