Four of Police Department's Finest Recognized

Norton police officers Christopher McCarthy, Kevin Schleicher, David Schepis and Stephen Desfosses all received recognition at Thursday night’s selectmen’s meeting.

 All four were commended for their various accomplishments, both within the and beyond.

 In November, selectmen received word that Patrolman Schepis, who was serving in Afghanistan as a staff sergeant doing customs Aug. 28, drew fire away from Forward Operating Base Salerno, which was being attacked by insurgents. While under gunfire, Schepis did not leave until the wounded were loaded into a vehicle to be brought to safety. Once the wounded were dropped off at the troop medical center, they returned to the fight just as a suicide bomber with bolt cutters cut through the outer perimeter fence, and was killed in front of Schepis. Schepis went to a nearby guard tower to get heavier firepower.

 “Helicopter gunships destroyed the recoilless rifles on the hill tops, an AC-130 gunship, and the actions of SSG Schepis’s team prevented the base from being overrun by insurgents,” wrote CPT Brien Durkee, 342nd Military Police Detachment Commander.

 “Norton should be proud of one of their finest, is saving lives here just as he did in Norton.”

 Schepis returned to Norton April 23.

 Sergeant Stephen Desfosses represented the Norton Police Honor Guard, which won Best In Uniform at the Aquidneck Island Police Parade in Newport and had the plaque to prove it. The Norton Police Honor Guard has won several other awards at the parade in years past as well.

 Patrolman Kevin Schleicher Jr. just completed the MBTA police academy April 13 and is a new full time Norton police officer. He is also the recipient of the Top Gun Award. Patrolman Christopher McCarthy, a veteran of the Marine Corps, also is displaying his talents in Norton.

 All four men were presented tricentennial pins by selectmen chairman Bradford Bramwell.

 “We’ve always had a great police department, don’t get me wrong,” said Robert Kimball. “But we’re stepping it up.” Kimball also noted that the department does a lot, though they have been understaffed for over a decade.

 Bramwell and Robert Salvo also noted how involved the police department is in the community, between pancake breakfasts and chicken wing cook-offs.

 “We’re very fortunate to have men like you,” Kimball said.