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Commendations January 16, 2003 - Special Order #2003-01 DETECTIVE MARIE DONOVAN In early June 2002, a report was received of a man approaching a mother at the Driscoll Playground and asking her if he could have sexual relations with her 10-year-old son. Detective Donovan had received information from the Newton Police regarding a similar suspect in their community. Through outreach to the Newton PD, Detective Donovan was able to ascertain the identity of the suspect, Vadim Burkovskiy. Burkovskiy, who admitted to having sexual relations with young boys, was picked up the same day. Through the partnerships Detective Donovan has developed with the schools, social workers, parents and other police departments, the victim came forward, the suspect was identified, the schools were kept informed and on alert, and this pedophile was removed from the street. Detective Donovan is to be commended to for her commitment to building partnerships with the community, local agencies and outside organizations. DETECTIVE LIEUTENANT MARK MORGAN On Thursday, June 20th, the Town of Brookline had its first homicide in several years. The call that a person was shot on Walnut Street was dispatched and Lieutenant Morgan and Detective Mahoney arrived on scene within a minute. Upon finding the victim, Perry Hughes, with a wound to his chest, Detective Mahoney (along with Officer Kilgallon) began to administer first aid, while Lieutenant Morgan spoke with witnesses and put a description out to responding units. Lieutenant Morgan quickly took command of the situation and coordinated crime scene control, the search for suspects, interviews of witnesses, securing of evidence, and ensured the appropriate notifications to Department personnel and State agencies. Both Lieutenant Morgan and Detective Mahoney aggressively worked this case from start to finish - from initial response to directing the crime scene to conducting a multi-jurisdictional investigation that resulted in the quick arrest of the suspect, Antonio Fernandez. Both are to be commended for their exemplary work on this case. PATROL OFFICER JOHN L. SULLIVAN On June 6, 2002 at 0059hrs, a resident of Goddard Avenue reported that their house had just been broken into. A description of the suspect was broadcast and units responded to the area. Meanwhile, off-duty Officer John L. Sullivan observed a suspicious person in the area of Allendale Road and, in true dedication to duty, relayed this information to area units. The suspicious man was stopped and positively identified as the suspect in the housebreak on Goddard Avenue. The suspect, Roger Craig Allen, was subsequently arrested and charges with B & E in the night, larceny from a building, possession of class B drug (cocaine) and knowingly receiving stolen property. Officer John L. Sullivan is to be commended for his keen observation skills and high level of commitment to duty. SERGEANT MYLES MURPHY On July 21, 2002 at 0105hrs, Officer John Patrick Sullivan was dispatched to Dudley Road for a report of stolen items. The resident, a youth, reported that his parents were out of town and he hosted party that evening which got out of control. The youth suspected that two subjects, Christopher Buechl and Patrick Keefe, might be responsible for the stolen items, which included an autographed Mickey Mantle baseball, approximately 250 CDs, an autographed Sergei Fedorov hockey jersey, a television, 20-30 bottles of wine, a Burberry bag and a wallet with $200.00. Officer John Patrick Sullivan and Sgt. Myles Murphy undertook an investigation which included interviewing multiple suspects and witnesses at various locations. As a result of their quick and thorough follow-up, the stolen items were recovered and the two culprits were arrested. Sergeant Myles Murphy and Officer John Patrick Sullivan are to be commended for their diligence and persistence in this case. PATROL OFFICER STEVEN WEINSTEIN On July 29, 2002 at 9:50 p.m., units were dispatched to an armed robbery that had just occurred in the area of the Beacon Street Star Market. While walking on Beacon Street, three young men were approached by three males and asked if they wanted to buy cocaine. When the victims indicated that they were not interested, the suspects began to push them around. Then, one suspect pulled out a handgun, pointed it at the victims and demanded their wallets and money. The suspect descriptions and direction of flight were relayed to responding units. Officer Steven Weinstein quickly located the three suspects on