The New England Association of Chiefs of Police is proud to participate in honoring these brave law enforcement officers. The 2014 Medal of Valor is awarded to:
Officer Stephen Arkell of the Brentwood, NH Police Department
Nomination submitted by Chief Wayne Robinson of the Brentwood Police Department
On April 12, 2014 while responding to a Domestic Violence call, Officer Arkell met with the victim (the assailant’s father) outside of a residence in the Town of Brentwood, NH. After speaking with and securing the father, Officer Arkell made entry into the residence.
He was immediately met with gunfire and was fatally wounded. The assailant later died when the house exploded and went up in flames. Officer Arkell is survived by a wife and two daughters. For Officer Arkell’s total disregard for his own safety and his desire to carry out his duties and responsibilities in accordance with the Law Enforcement Officer’s Code of Ethics, he is posthumously awarded the New England Association of Chiefs of Police Medal of Valor.
Sergeant Eugene Duplissis & Trooper Matthew Daley
of the Vermont State Police Department
Nomination submitted by Colonel Thomas L’Esperance of the Vermont State Police
On April 6, 2014 at approximately 3:00 am, police responded to a possible home invasion in Leicester, Vermont. Sgt. Eugene Duplissis and Trooper Matthew Daley were among the officers who responded to the call. It was determined that the victim of the home invasion was severely wounded and that shooter was located in a residence across the street. A perimeter was established around the alleged shooter’s residence. Trooper Daley, who had taken a position of cover behind a tree, was shot and struck in the head by pellets from a shotgun. Sgt. Duplissis evaluated Trooper Daley’s wounds and formulated an evacuation plan.
At great risk to himself, Sgt. Duplissis approached the window where the shots came from and deployed a flash bang device and provide cover fire with a rifle so that Trooper Daley could make his escape. While doing so, Sgt. Duplissis also received head wounds from pellets from a shotgun. Both Sgt. Duplissis and Trooper Daley were brought to a medical center for treatment of their wounds. The suspect eventually surrendered and was charged with two counts of Attempted Murder and two counts of Attempted Aggravated Murder.
For their actions and disregard for the personnel safety to apprehend a violent offender, Sgt. Duplissis and Trooper Daley are awarded the New England Association of Chiefs of Police Medal of Valor.
Lieutenant Brad Scully of the Woonsocket, Rhode Island Police Department
Nomination submitted by Chief Thomas S. Carey of the Woonsockett Police Department
On February 10, 2014, Woonsocket police responded to Landmark Medical Center for a complaint of a despondent male located on hospital grounds. When officers arrived, they located the male in his pick-up truck holding a rifle to his forehead. After two hours of negotiation, the suspect indicated he was going to step out of the vehicle. Lt. Scully, who was the team leader of an apprehension team, deployed a distraction device causing some disorientation, but the suspect was still able to raise his weapon to his head. At that time Lt. Scully was able to grab the weapon as the suspect pulled the trigger and the round missed it’s intended target. The suspect was tased and taken into custody. For his actions and disregard for his personal safety, Lt. Scully is awarded the New England Association of Chiefs of Police Medal of Valor.
