Thursday, 4:30 PM
Boston Police honor officers for good work
By Brian R. Ballou, Globe Staff
Thirty-five Boston Police officers were honored with commendations today to recognize work that included disarming a man reaching for his gun outside a crowded nightclub and cracking a series of bank and convenience store robberies.
Family members watched as Commissioner Edward F. Davis shook the hand of each officer at a ceremony at police headquarters while Mayor Thomas M. Menino handed out wooden plaques.
"I'm very excited to receive the award,'' said Linda Stanford, 36, a 12-year veteran of the department, adding "It was just old fashioned police work."
Stanford and officer Kevin Smith, 39, both noticed a photograph hanging on a department wall last March from a bank surveillance camera that showed the image of a man suspected in a robbery of a Citizens Bank on Avenue de Lafayette.
"We immediately knew who it was," said Smith, who had previously arrested the suspect for assault. Their information led to the arrest of the suspect, who was also charged with three bank robberies and two robberies at a local Store 24.
The commendations were awarded for "remarkable acts that demonstrate ceaseless dedication and bravery," according to a police spokeswoman.
