For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019

Media Contact: Jordan Mayblum
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: jordan@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 recently recognized its members at its annual awards ceremony.

Bedford Police held their annual meeting and awards presentation on Thursday, Dec. 12, honoring several members of the department for outstanding work throughout the course of 2019.

Communication Specialists Joanna Umenhofer, Nathan Byron, Raymond Menier and Virginia Martin, as well as Administrative Support Specialist Kellie Serrechia, Records Clerk Monique Pliakos and Lt. Michael Bernard each received a letter of recognition from Chief Bryfonski for outstanding work and going above and beyond their required responsibilities.

Martin was also presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award commemorating her 34 years of dedicated service to the department, which will come to an end with her retirement on Dec. 31.

Officer Norman Frink earned a Letter of Recognition of his own for his work on a motor vehicle stop that netted the arrest of a suspect on multiple charges, including possession of drugs with intent to distribute and driving under the influence.

Officers Joshua Gray, Scott Norris, Joseph Wilhelmy, Joseph Palmariello, Whitney Mansfield and James McMillen each received the Chief’s Letter of Recognition for their investigative efforts, which resulted in arresting multiple suspects responsible for a series of motor vehicle break-ins.

In addition, Officer Gray and Officer Zachary Mazzarella each received Letters of Recognition for their outstanding work investigating several cases of fraud.

Officers Gray and McMillen also earned a Unit Citation for their investigative work when an elderly couple went missing earlier this year, resulting in the pair being safely located.

In 2013, Officer Michael Cherwin participated in a bone marrow drive hosted by the department, and in May 2019 he was matched with a Leukemia patient to whom he donated bone marrow. For his selfless efforts, he was recognized with a Life Saving Award.

Officer Nicholas Fiorentino and Officer Shannon Gardner each received a Commendation Bar for Life Saving for their quick actions that resulted in saving a resident’s life while responding to an incident in November.

Officers Frink and Gardner, as well as Officers Thomas Maggiano, Nathan Slack and Tony Ssonko, along with Sgt. Patrick Gilligan, were honored with a Commendation Bar for Distinguished Unit Action for their superior proactive police work, which resulted in locating a suspect responsible for several commercial burglaries.

“Each one of these officers went above and beyond the call of duty in different ways in support of the community they’re sworn to serve,” Chief Bryfonski said. “I’m extremely proud of them all, and grateful for their commitment to doing the extraordinary police work that makes our community stronger and more safe.”

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