Mansfield Police and Fire Personnel Provide for Child in Need

At Wednesday evening’s Mansfield Select Board meeting, 18 first responders — police personnel and firefighters — received commendations for displaying above-and-beyond on-the-job compassion. (Photo Courtesy Mansfield Police Department)

MANSFIELD — A recent well-being check evolved into an opportunity for compassion for Mansfield first responders. On Wednesday evening, at the Mansfield Select Board meeting, 18 police personnel and firefighters received commendations for showing a lot of heart while going above and beyond to protect an incredibly vulnerable resident.

On Friday, March 6, at approximately 10:29 a.m., Officer William Galarneau and Sgt. Derek McCune were dispatched to Mansfield Gas at 54 Chauncy St. for a well-being check involving a young woman exhibiting unusual behavior.

Officer Galarneau arrived first and quickly recognized that the woman was experiencing an altered mental state and needed immediate care.

During an initial conversation, Officer Galarneau also found a toddler in the woman’s vehicle. While Sgt. McCune assessed the condition of the child, Officer Galarneau continued conversing with the woman and keeping her attention focused on him. His calm, controlled demeanor and strong situational awareness helped keep her as relaxed as possible, allowing Sgt. McCune to safely assess the child and manage the scene.

Sgt. McCune and Officer Galarneau quickly recognized that the mother was in no condition to care for her child, and sub-freezing temperatures further raised concern for the toddler’s welfare.

“Some incidents require our officers to think beyond their police training,” said Police Chief Ronald Sellon. “There are times when we have to put our humanity first and rely on empathy and compassion for our fellow human beings.”

Sgt. McCune requested the department’s mental health clinician and Mansfield Fire Department paramedics to respond to the scene. After the Department’s Problem-Oriented Policing (POP) Unit Clinician Katelyn Leary arrived, she was able to further lend clarity to what was happening. Lt. Ryan Brousseau and Firefighter James Santucci from the Mansfield Fire Department were the first fire personnel to arrive on scene, and after being briefed, began assisting Sgt. McCune.

While examining the interior of the motor vehicle, officers noted that both the mother and child had likely been living out of the vehicle. The child was extremely dirty, and there was a strong odor of feces and filth. Sgt. McCune determined that the child should not be transported with the mother and that the Department of Children and Families (DCF) needed to be contacted for an emergency response.

Firefighters Evan Benson and Matt Shannon, and medical student Paden Palanza arrived shortly after. Through effective communication and strong cooperation between the Mansfield Police Department and the Mansfield Fire Department, the woman was safely escorted to the ambulance and transported to the hospital for evaluation. The toddler was transported back to the Mansfield Police Station while Clinician Leary rode along, continuing to comfort her.

Officer Catherine Jordan was at the station awaiting their arrival. Clinician Leary and Officer Jordan worked together to locate clean clothing that would fit her. School Resource Officer (SRO) Andrew Kelley retrieved more clothing for the baby while Lt. Thomas Connor went to Walgreens to get diapers and wipes.

POP Officer Michael Fenore contacted state agencies requesting an emergency response. While they waited for state agencies to provide direction, they removed the child’s dirty clothing and cleaned, changed and dressed her in clean clothing.

Officer Jordan continued to comfort the child, walking her around the station before they settled in the roll call room and the exhausted toddler eventually fell asleep in her arms for well over an hour.

The decision was made to transport the child to Sturdy Memorial Hospital for further evaluation. Officer David Kinahan located a clean car seat from our department’s car seat program so the child could be transported safely rather than using the dirty seat from the vehicle.

Sgt. Brian Thibault, and Firefighters Grace Detterman and Brandon DeLuca assisted with the transport and demonstrated tremendous compassion while caring for her during the trip. Firefighters Chris Pyrcz and Edgar Vigil also assisted with caring for the child prior to transport.

During the approximately two hours spent at the hospital, Sgt. Thibault, firefighters, and staff took turns entertaining and spending time with the child, who was understandably tired and overwhelmed. The child eventually settled down once again with Clinician Leary and fell asleep.

“This incident stands as a clear example of the professionalism, compassion and teamwork that define our organizations and the commitment we share to serving the Mansfield community,” said Chief Sellon. “Our job as police officers is not merely law enforcement, but to ‘protect the vulnerable from harm.’ This case illustrates the importance of exceptional teamwork, professionalism and compassion, all displayed by members of the Police Department and our partners in the Mansfield Fire Department.”

Not every successful police interaction ends with an arrest. The profession’s not all about catching the bad guys.

“By most metrics of success in our profession this case won’t show up on a balance sheet or IBR (Incident-Based Reporting) report,” said Chief Sellon. “However, empathy, care and extra effort define the most valuable and vital work we do as police officers. The actions taken by everyone involved during this call are worthy of recognition and reflect the highest standards of public service. The level of communication, coordination and care demonstrated throughout this incident exemplifies the professionalism and dedication that the Mansfield Police Department and Mansfield Fire Department bring to the community each day.”

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Mansfield Police and Fire personnel were recognized at the Mansfield Select Board meeting Wednesday evening, for showing a lot of heart while going above and beyond to protect an incredibly vulnerable resident. (Photo Courtesy Mansfield Police Department)

Mansfield Police Officer Catherine Jordan comforts the child in the Department’s roll call room. (Photo Courtesy Mansfield Police Department)