Members of the Yarmouth Police Department were awarded for their bravery in response to the tragic incident that saw K-9 Officer Sean Gannon lose his life while serving an arrest warrant in April. (Mass. Police Assoc. photo)
PLYMOUTH – From the Massachusetts Police Association: Police officers from across the Commonwealth were honored Thursday for their bravery, selflessness and sacrifice at the Massachusetts Police Association’s (MPA) 118th Annual Convention awards ceremony in Plymouth. Municipal police officers from Boston, Plymouth, Brockton, Everett, Lawrence, Springfield and Yarmouth, received awards for various acts of valor and honor. The event was held at the Hotel 1620 Plymouth Harbor.
“This is an event we look forward to every year as a way to pay tribute to the hardworking law enforcement officers in our state,” said MPA President Alan Andrews of the Lawrence Police Department. “It was great to see the award recipients with their families enjoying the luncheon. They have made us all proud.” Those recognized during the ceremony included Yarmouth Police K-9 Officer Sean Gannon, who was killed in the line of duty on April 12 while serving an arrest warrant.
Several of his fellow officers from the Yarmouth Police Department were also honored for their efforts and response to the harrowing incident. Retired Yarmouth Police K-9 Officer Peter McClelland was given a Distinguished Service Medal for helping save the life of Officer Gannon’s K-9 Nero after Nero was shot during the incident that took his handler’s life.
“What an honor it was to be able to pay tribute to Officer Gannon with his wife, mother and loved ones in attendance,” President Andrews said. “Officer Gannon gave the ultimate sacrifice and the many officers that make up our membership will work hard every day to make sure his sacrifice was not in vain.”
Members of each department that received awards were called up to accept their medals to uproarious applause from the hundreds that were in attendance.
