Groveland Police Department
Jeffrey Gillen, Chief
Public Safety Building
181 Main St
Groveland, MA 01834

For Immediate Release

Friday, Jan. 12, 2018

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Groveland Police Officers Honored During Commendation Ceremony

GROVELAND — Chief Jeffrey Gillen is pleased to announce that two Groveland Police Officers were honored during a commendation ceremony for saving a woman’s life last month.

Left to right: Officer Daniel Richmond, Chief Jeffrey Gillen and Detective Steven Petrone. Officer Richmond and Detective Petrone were honored at an awards ceremony for saving a woman’s life. (Photo Courtesy of Tracy Gilford)

During the Groveland Board of Selectmen’s meeting on Monday, Jan. 8, Detective Steven Petrone and Officer Daniel Richmond each received citations from the Board of Selectmen and from State Representative Lenny Mirra, and a Letter of Commendation and Distinguished Service Ribbon from Chief Gillen. Later this month, Detective Petrone and Officer Richmond will also receive an additional citation from State Senator Bruce Tarr at the State House.

On Dec. 16, Detective Petrone and Officer Richmond were dispatched to Johnsons Pond for a reported motor vehicle that had crashed into the water. Upon arrival, the officers observed a vehicle in the pond, approximately 30 feet from shore, with a woman sitting in the driver’s seat. The vehicle was quickly becoming submerged and the operator was not responding to the officers.

Without hesitation, Detective Petrone and Officer Richmond ventured onto the thin ice. With temperatures just above 30 degrees and the water near freezing, Detective Petrone jumped into the frigid water while Officer Richmond maintained support on the ice.

Detective Petrone was able to get the woman out of the vehicle through the driver’s side window and Officer Richmond pulled her safely onto the ice. Both officers then brought the victim to shore, where they placed her into a cruiser to keep warm while awaiting further aid.

“The quick and heroic actions of these two officers prevented a possible tragic outcome and I could not be more proud of them,” Chief Gillen said. “I am honored to present them with these distinguished awards and know they will continue to go above and beyond the call of duty.”

The Distinguished Service Ribbon is awarded to any active member of the police department who performs an individual act of heroism, not amounting to that required for the Medal of Valor, or individual acts of extreme high levels of service that extend over a period of time.

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Groveland Police Officers Honored During Commendation Ceremony

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