Philip E. Droney, Chief
99 School St.
Needham, MA 02492
For Immediate Release
Monday, June 15, 2015
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
Five officers from the Needham Police Department received First Responder Recognition Awards from the Municipal Police Training Committee. Pictured left to right, Needham Town Manager Kate Fitzpatrick, Officer Vincent Turco, Officer Anthony Frongillo , Officer Roger Noll, Officer Matthew Palmer and Chief of Police Philip Droney. Not Pictured is Officer Leo Schlittler.
Needham Police Officers Receive First Responder Recognition Awards
NEEDHAM — Police Chief Philip E. Droney is pleased to announce that five officers from the Needham Police Department received awards last week for going above and beyond their duties in rendering medical assistance to a person in need.
The Municipal Police Training Committee recognized Officer Roger Noll, Officer Vincent Turco, Officer Matthew Palmer, Officer Leo Schlittler and Officer Frongillo during a ceremony on June 11 at Bentley University. In total, 59 officers from 24 departments were honored.
This acknowledgment exemplifies that the officers were able to demonstrate their CPR/first responder training was beneficial in saving a life.
“I commend these five officers whose immediate, professional, and effective actions helped save lives in our community,” Chief Droney said. “Their efforts and actions represent the finest standards of policing, and I am honored to serve alongside each of them.”
OFFICER NOLL
On Christmas Day last year, at approximately 4 p.m., Officer Noll responded to a Needham residence for a medical emergency involving a woman choking on food.
Officer Noll performed the Heimlich maneuver and was able to dislodge the obstruction and restore her breathing. The woman was transported by ambulance to the hospital where she was evaluated and then released.
OFFICERS PALMER AND TURCO
On January 4, at 12:40 p.m, Officers Palmer and Turco saved the life of a distraught man after they were called to his home.
Without regard for their own safety, Officers Turco and Palmer immediately went to the aid of the confrontational resident. Both officers’ ability to act under extreme duress resulted in a life being saved.
OFFICERS FRONGILLO AND SCHLITTLER
On October 18, 2014, Officers Frongillo and Schlittler were dispatched to the Needham Center Post Office on a report of a vehicle that had struck the building. Officer Schlittler was the first on scene and found an unresponsive 73-year-old man behind the wheel.
Officer Frongillo arrived and began administering CPR while Officer Schlittler set up his automated external defibrillator. Together they rendered aid until the Fire Department arrived and transported him to the hospital. A few days later, on October 22, the Police Department was notified that the patient was out of intensive care and recovering.
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