SPRINGFIELD - More than 100 members of the Springfield Police Department were honored tonight for their heroism, service and dedication to the city.

In a ceremony before hundreds of friends and family in the Central High School auditorium, individual police officers were called on stage, presented with commendations and thanked for their outstanding performance at an often thankless job.

"Many times we take for granted what dangerous jobs you have," said Mayor Domenic J. Sarno. "It's appropriate to say thanks, and thanks to your families for what you do for the City of Springfield."

Interim Police Commissioner William M. Fitchet said the officers are examples "of everyday heroes in our community."

The ceremony, once an annual occurrence, was conducted for the first time in four years.

Then-Police Chief Paula C. Meara canceled the last one, planned for Dec. 8, 2004, because members of the patrol officers and supervisors unions announced they would not attend in protest of a contract impasse. Both unions have since settled with the city.

The members of the Detective Bureau's homicide unit were recognized en masse.

Led onto the stage by Capt. Robert T. McFarlin, Lt. Thomas P. Kennedy, and Sgts. Kevin P. Devine, Thomas M. Meleady and Mark J. Rolland, the unit was celebrated for its work in closing 86 percent of all homicide investigations since 2006.

"An 86 percent clearance rate is remarkable," Fitchet said. "It's far above our peer cities in New England."

McFarlin was the highest ranking member of the force honored. Commendations were also given to seven lieutenants and 10 sergeants, but by and large the ceremony was dedicated to the rank and file with 95 patrol officers recognized.

The ceremony also gave certificates of recognition to the 16 members of the state police unit that have aided in patrols of the city since 2005.

The largest ovation of the night came for officers David Askins, Sean Condon, Edward Ebberston, Dennis Hacket and James Mazza; Massachusetts State Police Sgt. Michael P. Sullivan; troopers Kevin A. O'Toole, Carlos Rivera Jr. and Nelson Zayas, and U.S. Marshal Michael Nelson.

They were involved in the March 13 arrest attempt at 126 Malden St. that turned into a shoot-out when 28-year-old Aaron Brevoort opened fire on police.

Askins was shot in the thigh by Brevoort, who was shot and killed at the scene.

Officers Misael Rodriguez and David Martin were recognized for rushing a 13-year-old baby who stopped breathing to the hospital in their squad car in October.

Sgt. Paul Browne and officers Thomas Michel and Clayton Roberson were celebrated for saving the life of a child who had been critically mauled in a lawn mower accident in June 2006.

Springfield Police Commendations

Capt. Robert T. McFarlin

Lt. Cheryl C. Clapprood
Lt. Edward Geier
Lt. Thomas P. Kennedy
Lt. John Lynch
Lt. John Slepchuk
Lt. Robert Strzempek
Lt. Thomas Trites.

Sgt. Paul Browne
Sgt. John M. Delaney
Sgt. Kevin P. Devine
Sgt. Trent Duda
Sgt. Thomas M. Meleady
Sgt. John Michal
Sgt. Kenneth Olson
Sgt. Michael Perry
Sgt. Mark J. Roland
Sgt. Michael Sullivan

Patrol Officers
Kevin Ambrose
David Arroyo
David Askins
Carmen Ayala
Mark Bacon
Gregg Bigda
Kimberly Brantley
Daniel Brunton
Gregroy Caputo
Ryan Carter
Aristides Casillas
Edward Cass
Sean Collins
Sean Condon
Mark Crutchfield
Arthur D'Ambrosia
Willie Daniels
Eugene J. Dean
Randy DeGray
Jose Diaz
Pablo Diaz
Edward Ebberston
Darren Edwards
Arthur Efantis
Juan R. Estrada
Pablo Feliciano
Vincent Finn
Eric Ganley
Richard Gendreau
James D. Goldrick
James Gormally
Steven Grande
Dennis Hackett
James Jackson
Richard Jarvis
William Kelly
John Kent
Steven Kent
Michael P. Kervick
Kevin Lee
Matthew Lee
Luz E. Lizarribar
Allen R. Mackler
Jose Maldonado
Robert Mariani
Michael Martel
David Martin
Roberto Matos
James Mazza
Kevin McCaffrey
Gregory McCain
Clifton Medeiros
Mark Mehringer
Pedro Mendez
Thomas Michel
Reginald Miller
Joseph Moran
James Moriarty
Daniel Murdock
Lawrence Murphy
Timothy O'Shea
Robert Patruno
Angel Perez
Jefferson Petrie
Joseph Piemonte
Anthony Piogga III
Lee W. Prentice
Mark Provost
Daniel J. Reigner
John R. Reigner
Herminio Rivas
Clayton Roberson
Misael Rodriguez
Eugene Rooke
Richard Ryder
Alejandro Sanchez
Thomas Scanlon
Maria Siciliano
Edward F. Sierra
Pedro Soler
Richard Soto
David Starr
Joel B. Stern
Steven C. Tatro
Mark Templeman
Carmelo Toledo
Julio Toledo
Richard Tosoni
Richard Trombley
Theodore Truoiolo
Ricardo Viruet
Devon Williams
Lannox Williams

U.S. Marshal Michael Nelson

Massachusetts State Police

Trooper Jeffrey Cahill
Trooper Juan Colon
Trooper Liam Jones
Trooper Kevin O'Toole
Trooper Carlos Rivera
Trooper Nelson Zayas

Civilian Commendations
Randy DeGray
Michael Martel

Certificates of Recognition

Massachusetts State Police Community Action Team

Lt. Thomas J. Daly
Sgt. Edward E. Hatten
Sgt. Chester S. Warawka
Trooper Sean C. Barry
Trooper Stephen J. Burgess
Trooper Brian F. Clapprood
Trooper Matthew J. Donah
Trooper John T. Driscoll
Trooper David Gallant
Trooper Stephen J. Gregorczyk
Trooper William R. McMillan
Trooper Marc J. Reidy
Trooper Luis A. Rodriguez
Trooper Gregory R. Spahl
Trooper Michael Trombley