ICYMI: Decorated Boston Police Officer Named MassBay Commencement Speaker

WELLESLEY, MA – A MassBay Community College alum and Boston police officer will return to his alma mater this week to deliver the keynote address at the school's 55th Commencement Ceremony. Jean JeanLouis, a 10-year veteran of the Boston Police Department, graduated from MassBay in 2007 with an Associate of Science degree in Criminal Justice before earning a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice at the University of Massachusetts Boston.

JeanLouis immigrated to Boston from Haiti with his family when he was three years old and always dreamed of becoming a Boston police officer to give back to his community. Since 2012, he has served on the department's Youth Violence Strike Force and has received numerous commendations, including the 2016 Jeremiah J. Hurley Jr. Medal of Honor Award, the 2014 Commonwealth of Massachusetts Governor’s Citation, the 2014 Boston Police Foundation Hero’s Award, the 2014 Boston Police John J. Mulligan Medal of Honor, the 2013 Boston Police Schroeder Brothers Medal – the highest commendation that a Police Officer can receive from the Boston Police Department – and the 2013 Boston Police Medal of Honor.

He received national attention in 2014 when he was honored with a National Association of Police Organizations Top Cops Award at a White House ceremony with President Barack Obama for his heroism during the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and ensuing manhunt for the suspects.

"It is a tremendous honor and privilege to be the 2017 MassBay Commencement speaker," JeanLouis said in a statement. "I am truly humbled for the opportunity to return and provide a special message to this year’s graduates. MassBay is an exceptional place, with exceptional people, which helped shape my career."

MassBay will also honor JeanLouis with a Distinguished Service Award, granted to individuals for their advocacy and service to MassBay and its communities. Long-time MassBay Criminal Justice Professor Marc Stanton will receive a Distinguished Service Award as well.

JeanLouis is currently pursuing his Master of Science in Criminal Justice Leadership at Northeastern University and will graduate in July as a member of the Order of the Shield National Honor Society.

"We are honored to have Jean JeanLouis as this year's Commencement Speaker," MassBay President David Podell said in a statement. "His life and work so far stands as a testament to the power of education and the importance of service and giving back to your own community. As an alumnus of MassBay, Officer JeanLouis graduated and forged his own path forward. Now, today's graduates will forge their own path. As they start on their own journey, I am sure they will greatly benefit from hearing his message."

MassBay's commencement ceremony will be held this Thursday, May 18 at the Wellesley Hills campus.

Patch File Photo

Story originally published May 15.