For Immediate Release

Friday, May 20, 2016

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 978-971-8101
Email: john@jgpr.net

Two Essex County Sheriff’s Officers Honored at Correctional Officer of the Year Awards

BOSTON — Essex County Sheriff Frank G. Cousins Jr. is pleased to announce that two Essex County Sheriff’s Department Sergeants were honored at the Massachusetts State House today during the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s (EOPSS) annual Correctional Employee of the Year Awards Ceremony.

Sgt. Jonathan Credit received the Medal of Honor and Sgt. Dennis Laubner was presented with a Letter of Commendation for their outstanding acts of bravery and heroism in the line of duty.

On Saturday, Feb. 21, Sgt. Credit was working a Massachusetts State Police detail in Gloucester when he spotted a shooting suspect driving on the road. Sgt. Credit pursued the suspect while radioing to Gloucester Police, who responded with K-9 and support units. In the meantime, Sgt. Credit stopped the suspect’s vehicle and ordered him to surrender. Sgt. Credit received the Medal of Honor for his quick action and professionalism in the face of danger.

The Medal of Honor serves as the highest award, given to an officer who “demonstrated actions above and beyond the call of duty, in the face of certain and imminent danger to life and limb.”

Sgt. Laubner was presented with a Letter of Commendation for jumping into action during a heroin overdose. On Monday, May 18, Sgt. Laubner was working with his inmate work crew on the shoulder of Rt. 495 when the group passed a woman whose boyfriend had overdosed on heroin and was currently unconscious in her passenger seat. Sgt. Laubner instructed his crew to pull the man out of the car, where he then performed CPR on the side of the road, reviving him.

This experience affected Sgt. Laubner in a personal way, as he lost his son to a heroin overdose last June.

“We are exceptionally proud of both sergeants for their incredible acts of heroism,” said Sheriff Cousins. “They will serve as example not only in Essex County, but also for correctional employees throughout the Commonwealth.”

Today’s ceremony recognized correctional employees from seven counties throughout the Commonwealth: Barnstable, Middlesex, Bristol, Norfolk, Plymouth, Essex and Suffolk. Officers from the Department of Correction were also honored.

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