Malden Police Receive Awards For Solving 1983 Case

Article and info provided by the Middlesex District Attorney's Office:

In honor of their commitment and dedication to the investigation of a 1983 previously unsolved murder, members of the Malden Police Department, Massachusetts State Police Crime Scene Services, and members of the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and Middlesex Detective Unit were presented with the Spotlight Investigative Award at a ceremony held in Woburn, Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone announced today.

The Spotlight Award is presented to an investigative team of law enforcement officers and Assistant District Attorneys who are recognized for the successful and thorough investigation of complex crimes.  The recipients were awarded this honor for their persistent dedication and teamwork on a 1983 unsolved homicide which recently resulted in the arrest of a defendant, Shawn Marsh, 46, of Holyoke, who has been charged in connection with a fatal shooting of Rodney Wyman.

This year’s recipients are:

• Retired Massachusetts State Police Troopers William Flynn and Laura Beurman
• Retired Malden Police Detective John Rivers
• Malden Police Detectives Ted Meroski and Mark Mullaney
• Massachusetts State Police Crime Scene Services Trooper Chris Dolan
• Retired Massachusetts State Police Lieutenant Brian O’Hara
• Middlesex Detective Unit Lieutenant Al Hunte and Trooper Bruce O’Rourke
• Assistant District Attorneys John McEvoy, Elisha Willis, and Michael Kaneb
• Victim Witness Advocate Anne Foley
• Middlesex County Paralegal Kyle Reed 

“This investigation is a terrific and successful example of the benefits of police work combined with advances in criminal forensic technology to solve cases,” District Attorney Leone said.  “Due to this team’s dedication to solving this 28-year-old previously unsolved case, a defendant is now behind bars where he is awaiting trial for his role in the death of a young man. I commend this group for their outstanding commitment to this case on behalf of the victim and his family.”

The annual Middlesex District Attorney’s Awards Ceremony was held on December 8 at Woburn Memorial High School in Woburn.  The office has a proud legacy of exemplary service to the people of Middlesex County, and the series of awards are named in honor of many of the former members of the office.

Middlesex alumni who were in attendance to present the awards named in their honor were Attorney General and former Middlesex D.A. Martha Coakley and former Middlesex D.A. and Attorney General Thomas F. Reilly.

Those awards presented included:

The John Droney District Court Award:

Warren Lee, Anne Paruti, Margaret Foley, Katie Michaud

The Scott Harshbarger Prevention and Intervention Award:

Theresa Young

Thomas F. Reilly Trial Team Award:

Carl Schiller, Fawn Balliro, Howard Wong, Amanda Rowan, Kristen D’Agnelli, Jennafer Connolly

The Martha Coakley Child Protection Award:

Deborah Bercovitch, Kathleen Tolle, Katie Nugent

The District Attorney’s Victim Witness Advocate Award:

Susie Marshall

September 11th Award:

Late Officer John “Jack” Maguire, presented to his wife, Desiree Maguire

John F. Kerry Leadership Awards:

Ceara Mahoney, Dora Quiroz, Susan Ledoux

Martin T. Meehan Educational Leadership Award:

Nashoba Valley Technical High School Superintendent Judith Klimkiewicz and Assistant Principal Matthew Ricard

Ruth Abrams Outstanding Attorney Award

Kevin Curtin

Paul R. McLaughlin Community Activist Award

Joe and Priscilla Matterazzo, Jacquelin Apsler

209A Pro Bono Initiative Certificate of Appreciation

Jon Barooshian, Sarah Knoff

Spotlight Investigative Award

Retired Massachusetts State Police Troopers William Flynn and Laura Beurman, Retired Malden Police Detective John Rivers, Malden Police Detectives Ted Meroski and Mark Mullaney, Massachusetts State Police Crime Scene Services Trooper Chris Dolan, Retired Massachusetts State Police Lieutenant Brian O’Hara, Middlesex Detective Unit Lieutenant Al Hunte and Trooper Bruce O’Rourke, Assistant District Attorneys John McEvoy, Elisha Willis, and Michael Kaneb, Victim Witness Advocate Anne Foley, Middlesex County Paralegal Kyle Reed 

Massachusetts State Police Latham/Moynihan Award

Lieutenant Edward Forster, Trooper Gerald Collins.

The Middlesex District Attorney’s Office has a proud tradition of protecting and serving the people of Middlesex County through tough, fair prosecutions and proactive, progressive prevention and intervention efforts.  The mission of the Office of the Middlesex District Attorney is to protect and serve the public, fight for victims, and speak for those who otherwise would have no voice.