BEDFORD, N.H. — Chief John J. Bryfonski is pleased to announce 11 members of the Bedford Police Department recently received commendations for their work in 2020.
The awards, which are normally given out at the department’s annual holiday party, were given to members at the end of January individually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are proud to recognize these members of the Bedford Police Department for the incredible and heroic actions they performed this year,” Chief Bryfonski said. “They showed great professionalism and dedication to the health and safety of our residents, and have proven to be valuable assets to both the department and the community.”
Commendation for Distinguished Unit Action
This distinction was given to Officer Steven Kennedy, School Resource Officer Eli Krause, Field Training Officer Joshua Gray, Officer Jeffery Drew, Sgt. Scott Norris, Sgt. Stefan Swaidas, Officer Timothy Hayden and Field Training Officer Benjamin Kitchen for their actions on March 23, 2020.
On that day, Officer Kennedy was dispatched to investigate a report of a felony second degree domestic assault involving a razor blade. Officer Drew and FTO Gray set up a perimeter to secure the apartment of the suspect after it was determined that he was still at home. Sgt. Norris and Sgt. Swaidas set up the incident command. A tactical team, composed of Sgt. Norris (who served as tactical commander), SRO Krause and Officer Kennedy, attempted to make contact with the suspect. After the suspect refused to come out, Officer Hayden and FTO Kitchen used a battering ram in order to enter the apartment. The suspect was then quickly locatedand taken into custody without incident.
Commendation for Meritorious Service
This distinction was given to Officer Adrien Dupuis for his work on Oct. 15, 2020, which resulted in a drug and firearms arrest.
On that day, Officer Dupuis learned of an individual who was reportedly selling drugs out of a s on South River Road. He immediately launched an investigation, and ultimately took the suspect into custody on drug and firearm charges. The suspect also had an active warrant for absconding from probation/parole. The proactive police work and interview skills demonstrated by Officer Dupuis resulted in a large quantity of drugs and money being out of the community, and the arrest of a wanted felon.
Commendation for Meritorious Service
This award was given to Field Training Officer Michael Cherwin, who apprehended a wanted suspect on Aug. 3, 2020.
Bedford Police were called to the Dunkin Donuts on South River Road that night for a reported sighting of an individual wanted by Manchester Police on several felony charges in connection to an incident that occurred earlier in the day. The suspect fled into the woods across the street prior to police arrival. FTO Cherwin was posted at the New Morning School on Back River Road and was able to take the suspect into custody without incident after he emerged from the woods by the school.
Commendation for Lifesaving
Officer Michael Proulx received this award after saving the life of a 50-year-old man who collapsed and was unresponsive in the Hannaford supermarket on June 8, 2020. Officer Proulx quickly began to perform CPR after arriving at the scene and used his AED to deliver multiple shocks to the unconscious man, who was later determined to be in cardiac arrest.
After Bedford Fire and Rescue arrived on scene to take over the life saving measures, Officer Proulx was then able to contact the family members of the subject and pass on valuable medical information about the man to the members of the Bedford Fire Department.
Bedford Fire Lt. Aaron Lambert and Firefighter David Sherwood advised the male subject had survived in large part to Officer Proulx’s actions of administering CPR and early defibrillation, which restored the heart rhythm of the patient and played a key role in saving his life.
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