Officer Matthew Corcelli Named 'Officer of the Year" at Police Awards Ceremony

Thirty Newport police officers and four civilians were honored during the Newport Police Department’s Annual Awards Ceremony at on Monday night. Officers were honored for their excellence in 24 separate incidents.

BCI Officer Matthew Corcelli, an 11-year veteran of the Newport Police Department, was awarded Officer of the Year. Corcelli currently serves in the Criminal Investigation Division as Chief Crime Scene Investigator.

“He draws rave reviews from his supervisors, including the Division Commander, Captain Russell Hayes,” a press released from the police department said. “Captain Hayes states that in a Department of many outstanding officers, Matthew's efforts have earned him to be recognized as the top officer in the Department in 2011.”

In the past year, Officer Corcelli has been responsible for two narcotics arrests and two weapons arrests, which is notable considering his position does not require him to be on patrol. He is also responsible for overseeing sex offenders in Newport who must register with the police department, and has been responsible for 20 sex offender arrests.

“He is a large part of why the streets in the City of Newport are safer. His dedication, high level of professionalism, and devotion to duty made him a unanimous choice for the 2011 Officer of the Year Award.”

Officer Jason Brown, Officer Maurice Sellers, and Officers Patrick Walsh received the Medal of Honor for their efforts involving the last fall. The officers posed as delivery men, knowing the suspects were armed and planned to rob them.

Officer Matthew Clark and Officer Joshua Wildes also received the Medal of Honor Award for their efforts in saving a suicidal woman on the Pell Bridge. The two officers climbed over the railing of the bridge in windy and foggy weather, risking their lives to save her life. Due to their heroic efforts, the woman was escorted back to safety.

Hundreds of incidents were reviewed and voted on by the committee before making decisions on the awards.

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Full list of awards:

Officer

# of Awards

Officer Greg Belcher

1 Meritorious Service Award

Officer Jason Brown

1 Medal of Honor Award

Officer Kevin Cardoza

1 Meritorious Service Award

Lieutenant Michael Caruolo

1 Meritorious Service Award

Officer Robert Caruolo

1 Chief's Award

Officer Matthew Clark

1 Medal of Honor Award

Sergeant Adam Conheeny

2 Meritorious Service Awards

Sergeant Sean Connerton

1 Meritorious Service Award

BCI Officer Matthew Corcelli

1 Meritorious Service Award

Detective Jonathan Cortes

1 Meritorious Service Award and 1 Chief's Award

Officer Ryan Doyle

1 Meritorious Service Award and 1 Chief's Award

Detective Ryan Duffy

1 Meritorious Service Award

Sergeant Robert Golden

1 Meritorious Service Award

Officer Jason Head

1 Meritorious Service Award

Sergeant Corey Huck

1 Meritorious Service Award

Detective Jason Kleinknecht

2 Meritorious Service Awards

Officer Joseph Lavallee

2 Meritorious Service Awards

Officer Ian McGregor

1 Meritorious Service Award

Officer Manual Medeiros

1 Chief's Award

Officer Keven Moreira

3 Meritorious Service Awards and 1 Chief's Award

COP Officer Kevin Parsonage

1 Meritorious Service Award

Detective Frank Rosa

3 Meritorious Service Awards and 1 Chief's Award

Officer Merri Scott

1 Meritorious Service Award and 1 Chief's Award

Officer Maurice Sellers

1 Meritorious Service Awards  1 Chief's Award and 1 Medal of Honor

Lieutenant Charles Silvia

1 Meritorious Service Award

Sergeant Robert Silveria

1 Meritorious Service Award

Officer Christopher Sloan

2 Meritorious Service Awards

Officer Anson Smith

1 Meritorious Service Award

Officer Patrick Walsh

1 Meritorious Service Award and 1 Medal of Honor Award

Officer Joshua Wildes

1 Medal of Honor Award

Officer of the Year Award

BCI Officer Matthew Corcelli

Civilian Awards

Dispatcher Pamela Fournier

Dispatcher Alan Aten

Zoning Officer Denis Sullivan

Mr. Russell Bratcher