Officers honored for bravery

By Brian R. Ballou, Globe Staff

Their heroism ranged from jumping into a manhole to rescue workers overcome by noxious fumes to subduing armed suspects on violent rages, and for their actions, 27 police officers and one state trooper were recognized this morning with the Trooper George L. Hanna awards, given annual for acts of bravery by law enforcement workers.

The award, named after a trooper who lost his life in the line of duty in 1983, was given out by Governor Deval Patrick, Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray, and Hanna's two daughters, Deborah and Kimberly. The awards ranged from Meritorious Recognition to the Medal of Honor, the highest award.

Fifteen Boston Police officers were handed awards, including 10 officers singled out for quelling a gang-related melee inside a Theater district nightclub early last year. Four Brockton Police officers were given awards, including two officers given the Medal of Honor.

"Today the duties of police officers are greater than every, they put their lives on the line every
day," Kevin Burke, the secretary of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, said before the awards were given out. This year marks the 26th anniversary of the awards ceremony.

In several cases, officers found themselves in situations where they narrowly escaped being shot or stabbed. And in some cases, they were injured. Springfield Police officer Kevin Fitzgerald responded to a complaint of an unruly teenager refusing to cooperate with his mother. Upon responding to a residence, the teen lunged at the officer with a knife,
stabbing him in the chest.  Police subdued the boy and Fitzgerald later recovered from his wound and was able to return to duty.