Woonsocket Detective to Receive Prestigious Justice Award

Woonsocket's Det. Daniel Turgeon will be among 11 individuals honored by Attorney General Peter F.Kilmartin this Thursday at 7th annual Justice Awards. The 20-year veteran of the Woonsocket Police Department will receive the General Herbert DeSimone Award for Drug Enforcement, in part for his work on one of the largest drug busts in state history.

Turgeon was nominated by Chief Thomas Carey and Lieutenant Kyle Stone for undercover work resulting in massive drug, cash and weapons seizures. Turgeon was one of the lead investigators in the and $1.5 million in North Kingstown last February. The case, which began locally turned into a international investigation involving the Mexican cartel and resulting in three arrests.

"That was one of several investigations that he was involved with that had a big impact," said Carey. "Everyone is attracted to different jobs in the department, but he's really found his niche with undercover work."

"When there's guns, drugs and money involved, it's a dangerous assignment. These guys work hard, and these cases aren't always easy to put together," Carey added. "Sometimes these investigations go on for months and it's not an orderly investigation either. You have to work at the whim of those involved in the drug trade." 

According to Carey, Turgeon is not only a great detective, he serves as a positive example for the rest of the force. "He comes into work every day excited and passionate about what he does." 

The awards are given in recognition of the individuals’ extraordinary commitment to justice and are presented in honor of the eight previous Attorneys General. The ceremony, which will be held in the third floor conference room at the Office of the Attorney General will be attended by former Attorneys General Roberts, Violet, O’Neil, Pine and Lynch, who will present the awards named in their honor. The wife and son of the late Attorney General Julius Michaelson, Rita and Jeffrey Michaelson, will present the award in General Michaelson’s honor.

The other individuals being honored are:

Elizabeth Kelleher Dwyer, Philip Sheridan and Robert Arrow of the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation will receive the General ArleneViolet Award for Consumer Protection. They were nominated by Paul McGreevy,Director of the Department of Business Regulation.

Captain Marc Boisvert of the Johnston Police Department will receive the General James O’Neil Award for Crime Prevention. Captain Boisvert was nominated by Chief Richard Tamburini, Johnston Police Department.

Eleanor “Candy” McSwain of Destiny House will receive the General Dennis Roberts Award for Domestic Violence Prevention. She was nominated by Rochelle Baker, Chairwoman, Destiny House.

James Perrier of Friends of the Waterfront, Inc. will receive the General Jeffrey Pine Award for Environmental Protection. He was nominated by Michael Rubin, Assistant Attorney General.

Detective Kenneth Court of the Providence Police Department will receive the General Sheldon Whitehouse Award for Law Enforcement (non-uniform category.) Detective Court was nominated by Commissioner Steven Pare and Acting Chief Hugh Clements, Providence Police Department.

Patrolman Christopher Perreault of the Warren Police Department will receive the General Julius Michaelson Award for Law Enforcement (uniform category.) He was nominated by Chief Peter Achilli and Deputy Chief Joseph Loiselle, Warren Police Department.

Karyn Hadfield of Day One will receive the General Richard Israel Award for Senior Protection. She was nominated by Linnea Tuttle, Director, Elder Care Services.

Magistrate Alan Goulart of the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal was selected by former Attorney General Patrick Lynch to receive a special Justice Award. Previously a member of the Office of Attorney General staff, Goulart will be recognized for his dedication and commitment.