Salem Officers Recognized for Congressional Awards

On Monday, the Salem Board of Selectmen recognized several Salem Police officers who were honored last month with 2012 Congressional Law Enforcement Awards.

Those awarded were Officers Joseph DeFeudis and Eric Pappalardo for the "Above and Beyond the Call of Duty" and Lt. Rob Morin for "Dedication and Professionalism."

At Monday's meeting, Salem Police Chief Paul Donovan said DeFeudis and Pappalardo were awarded for their actions during an armed standoff in Pelham on Oct. 22, 2011.

Donovan said the officers responded as part of mutual aid. A man had been involved in a domestic incident in Lowell, Mass., where he pointed a gun at an officer and then fled the scene.

The chase ended up in Pelham, where a Pelham officer drove their car into the suspect's car to make him stop after he evaded a number of road blocks. After that, Donovan said the suspect, still armed, got out of the car.

"The officers tried to talk him into dropping the gun, but he would not do it," Donovan said.

Eventually, the suspect pointed the gun at the officers, who then "fired to protect their fellow police officers," Donovan said. The suspect was killed on scene.

"Our officers were recognized for their courage and their bravery in a life-threatening situation," Donovan said.

For Morin, Donovan praised the lieutenant for his "selfless performance on and off-duty."

Donovan said Morin is involved in Relay For Life, the annual Fox Trot ride, youth hockey, high school wrestling, the department's annual Toys for Tots drive, charities and scholarships for Salem students.

He added Morin is heavily involved in the department's training practices, which are key for incidents like the one outlined above Donovan said.

Morin has also taken over many prosecution duties for the department which now has just one full-time prosecutor.

"We really think Rob deserved that award because of the amount of work that he does and the varied kinds of work he does is phenomenal," Donovan said.