BELMONT — The Irish American Police Officers Association (IAPOA) is pleased to announce that a Quincy Police Department sergeant was honored with the IAPOA Lifesaving Award for helping to rescue a woman.
On Oct. 28, IAPOA President Bob Sweetland attended a ceremony to present Quincy Police Sgt. Patrick Faherty with the IAPOA Lifesaving Award.
On Nov. 15, 2019, Massachusetts State Police and Quincy Police received a report that a woman had entered the frigid waters off Wollaston Beach in Quincy, then became distressed as she was swept away by currents.
Upon arrival, Massachusetts State Trooper Michael Bucca and Sgt. Faherty spotted the woman about 100 yards from shore and entered the water in an effort to rescue her.
Trooper Bucca reached the woman first using a borrowed kayak. Trooper Bucca pulled the woman onto the State Police Marine 15 boat, where Trooper Matthew Braga helped Trooper Bucca perform CPR. The boat, piloted by Trooper Vernon Hubbard, rushed the woman to shore and an awaiting ambulance. The woman survived the incident.
For his quick response and heroic efforts to save a drowning woman at risk to his own life, Sgt. Faherty was awarded the IAPOA Lifesaving Award. Troopers Bucca, Braga, and Hubbard were recognized at an earlier ceremony at Massachusetts State Police Headquarters.
The IAPOA usually holds an annual awards dinner for all honorees, but has been unable to do so for the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year the IAPOA is recognizing honorees by traveling to meet them and present the awards individually. The IAPOA is hopeful they will be able to host an in-person dinner and awards ceremony again next year.
Individuals and organizations can be nominated for awards in six categories:
- Valor
- Lifesaving
- Investigations
- Meritorious Service
- Community Service
- Humanitarian Acts
The IAPOA also recognizes the sacrifice made in line-of-duty deaths with a Medal of Honor presented posthumously to the families of fallen officers.
The IAPOA is a designated 501(c)(3) charitable organization. For further information or to become a member, please visit www.irishamericanpolice.org.
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