Ben Black named LPD's Officer of the Year

LACONIA — City police honored some of their own Wednesday night in a ceremony at Pitman's Freight Room that was not open to the general public.

According to statements released to the media on Thursday, the recognized Officer of the Year was Master Patrol Officer Benjamin C. Black.

The lifesaving award went to Officer Richard Bassett for performing CPR on a man who overdosed on heroin until a fire/rescue crew arrived on the scene.

The volunteer of the year award went to Officer Richard Bassett for his work in Special Olympics and reading to school children.

Honorable Service awards went to DARE Officer Michelle Cardinal, Master Patrol Officer Jonathan R. Howe, for his work in training and for being well-rounded, and Master Patrol Officer Kevin Shortt for growth in his job performance.

The first distinguished unit award went for Black, Officer Austin Schilling and Officer Richard Carlson for a traffic stop that led to a drug arrest.

The second distinguished unit action award went to Master Patrol Officers Joseph R. Marquis and Robert E. Sedgley, Jr. Officer Holly Callanan, Officer Kyle Jepsen, Officer Richard Bassett, Officer Bryan Moynihan, Officer Austin C. Schilling, Det. Kendra Neri, Dispatcher Marnel A. Dilorenzo, Dispatcher Timothy M. Brunelle, Dispatcher Wayne W. Swearingin for their actions in the Thanksgiving snowstorm.

Meritorious service awards went to Holly Callanan for her work in investigating a fatal accident, Sgt. Christopher R.A. Noyes for his previous work in narcotics, Det. Kevin Butler for the arrest of a flasher, and Officer Joseph Tucker for finding two young people who were stealing from cars in Lakeport.

Rewarded for time in service were Commissioner Armand Maheux (20 years), Det. Kevin Butler (15 years), and Officers Gary Allen and Holly Callanan (5 years). Administrative Secretary Colleen J. Richardson was also recognized for five years of service.

Officers who didn't use their alloted sick time were Chief Christopher Adams, Officer Tyler Babineau, Det. Kevin Butler, Capt. Matthew Canfield, Capt. William Clary, Officer Megan Denutte, Sgt. Michael Finogle, Dispatcher Amanda H.D. Mountford, Officer Austin Schilling, Det. Sgt. Thomas Swett and Det. Jeff Wholley.

Commissioners Warren Clement and Doug Whittum did not attend the awards ceremony so the gathering did not constitute an official meeting of the Police Commission.