John J. Bryfonski, Chief of Police
55 Constitution Drive
Bedford, NH 03110
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2018
Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
Bedford Police Department Honors Officers at Annual Awards Ceremony
BEDFORD — Chief John J. Bryfonski is pleased to announce that the Bedford Police Department presented its annual awards, and welcomed its newest officer at a ceremony yesterday.
The department’s communication staff was recognized yesterday for its commitment to providing service to the community.
The dedicated staff in the Communications Center continued to provide high quality and professional communications services to Bedford’s first responders.
Officer Patrick Gilligan was recognized for potentially saving the life of a resident who overdosed in June by administering Narcan.
Officer Tony Ssonko was also presented with a Lifesaving Award for the assistance he rendered to two individuals on back to back days earlier this month.
On Dec. 1, Officer Ssonko responded to a report of an unconscious man on Rollingswood Road, where he performed CPR for several minutes in order to resuscitate the man. The following day, he responded to a report of a person who had stated their intention to jump from the Plummer Road overpass. Officer Ssonko talked to the woman until she agreed to come down from the bridge.
Several members of the department also received letters of recognition from the Chief, including Records Clerk Monique Pliakos, Sgts. Jessica Humphrey and Devon Kimball and Officers Matthew Proulx, Timothy Carter and Patrick Gilligan.
In addition to the recognition for existing members of the department, Bedford Police welcomed their newest officer, Whitney Mansfield, who was sworn in yesterday and will be attending the 178th New Hampshire Police Academy in January. She previously worked as a reserve officer in Lunenberg, Massachusetts.
“I’m proud of all of the work our officers and staff members did this year, which helped save lives and keep our entire community safe,” Chief Bryfonski said. “I’m also happy to welcome Officer Mansfield to the department, and I’m confident that she will make great contributions following her graduation from the academy.”
###