LOWELL — Superintendent Greg Hudon is proud to report that the Lowell Police Department recognized the extraordinary work of officers, dispatchers and residents during the department’s annual recognition ceremony on Monday.
The ceremony in the Lowell Memorial Auditorium’s Hall of Flags saw nearly 70 of the department’s 229 sworn officers recognized, as well as several dispatchers and two civilians. Capt. David Peaslee read the commendations and citations for 19 separate cases and incidents that unfolded over the past year and a half.
“This is a great opportunity for the organization to come together and recognize the outstanding police work that we’ve seen over the past year and a half,” said Superintendent Hudon. “There was a lot of great police work that the citizens of Lowell can be proud of, and we intend to continue serving our community with the same level of dedication, compassion and professionalism that was shown in these incidents and actions.”
Life-Saving Award — Sgt. David Kew
In the early morning hours of Feb. 7, 2024, officers responded to a call about a man threatening to jump from the Chelmsford Street railroad overpass. After over an hour of negotiation failed to resolve the situation, Sgt. Kew took decisive action to secure the man and prevent a potentially fatal fall. He safely removed the individual from the ledge and ensured he received the necessary psychiatric care.
Citation — Officer Anne Szablak
Officer Szablak responded to a call about a fight at a Princeton Boulevard address, where she discovered that a male suspect violently kicked in his girlfriend’s door and assaulted her before fleeing. While gathering information, she recognized that the suspect matched the description of an individual involved in a recent robbery at a local food mart, where the clerk had been assaulted at knifepoint. Her investigative instincts linked the suspect to both incidents, leading to his arrest shortly thereafter.
Commendation — Officers Derik Bettencourt and David Poitras
In February 2024, Officers Derik Bettencourt and David Poitras conducted a motor vehicle stop on Central Street due to multiple civil violations. During the stop, Officer Poitras noticed suspicious movements from a rear passenger trying to conceal something. Using his flashlight, he discovered a firearm partially hidden beneath the front seat. Acting quickly, the officers safely removed all occupants from the vehicle and recovered a Palmetto State Armory 9mm firearm with a 50-round magazine. The rear passenger was arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Life-Saving Award — Officer Christine Larocque
Officer Larocque responded to a 911 call about a 4-year-old child choking on food. Upon arrival, she was met by the child’s father, who urgently indicated that the child was not breathing. Acting swiftly and decisively, Officer Larocque utilized her training to administer back blows and chest thrusts, successfully dislodging the obstruction and restoring the child’s ability to breathe.
Citation — Officers Richy Chum and Brady Finn
On the night of Sept. 5, 2023, Officers Chum and Finn responded to a structure fire on Nottingham Street and arrived to find the front porch engulfed in flames. Despite the uncertain conditions and the risk to their own safety, they selflessly entered the residence to search for any occupants. They confirmed the second floor was clear and then discovered a man still inside on the first floor. The officers swiftly escorted him to safety, ensuring no one was left behind.
Citation — Dispatcher Christopher Lemay, Officers Soben Buth and David Lavoie
On Dec. 23, 2023, Dispatcher Christopher Lemay received a 911 call with an open line and faint sounds of distress from a female caller. Although the phone pinged near 308 Rogers St., there were no specific address details. Officers Soben Buth and David Lavoie responded, knocking on doors to locate the caller. When Officer Lavoie received no response as a second-floor apartment, Dispatcher Lemay astutely matched the barking heard on the 911 call with dogs audible over Lavoie’s radio, leading them to the correct location. With assistance from the Lowell Fire Department, they entered the apartment and found an unconscious woman, who received immediate, life-saving care.
Life-Saving Award — Officers Raul Alvarez, Jake Merrill, and Emily Ratte
In October 2024, Lowell Dispatch received an urgent 911 call from a mother fearing her 8-month-old baby was drowning. Officers Raul Alvarez, Jake Merrill and Emily Ratte, along with Lowell Fire personnel, quickly responded to find the mother outside her locked home in distress. Acting decisively, Officers Alvarez and Merrill forced entry, discovering the unconscious baby inside. Officer Ratte, an experienced EMT, immediately took charge, administering CPR for nearly two and a half minutes. Their coordinated efforts, including calming the mother and monitoring the baby, led to the infant regaining a pulse. After 18 critical minutes of care, the baby was transported to a hospital and later flown by medical helicopter to a Boston hospital in critical but stable condition.
Life-Saving Award — Dispatcher Lori Neville
Dispatcher Lori Neville received a 911 call from a mother whose 9-month-old infant was choking and unable to breathe. Demonstrating exceptional training and composure, Dispatcher Neville quickly assessed the situation and gathered critical information to dispatch emergency medical services while remaining calm under pressure. She provided life-saving instructions on performing back blows, guiding the mother through multiple attempts until the obstruction was cleared and the baby began to cry. Dispatcher Neville maintained her professionalism, monitoring the infant’s condition until EMS arrived.
