'Manny' Familia, 4 fellow Worcester officers honored for bravery
WORCESTER — Officer Enmanuel “Manny” Familia was honored posthumously along with four fellow Worcester police officers and a state trooper with the George L. Hanna Medal of Honor for their “bravery, heroism and overriding concern for others” that they displayed on the tragic day of June 4, 2021.
At the 39th annual Trooper George L. Hanna Memorial Awards for Bravery at Mechanics Hall, Massachusetts Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy recapped how Worcester police officers responded to Green Hill Pond for three teenagers in distress in the water.
After two of the swimmers were safely on land, Officer Familia made repeated attempts to locate and rescue the third swimmer underwater.
“When he did not resurface, officers Steven Barnett, Angela Consiglio, Devin Davenport and Trooper Amy M. Waterman immediately expanded their search-and-rescue operation for both the young man, as well as Officer Familia,” Reidy said. “Despite officers displaying the utmost bravery, heroism and overriding concern for others, Officer Familia and the young man did not survive.”
Reidy talked about Familia’s legacy of “character, courage and a heart of service,” and honored the Familia family and other families whose have lost a loved one who, as police officers, sacrificed their lives for the safety and well-being of others.
“The stories of today’s Hanna Award recipients illustrate the extraordinary bravery required in this profession,” Reidy said. “As we honor these men and women today, we also express our gratitude to their loved ones who know too well the absence of their loved one at the dinner table, on a holiday or at a school event, the families who endure the weight of uncertainty until he or she returns home safely from a shift.”
Worcester paramedics Mike Laporte and John Bain, Lt. Joe Kuchinski and Capt. Deanne Chase; fire Lts. John Franco, Matt Johnson and Eric Rogacz; and firefighters Kyle Peterson and Phil Dorety were also recognized as part of the dive team on June 4, 2021, and then working on Familia until he reached the hospital.
Familia’s widow, parents and brother were all in the audience and accepted Manny’s award.
“The stories of today’s Hanna Award recipients illustrate the extraordinary bravery required in this profession. As we honor these men and women today, we also express our gratitude to their loved ones who know too well the absence of their loved one at the dinner table, on a holiday or at a school event, the families who endure the weight of uncertainty until he or she returns home safely from a shift.
Massachusetts Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy
Brockton police officers Otis and Perez
While Brockton police officers Robert T. Otis and Christopher D. Perez were about to render aid to a person in a car who had been shot on the evening of Oct. 7, 2021, a shooter started firing at them from a second-floor window. Despite being struck with two bullets, Otis assumed position next to a police car and returned fire. Perez helped pull Otis through the passenger door of the vehicle where both officers took cover. With Otis secure and en route to a hospital, Perez remained on scene to continue emergency response. Otis and Perez were awarded the George L. Hanna Medal of Valor.
Braintree police officers and police dog
On the afternoon of June 4, 2021, Braintree police officers Matthew Donoghue, Richard Seibert and William Cushing and police dog Kitt began to search for a domestic abuse suspect who allegedly choked and held a gun to the head of his girlfriend. Hiding behind a rock, the suspect opened fire and an intense gun battle ensued with approximately 50 rounds exchanged. Kitt was killed. Despite both being hit, Donoghue and Cushing continued to engage the suspect along with Seibert, whose swift application of a tourniquet saved Cushing’s life in the aftermath of the attack, Reidy said.
Cushing, Donoghue and Seibert were awarded the George L. Hanna Medal of Honor.
Also receiving the Medal of Honor were: Boston police officers Paul Michael Bertocchi, Brendan Bosse, Brian Carlson, Christopher Carr, Nicolas Cubarney, Sean Francis, Otis Harewood, Bruce Hicks, Zachary MacInnis, Max McGuire, Derek Marcoaldi, Frank Nogueira, Jamie Pietroski and Peter Zographos; Boston SWAT team members Sgts. John D. Conway, Ian Mahoney, Joel McCarthy and Michael Ridge; Wakefield police detectives Christopher J. Grace and John E. Ryan; and Winthrop police Sgt. Nicholas C. Bettano.
Retired Trooper David Green honored posthumously
In addition to the medals of honor and valor, the selection committee reviewed a special event for which they recognized a 34-year veteran of the Massachusetts State Police, retired Trooper David L. Green, posthumously.
On June 26, 2021, Green heard a large truck crash near his home in the town of Winthrop. Green left his home to render aid. Unarmed, he confronted an armed man. During the confrontation, the suspect fatally shot Green.
"Although actions outside of formal duty as a retired law enforcement officer do not meet the Hanna Award criteria,” Reidy said, “the committee unanimously agreed that David Green epitomized exceptional bravery and disregard for his safety in the face of grave danger.”
The Hanna Awards honor the memory of Massachusetts State Police Trooper George Hanna, killed in the line of duty in 1983, and recognize members of law enforcement for exemplary acts of bravery.
On Saturday, Feb. 26, 1983, Hanna conducted a motor vehicle stop in Auburn. Three men and two women were in the vehicle, and when Hanna removed the occupants for questioning, he was shot six times by one of the male suspects. Hanna died later that evening in a Worcester hospital.
Hanna’s two daughters, Deborah and Kimberly, presented each award alongside Gov. Charlie Baker.
“There is extraordinary bravery across all of the commonwealth’s police departments, and the Hanna Awards offer us an opportunity to honor the courageous men and women who protect and serve, ” Baker said. “Like Trooper George Hanna, the dedicated women and men in law enforcement perform exceptional work guided by their deeply rooted commitment to helping others, no matter the risk to themselves.”
“Members of our law enforcement community have demonstrated their extraordinary capacity to adapt and evolve to meet the public safety challenges of our time,” Lt. Gov. Karyn E. Polito said. “Today’s Hanna Awards remind us that in the most challenging and dangerous situations, police officers embrace the needs of our communities, continually renew their training and place their skilled expertise at the service of all.”
Since 1983, 145 individuals have received the Hanna Award Medal of Honor, the highest honor the commonwealth bestows on a law enforcement officer.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester police including Enmanuel 'Manny' Familia earn Hanna Medal
