Chief Commends Quick-Thinking Police Work

Police Chief Kevin Molis sent out the following commendations for excellent police work last month.

These groups and individuals were honored during the department's daily roll call, and received letters of commendation in their records:

Platoon C and Drug Unit: 

On May 17, a call was received about a missing ten-year-old girl from the Maplewood section of Malden. 

Sgt. Joseph Connelly organized a grid search of the neighborhood with all available units, including police dogs.

Officer Gary Hennessey responded to the missing child's school to gather information from classmates and teachers. 
Several members of the drug unit also assisted in the search, Molis said. 

Ultimately, a witness contacted the department to report they saw the missing girl on Lebanon Street in Melrose - about 2.5 miles away from her home where she was last seen. 

Sgt. Rich Correale arrived at the scene to find a girl matching the description, and was able to reunite the child with her family. She was unharmed in the incident. 

Sgt. Michael Giordano and Platoon A

On May 18, police received a call reporting an attempted armed robbery at the Century Bank on 140 Ferry St. 

A female victim reported that a man had followed her into the bank's lobby, told her she was "being held up" and pushed her aside to withdraw money from her account. 

As bystanders came to her aid, the suspect fled on foot, dropping the screwdriver along the way. 

Sgt. Michael Giordano requested police dogs and established a perimeter to contain the suspect. After checking a back porch at a home on Holyoke Street, officers encountered a shirtless man who matched the description of the suspect. 

"For safety reasons, he was handcuffed and brought out to the driveway" for an identification by the witness, who confirmed the suspect's identity, Molis said. 
The following officers were honored for their work on the chase:

• Officer Steven Mulcahy
• Officer Phillip Halloran
• Officer Keith Wilson
• Officer Jesus Montoya
• Officer Kevin Co
• Cadet Michael Dercolo
• Officer Christopher Griffiths
• Sergeant Michael Giordano
• Officer Jeffrey Drees
• Lieutenant George Grimes
• Officer Robert Selfridge
• Officer John Lanni

Off. Robert Selfridge

On May 20, an off-duty Officer Robert Selfridge sprung into action after hearing a loud altercation that included a threat to kill. 

Arriving at the scene, Selfridge saw a man shouting death threats at the driver of another car. When he identified himself as a police officer, the suspect allegedly swore and threatened Selfridge before running to his vehicle. 

The suspect then reportedly fled at a high rate of speed, prompting all available units in the area to search for the vehicle. 

Thanks to information from Selfridge and other witnesses, investigators were able to trace the vehicle to a registration in Woburn. 

It was later determined the man had threatened his victim with a knife. 

"If not for the selfless actions of this officer, this incident of roage rage could have had tragic consequences," Molis said. 

Selfridge received a commendation letter in his personnel file, as well as a day off with pay.