POSTED ON: MAY 17, 2024 – 9:55AM

MIDDLETON, Mass – Fourteen Essex County Sheriff’s deputies and three nurses were honored this week with meritorious recognitions awards from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) for their roles in saving the lives of others.

“Our correctional officers face great adversity on the job every day and often their heroics go unnoticed by the public. They train. They learn. They practice, and they are well-prepared to face any situation with professionalism and skill,” Sheriff Kevin Coppinger said. “These men and women demonstrated great bravery in each of these situations that resulted in a life being saved.”

“The Correctional Employee of the Year Awards provides an important opportunity to honor the courage and kindness of correctional officers and staff that so often occurs away from public view and without the public recognition it deserves,” Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy said. “Massachusetts communities rely on correctional professionals for their meaningful contributions to public safety, victim services, and the successful reentry of those entrusted to their care.”

The following officers and medical staff received their honors at the 27th Correctional Employee of the Year Awards Ceremony at Mechanics Hall in Worcester:

  • Security Investigator Leonardo Jorge and his K9 Drago received a meritorious recognition award for locating a missing Essex County man that was experiencing suicidal idealizations.
  • Security Investigator Jon Campbell, Capt. Alex Wilson, Sgt. Patrick Wallace, Sgt. Jared Valeri, Officer Derek DePietro, Officer William Glidden, and Officer Jose Quinones received a meritorious recognition award for saving an inmate with life-threatening injuries.
  • Sgt. Mark Duquette, Sgt. Isaac Mercer, Officer Anthony Lopez-Sanchez, Officer Kayli Kotchian, Officer Mark Csogi, Officer Michael Palm, and WellPath Nurses Elena Shevtsova, Nicole Newman, and David McCauliffe for successfully bringing back to life an inmate suffering a major cardiac event. Read more here: https://www.essexsheriffma.org/home/news/inmate-thanks-essex-county-corrections-officers-saving-his-life