Bruce Mason, Shirley Odell and Troy Henke present Southwick Police Officer Ernest Malone with the VFW Post 872’s Robert L. Miller Award for service May 21, 2019. (Hope E. Tremblay Photo)
SOUTHWICK – Members of the Southwick Police, Fire and Public Safety Dispatch were honored this week for exemplary service.
Troy Henke of VFW Post 872 recognized Southwick Police Officer Ernest Malone with the Robert L. Miller Award, named for a veteran and friend of Malone.
Henke described Malone’s relationship with Miller, who passed away last September as one that went “above and beyond the line of duty.” Malone helped Miller with household chores and checked on him daily.
In addition to the VFW award, Police Chief Kevin Bishop and Lt. Robert Landis presented Malone with the Exceptional Duty Award.
“This is awarded for a highly credible accomplishment bringing public acclaim to the officer, his or her department or the law profession as a result of training, devotion in duty or service to the public,” said Bishop. “This will be primarily our ‘problem solving’ or community oriented policing award.”
Southwick Fire Chief Russell Anderson recognized members of both the fire and police departments and said their service is a tradition that was started by residents.
Southwick Police Chief Kevin Bishop speaks during the recognition of police , fire and dispatch personnel May 21 at Southwick Regional School. (Hope E. Tremblay Photo)
“Nearly 90 years ago this fire department was started by neighbors looking to help neighbors in a time of need,” Anderson said. “Ten years later we purchased our first ambulance and with time came the advancement of certified EMTs.”
Anderson said the first responder system in Southwick has continued to grow and evolve with the needs of the community and will soon become and Advanced Life System department.
“Not a week goes by without a positive comment or thanks regarding the service these men and women provide,” he said.
Anderson recalled the events of June 6, 2018 when Dispatcher Peter Coe received a call “from a frantic responder” that her husband was unresponsive. Anderson said Coe was able to calm down the caller and get first responders on scene quickly. They were able to revive the patient who was Ed Thibault, a former firefighter.
Thibault and his wife were at the meeting Tuesday to honor those who helped him that day.
Those recognized included Southwick Police officers Greg Burt and Mark Siegel, and from the Southwick Fire Department Lt. Michael Ferraraccio, Firefighter/EMT Brian Schneider, Firefighter/Paramedic Ian Dipietro and Firefighter/EMT Chris Moccio and Dispatcher Coe.
