Essex County Sergeant Earns Massachusetts Sheriffs' Association Honor

MIDDLETON, MA — Essex County Sgt. James Ridley was honored as the Correctional Supervisor of the Year at a Massachusetts Sheriffs' Association ceremony on Tuesday at the State House.

Ridley, a Lynn resident, was honored for exhibiting outstanding leadership during critical situations, including performing CPR and directing life-saving efforts for an unresponsive individual and administering Narcan to save another man's life.

The department was also awarded Program of the Year for its Supporting Transitions and Re-Entry (STAR) program in Lawrence and Lynn.

Ridley is a 19-year veteran of the Essex County Sheriff's Department.

"These are just a few examples of Sgt. Ridley jumping into action to prevent death and serious injury as he frequently does with his quick-thinking and excellent communication and de-escalation skills," Essex County Sheriff Kevin Coppinger said. "He is often a resource for correctional officers who have developed trust in him, not just because of his job performance during critical moments, but because of his commitment to integrity."

The goal of the STAR program is to keep people out of the justice system by using community partnerships and wrap-around services to provide clinical, educational, and vocational services to help individuals thrive in their communities.

Opened in April 2022, the STAR program saw over 400 referrals in its first year and assisted 135 participants.

"Nearly 80 percent of these STAR participants joined our program voluntarily, highlighting the dedicated and compassionate staff who go above and beyond to ensure clients have the tools and services they need to be successful," Coppinger said. "Because of these dedicated individuals, the STAR Program is reducing recidivism while making our communities safer, while also providing a second chance to so many people in need."

Gov. Maura Healey spoke at the ceremony, offering words of praise and gratitude for the award recipients.

"The law enforcement and corrections professionals celebrated today go above and beyond each and every day to keep our communities safe and strong. It is a privilege to honor their courage and compassion, and on behalf of Massachusetts, we thank them for their dedicated service to our communities, " Healey said.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)