DRACUT — Two officers and a detective who helped thwart a plot to steal thousands of dollars from a Dracut senior citizen were among Dracut Police officers honored Monday as the department recognized excellent work and swore in six new officers.
On Monday, Oct. 18, at Harvey J. Gagnon Harmony Hall, the Dracut Police Department recognized several officers for outstanding work and swore in six new officers who graduated from the Lowell Police Academy.
Chief Peter Bartlett and Deputy Chief David Chartrand presented the awards and made a surprise presentation to Officer Andrew Curtis.
Officer Andrew Gys, Detective Jake Malandrino and Officer Tony Ngeth earned a Chief’s Achievement Award for intervening when someone attempted to scam a 72-year-old Dracut woman out of $9,200.
Gys, Malandrino and Ngeth worked together to intercept the delivery of a package containing the money and arrest a man who was set to receive that package. The Dracut resident lost none of her money, and a defendant now faces charges.
Detective John Quinn also earned a Chief’s Achievement Award by investigating and making an arrest in a horrific case of animal abuse that led to the death of a small dog. Detective Quinn consulted with leading experts in the field of animal abuse to build evidence in a case that led to the indictment of a defendant who is now serving prison time.
Officer Andreas Papafagos earned a Meritorious Conduct Award for revitalizing the Dracut Police Department’s social media pages and founding the department’s Community Engagement Unit. Officer Papafagos’ efforts have been instrumental in fostering positive relationships and trust within the community, both key goals of community policing.
“These officers have gone above and beyond — not for recognition, but because they take pride in doing the job the right way, every day,” said Chief Bartlett. “Their attention to detail, their reliability, and their willingness to step up whenever needed embody the spirit of teamwork and dedication that keeps this department strong.”
The department surprised Officer Andrew Curtis by retiring his badge #112, and replacing it with Badge #11, the same badge that his father, Officer Harry Curtis, wore for 30 years. Officer Harry Curtis served the Dracut Police Department from 1980 to 2010 and was well known for his service to community. He passed away in 2023 at age 71.
Andres “Butch” Deschenes, who spent a decade maintaining the Dracut Police Department’s police station and vehicle fleet, was presented with an Award of Appreciation for his years of service.
In addition to the awards presentations, Town Clerk Jayne Boissonneault swore in six new Dracut Police officers who just graduated from the Lowell Police Academy:
- Officer Derek Neang was raised in Lowell, and is a graduate of Greater Lowell Technical High School. He is a U.S. Army veteran who holds an Associate’s Degree in Management from the University of Maryland.
- Officer Ian Maguire was raised in Burlington and graduated from Shawsheen Valley Technical High School. He is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Justice Studies from Southern New Hampshire University.
- Officer Nathan Ell was raised in Tewksbury and graduated from Tewksbury Memorial High School. He is a Military Police Officer in the Massachusetts Army National Guard. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Westfield State University.
- Officer Erik Bibbo was raised in Westford and graduated from Westford Academy. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation Sciences from Bridgewater State University.
- Officer Mark Rubino was raised in North Reading and graduated from Austin Preparatory School.
- Officer Cole Julius was raised in North Andover and graduated from North Andover High School. He holds an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Northern Essex Community College.
“As you begin your careers in law enforcement, remember this: being a police officer is more than enforcing laws. It’s about building bridges. It’s about treating people with dignity, listening when others don’t, and standing up for those who cannot stand for themselves,” Chief Bartlett told the new officers. “The Dracut community looks to you not just as protectors, but as partners.
The new officers will begin a 10-week Field Training Program under the supervision of a more experienced officer.
Discover more from John Guilfoil Public Relations
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.