Two Tewksbury Detectives Honored by Gov. Baker

TEWKSBURY, MA — Two Tewksbury police officers were honored by Gov. Charlie Baker with the Medal of Valor at the Massachusetts State House Thursday for their actions during a police-involved shooting at the Salter School in 2015.

Detectives Edward Jackman and Michael McLaughlin were awarded the Medal of Valor at the Trooper George L. Hanna Memorial Awards Ceremony at the state house Thursday. The two were awarded the medal for their actions during an incident in which a man had stabbed two victims and drew a gun on officers in the Salter School parking lot.

I am so very proud of both Detective Jackman and Detective McLaughlin and I feel exceptionally fortunate to lead the organization they have performed so admirably for," Tewksbury police chief Timothy Sheehan said in a statement."The entire Department is grateful that Detective McLaughlin and Detective Jackman were recognized for their extreme courage and valor, acting in accordance with the finest traditions of the Tewksbury Police Department."

On the morning of Feb. 17, 2015, a man identified as Doug Sparks of Medford allegedly stabbed two school employees were stabbed in the arms and hands, the tires on the victim’s vehicle were slashed with a knife, and a car window on the suspect’s vehicle was broken. The female victim was dragged by the suspect in his vehicle to another part of the parking lot as the incident continued.

Sparks later left on foot and was found on Forest Avenue by police. Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan said that he refused to follow orders by the detectives who responded. Shots were fired at Sparks, and he was transported to a hospital where he later died of his injuries.

Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan later ruled that the officers were justified in using deadly force.

"The work performed by the men and women of the Tewksbury Police Department in my tenure as Chief is nothing short of amazing and I am so very appreciative of all their efforts," said Sheehan."I pray every night that God will return them safely to their families after each tour."

Images courtesy of the Tewksbury Police Department