Life-Saving Award — Officers Brandon Calavritinos and Adam DeAngelis
Officers Brandon Calavritinos and Adam DeAngelis responded to a call on Merrimack Street involving a woman in a mental health crisis. Upon arrival, the situation escalated as the woman attempted to jump from a fourth-floor balcony. Demonstrating remarkable courage, Officer Calavritinos reached her just in time, pulling her back to safety. Together with Officer DeAngelis, they secured the woman, preventing a tragic outcome.
Citation — Sgt. Francisco Maldonado, Officers Brady Finn, Shane Goyette, Stephen Hunter, Robert Joyce, David Lavoie, Paul Paradise, Tong Phay and Ronald Reid
The Lowell Police Department responded to a high-priority domestic violence call in March 2024 involving a firearm at an apartment on Bowden Street. The caller reported that a woman’s boyfriend had assaulted her and threatened her life with a gun. Under Sgt. Francisco Maldonado’s command, Officers Brady Finn, Shane Goyette, Stephen Hunter, Robert Joyce, David Lavoie, Paul Paradise, Tong Phay and Ronald Reid executed a coordinated response, establishing a secure perimeter for public safety. Initial attempts to negotiate the suspect’s surrender failed, leading Officer Reid to guide the female victim to safety. When the suspect refused to comply and attempted to retreat, Officers Reid and Hunter swiftly intervened, apprehending him without escalation. A subsequent search uncovered a dangerous arsenal, including an AK-47 and several handguns, along with illegal drugs. The suspect faced multiple serious charges.
Citation — Special Investigations Section — Lt. Steven Coyle, Sgt. Jason Burd, Detectives Connor Elmore, Thomas Feehan, Raymond Jean Jr., Matthew Krug and Ryan Ostler
In February 2024, under Lt. Steven Coyle’s leadership, Special Investigations Section detectives monitored a Fulton Street residence as part of a drug investigation. Detectives Elmore, Feehan and Krug swiftly apprehended a suspected drug dealer during a street-level narcotics transaction after a brief foot chase, recovering two glassine bags of crack cocaine. Simultaneously, Detectives Jean Jr., Ostler and Sgt. Burd conducted a motor vehicle stop on a suspected buyer, who admitted to purchasing drugs from the dealer. The dealer, who had five outstanding warrants, including for drug trafficking and firearms offenses, was arrested after evading capture since 2021. Following this, the detectives secured the residence and executed a search warrant, resulting in the seizure of over 5 kilograms of cocaine, nearly 4 kilograms of fentanyl, over $65,000 in cash and two illegal firearms.
Commendation — Officers Dreyson DeMello, Shane Goyette, Kevin Griffin, Denny Perrin Jr. and Matthew Trani
In June 2024, Officers Shane Goyette and Kevin Griffin were patrolling downtown Lowell for a stolen scooter from Lowell High School when they located the scooter on John Street, occupied by two suspects matching a description they had been given. During a traffic stop, the suspects initially refused to comply, with the passenger behaving suspiciously. Concerned about a potential weapon, the officers conducted a pat frisk, discovering a loaded 9mm Glock 26 handgun in the passenger’s sweatshirt pocket. Both juveniles were arrested, with the driver charged with receiving stolen property and the passenger facing firearm-related charges. While these arrests were underway, Officers DeMello, Perrin Jr. and Trani responded to an active fight involving juveniles on Merrimack Street. Officer Trani pursued and detained a fleeing juvenile who had handed off a cross-body bag to another, which contained a .357 Magnum revolver. The officers’ prompt actions led to the recovery of two firearms and prevented further violence in a congested area post-school dismissal.
Commendation — Sgt. David Quirbach, Officers Shane Goyette and Erica Torres
On Oct. 10, 2024, Sgt. David Quirbach and Officers Shane Goyette and Erica Torres responded to a call about a large altercation at UTEC, a teen center, which escalated into a possible stabbing. Upon arrival, they faced a chaotic scene but quickly gathered critical information from a bystander, leading them inside the building, where they found a 22-year-old male with lacerations to his abdomen and hand. While Officer Torres requested EMS, Sgt. Quirbach and Officer Goyette provided first aid despite the victim’s evasiveness. Recognizing suspicious behavior, Sgt. Quirbach ordered a pat frisk, during which Officer Goyette discovered a loaded Springfield XD-9 handgun concealed in the victim’s pant leg. The firearm, with one round in the chamber, led to the suspect being placed under guard and later charged with multiple firearm offenses.
