Chief James M. Spinney
2 Olde North Road
Chelmsford, MA 01824
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
Chelmsford Police Officers Receive Life Saving and Outstanding Performance Awards
CHELMSFORD — Chief James Spinney is pleased to announce that five members of the Chelmsford Police Department received Meritorious Service Awards last week for going above and beyond the call of duty.
The officers were honored during the department’s annual awards breakfast on April 12 at Princeton Station, which was sponsored by the Chelmsford Police Foundation.
Sgt. Steve Fredericks, Officer Robert Brown and Officer Kristin Leary received Outstanding Performance of Duty awards and Officer Ashley Gallant and Officer Nick Ziminsky earned Life Saving awards.
SGT. FREDERICKS, OFFICER BROWN AND OFFICER LEARY
Sgt. Fredericks joined the Chelmsford Police department in 1998 and was promoted to his current rank in 2012. Officer Brown came on in 2012 and is a certified motorcycle officer and a member of the department’s honor guard. Officer Leary joined the Chelmsford Police Department in 2015 as a transfer from the Holyoke Police Department. She has more than 10 years of experience in law enforcement.
On July 18, 2016, Sgt. Fredericks was working a security detail at Varney Park while Officers Brown and Leary patrolled the area. Around 8:45 p.m., Chelmsford Police received a report that Tyngsborough Police were involved in a motor vehicle pursuit on Route 3 south.
When the pursuit continued into Chelmsford, Sgt. Fredericks and Officers Brown and Leary responded to aid Tyngsborough Police. The suspect vehicle eventually stopped in the parking lot of Sully’s Ice Cream Stand on Graniteville Road.
During the incident, Sgt. Fredericks and the suspect were injured. Despite his injuries, Sgt. Fredericks requested medical assistance for the suspect while Officer Brown and Officer Leary rendered aid until emergency medical services personnel arrived on scene.
“This was an extremely difficult situation that demonstrated that anything can happen at any time,” Chief Spinney said. “It was my honor to recognize these three officers for their outstanding performance in a high stress situation and for keeping focused, protecting the innocent and providing care for the injured.”
OFFICER GALLANT
On July 24, 2016, Officer Gallant, who joined the Chelmsford Police Department in 2013, responded to a residence on a report of an unresponsive 48-year-old man.
Upon arrival, she located the man sitting on the couch unresponsive. Officer Gallant moved the victim to the floor and began using an automated external defibrillator and oxygen to revive the victim.
After the fire department arrived, Officer Gallant continued with compressions and using the AED until the victim’s pulse returned. The man was transported to the hospital and is doing well today.
OFFICER ZIMINSKY
Officer Ziminsky was hired as a patrol officer in 2006 and is currently a certified motorcycle officer, a member of the department’s honor guard and serves on the NEMLEC SWAT unit.
On August 12, 2016, he responded to a residence in town for a medical emergency involving an unresponsive 76-year-old man.
Upon arrival, Officer Ziminsky located the victim, who did not have a pulse. After completing 30 compressions, he began using an AED on the victim. Officer Ziminsky continued to treat the man until paramedics arrived and stabilized the man, who is doing well today.
“Officers Gallant and Ziminsky should be commended for using their training and skills to help save residents’ lives,” Chief Spinney said. “Had it not been for their rapid response, focus and high quality of medical services, the outcomes of these situations could have ended a lot differently.”
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