Trooper, Boston officer among 28 to get Hanna awards

By John R. Ellement, Globe Staff

Jimi Grasso and Stephen P. Romano smiled at one another today following a State House ceremony where they were honored for an incident that left Romano wounded as the two law enforcement officers fought a gunman on a Dorchester street last year.

Grasso, a Massachusetts state trooper, and Romano, a Boston police officer, were among the 28 officers across the state awarded the George L. Hanna, Jr. Medal of Honor by Governor Deval Patrick, the highest award for a police officer in the state.

During the struggle with the suspect on Bowdoin Street in May 23, 2007, a bullet from Grasso's weapon struck Romano in the chest.

"It was a traumatic experience,'' Grasso said of the confrontation when he was working with the city's Youth Violence Strike Force. "I'm grateful that it all worked out.''

Romano, who politely avoided talking in detail about the shooting today, said he was grateful to Grasso for his intervention.

"My partner saved my life that night,'' Romano said while holding one of his three young children. "I want to say thank you to him again.''

In a separate interview, Boston Police Commissioner Edward F. Davis said he remains relieved that Romano survived the gunfire and was able to receive his medal in person.

"Sometimes, these stories end in tragedy,'' Davis said. He said Romano has since been promoted to detective and now works in the department's fugitive unit.

According to authorities, Romano and Grasso were patrolling in the Bowdoin Street area when they spotted two suspected gang members from another neighborhood riding bikes into the area, suggesting violence was about to break out on a city street.

As the officers tried to talk with the suspects, one stayed and the other fled. The officers pursued the fleeing suspect, who pulled out a .357 caliber handgun and fired at the officers.

Romano grabbed hold of the suspect. "Even after the shots were fired, Officer Romano refused to release his hold on the suspect and continued to struggle with him,'' Kevin Burke, state public safety secretary, said at the ceremony.

Grasso opened fire on the suspect, wounding him, but also wounding Romano when the bullet ricocheted into him.

"The actions of Officer Romano and Trooper Grasso prevented further injury to police officers and innocent people who live along that street, and brought a dangerous armed felon to justice,'' Burke said.

The ceremony was the 25th time police were honored in the name of Hanna, a state trooper who was murdered in 1983.

Medals of Valor were also awarded to officers involved in the following incidents:

-- Transit Police Detective Robert C. Pavia, who forced gunmen to stop when they threatened people standing outside the Reggie Lewis Center in Roxbury on April 21, 2007. Four loaded guns were recovered, and no civilians were hurt.

-- Somerville Police Officer Kevin Shackleford, who wrestled a man armed with a .40 caliber handgun into custody moments after the man fired five shots into a man as he left a Somerville bar.

-- Six Springfield opfficers and three state troopers, who were fired upon by a violent fugitive who was fatally wounded as he tried to escape officers who had surrounded his hideout. No civilians were injured.

Boston police officers Rance R.C. Cooley and Sergeant David S. Gavin, who disarmed gang members without injury to the suspects or civilians. A total of four stolen firearms were recovered.

Officers from Boston, Dalton, Malden, and Milton also received medals of merit.

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