25 Newport Officers to Receive Awards in Annual Ceremony

The annual Newport Police Awards Ceremony is scheduled for tonight and a total of 25 officers will be recognized as a total of 33 awards will be handed out.

The awards are in recognition of outstanding police work, devotion to duty, performing outstanding acts in the line of duty and one officer will receive the Officer of the Year award.

The ceremony takes place at Thompson Jr. High School. Officers will muster at 5:45 p.m. and will march to Thompson. Broadway will be closed during their march from Oak to Marlborough.

Capt. Russell Hayes will lead the procession with his bagpipes as they march before all the officers will stand at rest for 10 minutes to give family and friends time to take pictures before they head into the auditorium.

Here's a list of awards and their recipients: 
Meritorious Service Awards: Awarded for a highly credible accomplishment made by the officer as a result of excellent police work, devotion to duty, and superior performance:

• Officer Ryan Doyle (3)
• Retired Sergeant Robert Silveria
• Officer Stephen Carrig
• Officer Jack Billings
• Detective Seth Godek
• Officer Marc Constantineau
• Officer Eric Barden
• Officer Patrick Walsh
• Sergeant Rita Barker

Chief’s Award:  Presented to an officer who through his or her consistent high level of performance has demonstrated his or her dedication, expertise, devotion to duty, professionalism, and adherence to the ideals and standards of police service to the community:

• Officer Merrie Scott
• Officer Ryan Doyle
• Detective Jason Kleinknecht
• Sergeant John Carlone
• Sergeant Ryan Duffy
• Sergeant Michael Naylor
• Officer Eric Barden
• Sergeant Christopher Hayes
• Community Police Officer Robert Salter
• Officer Jack Billings
• Officer Robert Caruolo
• Officer Eric Adkins 

Medal of Valor:  Awarded for an outstanding act committed by an officer in an attempt to prevent death or serious injury to another person, demonstrating the highest tradition of police service:

• Officer Brett Misturado and Officer Matthew Sardinha for their efforts preventing a suicidal man from jumping off the Pell Bridge
• Officers Matt Clark, Ryan Doyle, Joseph Lavallee, Christopher McGregor, Robert Caruolo, and Sergeant Jonathan Cortes for their efforts in preventing a suicidal man from jumping off of the Pell Bridge
• Officer Jeffrey Clark for saving a man’s life by giving him CPR while Officer Clark was off duty and noticed the man unresponsive.

Officer of the Year Award:  Awarded to an officer for the past year’s worth of work, not just one particular incident.  The officer is devoted to duty  beyond the requirements of the job and produces exceptional work and demonstrates superior imitative in the performance of his or her duties:

Officer Ryan Doyle

Medal of Valor

Sergeant Jonathan Cortes, Officers Matthew Clark, Christopher Mcgregor, Joseph Lavallee, Ryan Doyle and Robert Caruolo

On May 20, 2013 at about 10:00 p.m., Officer Clark along with other officers were dispatched to the Newport Bridge for a report of a man walking over the bridge in a westerly direction.Officer Clark was the first on scene and located the man near the center span of the bridge.  Once Officer Clark got out of his cruiser, the party climbed over the railing and leaned out over the rail toward the water facing the lane of travel. Officer Clark radioed in the situation and immediately engaged the party in conversation.  The man indicated that he was in despair and wanted to end his life. Sgt. Cortes, Officers Caruolo, Doyle, Lavallee, McGregor arrived on scene to assist.

While an action plan was being developed, the party kept removing one hand from the railing continuing to hang out over the water. All officers on scene established a tactical safety line up by linking their arms together.  Once the party saw this, he let go of the railing.  They grabbed a hold of the man, preventing him from falling to his death.

With the efforts of all the officers, this man was pulled to safety and transported to Newport Hospital for evaluation. This incident demonstrates proper assessment of circumstances and coordinated teamwork.  But for the heroic actions of all these officers, the man surely would have fallen to his death.

Sergeant Jonathan Cortes, Officers Matthew Clark, Christopher McGregor, Joseph Lavallee, Ryan Doyle and Robert Caruolo as a result of their outstanding act to prevent death to another person, demonstrating the highest tradition of police service, earned the Medal of Valor Award.

Valor Award

Officer Jeffrey Clark

On July 10, 2013 at approximately 6:50 pm, Officer Jeffery Clark was off-duty and walking on Broadway near the intersection of Farewell Street. His attention was directed to the sidewalk area in front of 4 Farewell St where a group of people had gathered for a man lying on the pavement. Officer Clark immediately assessed the situation, determined the man was not breathing and did not have a pulse. He quickly initiated CPR and continued with his efforts until arrival of Newport Fire Department personnel. NFD took control and continued advanced life saving measures. While being administered to by NFD the man experienced three lapses from life to clinical death. Their sustained efforts were eventually successful, allowing restoration of breathing and a heart rate as he was transported to Newport Hospital.

Captain Philip Oliveira of the Newport Fire Department was on scene and later contacted me to praise Officer Clark for his actions.  Officer Clark’s early intervention by initiating CPR was critical to saving the life of the man.  Officer Clark when above and beyond the call of duty.

Officer Jeffrey Clark, as a result of his outstanding act to prevent death to another person, demonstrating the highest tradition of police service, earned the Medal of Valor Award.