Citation — Neighborhood Response Unit — Capt. Daniel Desmarais, Lt. Dawn Beauchesne, Sgt. Jose Ramirez, Officers Derik Bettencourt, Andres Bolivar, Robert Joyce, Daniel Kingan, Paul Paradise, Tong Phay, Crime Analysts Madeline Nobrega and Brandy Rowbotham, and Crime Analyst Supervisor Meghan Ferreira
As part of the Neighborhood Response Unit, Officers Bettencourt, Bolivar, Joyce, Kingan, Paradise, and Phay have diligently addressed community concerns throughout the year, tackling numerous citizen complaints sourced from police reports, online submissions, social media and neighborhood meetings. Under the leadership of Capt. Daniel Desmarais, Lt. Dawn Beauchesne and Sgt. Jose Ramirez, they reviewed online content and surveillance footage, resolving over 65 theft and shoplifting incidents, along with 27 cases of breaking and entering into vehicles, while identifying individuals in more than 40 ongoing investigations. Collaborating with the Crime Analysis and Intelligence Unit, the officers gathered crucial suspect information and developed comprehensive intelligence sheets for the District Attorney’s Office. This teamwork not only highlighted criminal patterns but also identified underlying issues such as addiction and mental health, assisting the courts in determining appropriate actions for each case. Their dedication to resolving citizen concerns and their collaborative efforts exemplify the commitment to making Lowell a safer city for all.
Life-Saving Award — Sgt. Tracy Kelly and Officer Shane Goyette
Lowell Police officers, led by Officer Goyette, responded to an urgent call in February 2023 about a potentially suicidal man threatening to jump off the John E. Cox Bridge. Recognizing the critical nature of the situation, Officer Goyette and other officers, including Sgt. Tracy Kelly, coordinated efforts to secure the area and prevent public access. Despite the individual’s initial unresponsiveness, Officer Goyette and Sgt. Kelly engaged with the individual patiently, attempting to build rapport. At one point, he hung by his fingertips over the river, but their calm persistence eventually convinced him to pull himself back to safety. The coordinated efforts led to a successful rescue, with the individual later taken to a hospital for necessary care.
Exceptional Unit Action Award — Body Worn Camera Unit — Lt. William Florence, Detective Carlos Mercado, Digital Evidence Specialist Haley Morris
In April 2023, the Lowell Police Department launched a Body Worn Camera (BWC) Pilot Program, reinforcing its commitment to transparency, accountability and officer safety. Lt. William Florence and Detective Carlos Mercado led the initiative, focusing on training officers and establishing a policy for effective BWC use. Digital Evidence Specialist Haley Morris managed the data integrity, ensuring secure and accessible footage storage. Following the pilot program’s success, the team rapidly expanded the program, equipping every full-time officer with a BWC within six weeks while handling an increase in public records requests. By April 2024, 211 cameras had been deployed, underscoring the team’s dedication to public trust and operational excellence.
Distinguished Unit Action Award — Gang Unit — Sgt. Michael Bouvier, Officers Matthew Casella, Alec Golner, Danny Perrin Jr., Johnny Sann and Matthew Trani
From Jan. 1 to Oct. 18, 2024, Lowell Police Department Gang Unit officers showcased exceptional dedication to public safety, making 93 arrests, filing 64 criminal summonses, and recovering 11 illegal firearms. Their diligent efforts in removing firearms have contributed significantly to reducing firearm-related incidents in Lowell. Beyond enforcement, these officers engaged proactively with at-risk youth, working alongside support organizations to build trust and redirect young individuals from dangerous paths. Through partnerships with local, state and federal agencies, the Gang Unit has strengthened intelligence-sharing and contributed to multi-agency crime prevention.
Exceptional Unit Action Award — Special Investigations Section — Lt. Steven Coyle, Sgt. Jason Burd, Detectives Connor Elmore, Thomas Feehan, Raymond Jean Jr., Matthew Krug and Ryan Ostler
The Lowell Police Department Special Investigations Section (SIS), in close collaboration with state and federal agencies, has played a pivotal role in combating narcotics distribution in 2024 through high-risk operations, leading to critical arrests and significant seizures. Key achievements include the arrest of a suspect in March with an illegal firearm, a May drug raid yielding methamphetamine and other drugs, a July apprehension involving cocaine and a loaded pistol, and an October operation dismantling a major cocaine trafficking ring, resulting in six arrests and the seizure of firearms, large quantities of cocaine, and $53,000. These sustained efforts highlight the SIS’s dedication to enhancing community safety.
Citizen Citation — George Coulouras and Daniel Martin
On Oct. 7, 2024, George Coulouras, from the City of Lowell Department of Planning and Development, and Daniel Martin, a Middlesex Community College employee, demonstrated remarkable bravery and empathy when they encountered a man clinging to a bridge railing over the Concord River. Acting together with compassion and active listening, they gained the man’s trust, then reached over the railing to pull him to safety, providing comfort until first responders arrived. Their courageous actions reflect great credit on themselves, the City of Lowell and the community.
The Lowell Police Department would also like to offer a very special thank you to Kim Hanifan and Carole Martin from Superintendent Hudon’s Office for their hard work in organizing and preparing for the awards ceremony. Without their dedication and hard work, none of these officers could have been recognized in this manner. Their efforts are deeply appreciated.