Arlington Police Department Recognizes Exemplary Officers and Community Members

For Immediate Release
Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Contact: Captain Richard Flynn, PIO
Office: 781-316-3907
Cell: 781-844-1224
Email: rflynn@town.arlington.ma.us

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

Arlington Police Department Recognizes Exemplary Officers and Community Members During Annual Awards Ceremony

ARLINGTON — Police Chief Frederick Ryan reports that the Arlington Police Department held its annual awards ceremony on Feb. 26 to recognize police officers who went above and beyond the call of duty last year.

“The past year was a standout year for the men and women of the Arlington Police Department,” Chief Ryan said. “I am proud of the level of service and commitment to public safety shown by our officers each and every day, and I am pleased to take a few moments to recognize them for their hard work and efforts.”

During the ceremony Chief Ryan presented awards for police service, recognition for retirement and for the Boston Marathon/Watertown response in 2013.

Officer John Kelley was honored with the award for the 2014 Officer of the Year.

“Officer Kelley’s consistency and quality of work is exceptional. He believes that responsibilities such as well-written reports, proper tactics on the street, and displaying professionalism at all times make a difference,” Chief Ryan said during the ceremony. “His peers look up to him and have no problem asking for his advice. He performs his duties in an exemplary manner and always maintains a positive attitude.”

Officer Michael Foley received the Department Medal of Honor for his actions on Jan. 17, 2014, during an armed bank robbery.

The Department also gave out six Meritorious Service Ribbons, one to Officer Brett Blanciforti and and Officer Scott Paradis, for their efforts in capturing a violent rape suspect, and one to Officer Robert Smith, for saving the life of a choking victim at a restaurant on Oct. 23.

Three additional ribbons were given out for the lifesaving actions taken when the father of a police officer suffered a heart attack at a restaurant in Norwood on Christmas Day.

Officer Anargyros Siempos, was with his family at the restaurant when his father collapsed and stopped breathing. He immediately recognized these symptoms as signs of cardiac arrest. While advising a family member to call 911, he began providing CPR to his father. Within minutes, Norwood PD Officer Derek Wennerstrand arrived to assist. Officer Wennerstrand prepared to administer treatment via an Automated External Defibrillator. Norwood Police Sergeant Christopher Flanagan relieved officer Siempos and continued CPR. Officer Siempos’ father was taken to Norwood hospital and has made a full recovery.

The Department also honored Officer David Martin with its Top Gun Certificate, as the department’s best marksman last year.

Lieutenant Richard Pedrini was given a Department Excellence in Leadership for his exemplary leadership over the past year.

The Department issued Letters of Commendation to Inspectors James Smith, Gregory Foley, and Brian Fennelly and Dispatchers Philip Fumicello and Courtney Giannetti.

Inspector Smith’s work with a joint task force that investigates cases of missing and exploited children has led to the closure of multiple cases this year of girls lured or kidnapped into the sex trade.

Three awards were also presented to civilians whose service to the community has enhanced the Arlington Police Department. Eric Ammondson and Joseph Canniff of Arlington and Antoine Jammal of Burlington all received awards for their exemplary actions within the community.

During this event, there was a promotional swearing in ceremony for Lieutenant Richard Pedrini, Sergeant Robert Pedrini, and Sergeant Stephen Krepelka.

The Department also recognized Lieutenant James White, who is retiring in April after 32 years of meritorious service.

“The Arlington Police Department prides themselves on being ‘proactive and proud,’ which is highly visible through the performance of these officers and civilians in the community,” said Arlington Police Captain Richard Flynn, the Department’s Public Information Officer. “I am extremely proud to work alongside each of them.”

Chief Ryan believes that as essential as it is for a police department to have an internal disciplinary and accountability processes, it is equally important to have a positive program of recognition for outstanding duty performance.  Officers who display action and performance above that which is normally expected of a police officer in the routine performance of his/her duties are to be commended for their accomplishments.

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