For Immediate Release

Thursday, April 19, 2018

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

Chelmsford Police Department Hosts Annual Awards Ceremony

CHELMSFORD — Chief James Spinney is pleased to announce that the Chelmsford Police Department hosted its annual awards ceremony last week.

At the April 11 ceremony, which was sponsored by the Chelmsford Police Foundation, the department recognized officers for their extraordinary work protecting residents and property.

Officer Aidan Gillis was recognized with the Meritorious Service Award of Recognition for outstanding performance of duty following his quick actions on March 26, when he observed smoke coming from a residence while on patrol at 3:15 a.m. As he passed the home, he noticed smoke and determined that a planter box had caught fire.

Officer Gillis extinguished the flames — preventing potentially catastrophic damage to the home — and alerted the residents, who safely exited the house and waited for firefighters to arrive.

Officers Kristin Leary, Brian Gervais, Christopher Mauti and Craig Mead received the department’s Meritorious Award of Valor for their actions while responding to a call last July. After being dispatched to a reported domestic violence incident, officers encountered an extremely violent suspect who struck an officer, threatened them and threw various dangerous items in their direction.

The responding officers were able to successfully subdue the suspect without further incident and take him into custody.

“Each of these officers went above and beyond the call of duty and acted selflessly in the face of dangerous circumstances,” Chief Spinney said. “I’m proud of each one of them, and am happy to recognize them all for their commitment to the community of Chelmsford.”

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