Westford Police Officers Honored For Rescuing Woman

WESTFORD, MA — Two Westford police officers were recently honored for rescuing a woman and subduing a violent suspect during a tense confrontation last month. Officers Ian McEnaney and Greg Burns were presented with "exceptional service" medals for their actions. (Subscribe to Westford Patch news alerts for breaking Westford news. iPhone/iPad users: download the new Patch app.)

Officials said on April 17 at about 3 a.m., McEnaney and Burns were parked on Groton Road when they heard a woman screaming for help from a moving car. The male driver then swerved off the road and hit a tree.

"The female passenger immediately exited the vehicle and ran towards the (officers) as if she was desperately trying to get away from the driver," police said in a statement. "Upon reaching the (officers), the female fell to the ground crying hysterically."

Police said the man yelled at the officers to shoot and kill him, claiming he had a gun. The officers "had the presence of mind to observe that no bulge or other indicator of a firearm was present ... After several attempts, Officer ... McEnaney was able to confirm with the female victim that the operator was not in possession of a firearm and was experiencing a mental health crisis."

The officers approached the man and took him into custody. He was transported to local hospital for a mental health evaluation. No one was hurt during the incident.

"(The officers') ability to recognize and appropriately deal with a person experiencing a mental health crisis kept the situation from becoming a deadly force encounter," police said. "(The officers) are a credit to the Westford Police Department and the Town of Westford."

Photo: Westford police Officers Greg Burns (left) and Ian McEnaney. (Credit: Westford Police Department)