2 Nashua Police Officers Honored for Incredible Heroics

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Nashua police said two officers were recently recognized for life-saving heroics.

Officer Julia Banks

In her first year here at the Nashua Police Department, Officer Julia Banks was awarded a Medal for Lifesaving with Valor. On March 9th, 2015 at 4:30pm Officer Banks responded to the area of the Pheasant Lane Mall for the report of a shoplifting that had just occurred. Upon arriving on scene she was directed to the area of the Merrimack River by two mall security officers. Officer Banks located the suspect, later identified as Travis Laponsee, fleeing along the riverbank clutching the merchandise he had just stolen. Officer Banks slid down a steep embankment towards the river’s edge and began to chase Mr. Laponsee. Upon seeing the officer, Laponsee headed towards the ice lining the banks of the river and continued to flee. Laponsee fell through the ice and began to swim towards the middle of the fast moving, frigid river. Faced with the fact that Mr. Laponsee had now placed himself in a life or death circumstance, Officer Banks jumped into the river while fully equipped in her police gear and uniform. Officer Banks swam towards Laponsee and was able to drag him back to shore. Both Mr. Laponsee and Officer Banks were treated at the hospital for exposure. Officer Banks, with total disregard for her own personal safety, displayed heroic courage in saving Mr. Laponsee from certain death in the frigid and deep waters of the Merrimack River.

Officer Steven Berry

A five-year veteran of the Nashua Police Department, Officer Steven Berry was awarded a Letter of Recognition for his actions in dealing with an emotionally disturbed person. On February 7 th, 2015 at 6:30pm Officer Berry responded to the area of Harbor Drive for the report of a distraught female with visible injuries. Officer Berry located this female sitting in a snow bank with a knife in her hand. Upon seeing Officer Berry, the female immediately began to stab herself repeatedly in the abdomen with the knife. Recognizing the urgency for immediate life saving actions, Officer Berry utilized his Taser and successfully disarmed the female. Officer Berry then began to provide medical attention to the female until such time as she was transported to the hospital. The female later disclosed that she had planned on killing herself that evening. Officer Berry received this recognition for his quick thinking and decisive actions which enabled this female to receive the mental health treatment she desperately required.

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