For Immediate Release

Monday, May 6, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: ben@jgpr.net

Randolph Police Officers Honored with Award for Lifesaving Efforts

RANDOLPH — Chief William Pace is pleased to announce that three Randolph Police officers were honored today for their efforts in helping to save the life of a suicidal man last December, using the newly implemented Text-to-911 program.

Detective Kristen Gagnon, Officer Richard Lucey and Officer Scott Sherman received the Robert P. Dana Distinguished Service Award for Law Enforcement at a ceremony at Quincy District Court to celebrate Law Day today. The award was presented by Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey.

On Wednesday, Dec. 19, Randolph Police Officer and Dispatcher Scott Sherman received a text via the newly implemented Text-to-911 program from a 23-year-old man who was threatening to kill himself.

Detective Kristen Gagnon and Officer Richard Lucey responded to a home on Highland Avenue where the text was sent from. The officers located the man inside of his bedroom closet having hanged himself with a shirt.

The officers quickly pulled the man out of the closet and began to render aid to him while calling for an ambulance. The man was taken by ambulance to a local hospital where he survived his injuries.

Law Day is an annual celebration throughout courthouses in Massachusetts which recognizes the role and importance of law in the state and society.

The awards ceremony was held at Quincy District Court with several local politicians and members of law enforcement in attendance. Sen. Edward Markey was the keynote speaker.

The Dana Award is named for Metropolitan Police Officer Robert Dana, who was shot and killed by a suspect during a traffic stop in Milton in 1984. Other police departments that received the Dana Award this year were the Holbrook Police, Cohasset Police and Weymouth Police.

“I want to commend our officers for their efforts in being able utilize a technology that was new to the department and used it to effectively saved this man’s life,” Chief Pace said. “The Dana Award is an incredibly high honor and I am glad our officers were recognized for their lifesaving actions that day.”

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