Newport This Week

NPD Recognizes Outstanding Officers





Former Newport Police Chief Ed Lavalle with son, Detective Joe Lavalle, at the recent annual police awards. (Photos by Lynne Tungett)

Former Newport Police Chief Ed Lavalle with son, Detective Joe Lavalle, at the recent annual police awards. (Photos by Lynne Tungett)

The Newport Police Department held its annual awards ceremony on May 21 at Thompson Middle School, where its awards committee recognized 15 officers and two civilians for exemplary performance throughout 2017.

Made up of six Newport police, the committee reviewed hundreds of community incidents and recommendations. The force of 78 officers includes 42 officers who have joined the ranks since 2011, according to Chief Gary T. Silva, who welcomed officers and guests to the ceremony.

“We are a transitioning department,” Silva said. “These new officers are on the street a lot.”

The most distinguished honor the awards committee bestows is the Medal of Valor, which is presented each year to one or more officers for attempting to “prevent death or serious injury to another person demonstrating the highest tradition of police service,” according to the event program.

The committee recognized Detective Steve Carrig and a civilian, Amanda Tracy, for their combined efforts last year to save the life of an injured Newporter who was bleeding from his arm near the intersection of Thames and Dennison streets. Carrig received the Medal of Honor, and Tracy one of two NPD Civilian Awards. The other was given to Christopher Barra for his efforts to assist officers in disarming a man in an incident involving a knife last year.

Christopher Barra was presented a Civilian Award for his efforts in assisting the police department.

Christopher Barra was presented a Civilian Award for his efforts in assisting the police department.

Silva then announced the winners of the Chief’s Award, given to officers who, “through their consistent high level of performance have demonstrated their dedication, expertise, devotion to duty, professionalism and adherence to the ideals and standards of police service to the community. Receiving the Chief’s Award honors for their work in 2017 were Detective Joe Lavallee and officers Seth Moseley and Seth Fails.

Meritorious Service Awards were also handed out to officers for “highly credible accomplishments as a result of excellent police work, devotion to duty and superior performance,” according to the program. Receiving the awards this year were Sgts. Maurice Sellers and Rob Salter, Detectives Jacque Wuest and Kevin Cardoza, and Officers Mike Sherman, Chris Horwood, John Salisbury, Seth Fails and Matt Clarizio.

Silva told the crowd at Thompson that nationally 135 officers died in the line of duty last year, and recognized all of the NPD officers for their hard work to keep safe the City by the Sea.

“Awards do not take away from the dedication of all the officers in the department,” he said.


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