Beaconsfield Road and ordered them to the ground. Two of the suspects complied, while the third fled towards Regent Circle. Officer Weinstein articulated his location and the description of the fleeing subject. Additional units arrived on scene, assisted in securing the two subjects, and chased after the third subject, who was apprehended approximately 100 yards into the foot pursuit. Officer Cheryl Kilgallon, while pursuing the suspect on foot, took notice of a black air gun and a black sweatshirt that the suspect attempted to dispose of during the chase. These recovered items were essential evidence in the case. For their quick response and keen sense of observation during this event, Officers Weinstein and Kilgallon are to be commended. PATROL OFFICER JOHN DONOVAN On August 22, 2002 at 1110hrs, units were dispatched to 1811 Beacon Street for a report of two men kicking another behind the building. At this time, off-duty Officer John Donovan heard the broadcast and responded to the location, arriving just prior to patrol units. Upon arrival, Officer Donovan and Officer Davis observed the two suspects exiting the alleyway where the assault was reported. The suspects were apprehended and later placed under arrest for assault and battery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, malicious destruction of property and armed robbery. Officer Donovan's quick response displayed his commitment to protecting the public and ensuring backup for fellow officers. Officer John Donovan is to be commended for activating himself to duty and aiding in the apprehension of two violent offenders. PATROL OFFICER JOHN INGRAM On August 25, 2002 at 1550hrs, off-duty Officer John Ingram observed two local youths smoking what he believed, through his training and experience, to be marijuana at the bus stop at Walnut and High Streets. Officer Ingram first observed the youths removing the tobacco from a cigar and then putting marijuana into it, making what is referred to on the street as a "blunt". Officer Ingram called for the assistance of a marked unit and approached the youths, identified as Eric Gould and Jeff Blanchard, with his badge displayed. The youths, who were both on supervised probation, were placed under arrest. Officer Ingram, who activated himself to duty upon observing this known drug behavior, is to be commended for his commitment to enforcing the law and serving the public. PATROL OFFICER JEFFREY EMMERSO On September 5, 2002 at 0430hrs, Officer Jeffrey Emmerso conducted a stop of a vehicle he observed traveling at an excessively low rate of speed. After approaching the vehicle, Officer Emmerso recognized the operator, Jonathan Torres, from a case earlier in the summer. Torres had been arrested for driving a stolen moped. During the stop, Officer Emmerso observed a large amount electronic equipment in rear of the vehicle. This observation, in addition to his prior knowledge of Torres and inconsistent statements by Torres and his passenger Chamil Guadarrama, led Officer Emmerso to take the equipment into custody and conduct further investigation. Officer Emmerso was able to locate the owner of a laptop taken from Torres' car who reported that her car was broken into the week prior. At that point, Officer Emmerso sought a warrant for Torres and Guadarrama, both of whom were on probation with lengthy records for possession of burglarious tools, knowingly receiving stolen property and B & E's in the night. Torres was arrested the following day. From his initial observations during the stop through his application for an arrest warrant, Officer Emmerso is to be commended for his alertness and follow-through. SERGEANT THOMAS WARD On October 4, 2002 at 1:07 a.m., Sergeant Thomas Ward observed the interior light on inside a parked car at Ferris' gas station at 455 Harvard Street. Sergeant Ward further observed two subjects at the car. Upon seeing the sergeant, the subjects fled the area. Sergeant Ward gave out the descriptions of the suspects and the direction of flight for one who took off down Thorndike Street. Sergeant Ward checked the vehicle they had been in and found it running. He also found that the vehicle's ignition had been popped and the steering column compromised. While searching the area for the suspects, Sergeant Ward noticed a parked vehicle on Thorndike Street was running unattended. Inside the vehicle, he noticed a black gun on the backseat. Also recovered from the vehicle was a dent puller, a hacksaw, and a box of latex gloves, which matched a glove found next to the stolen vehicle. Two subjects, who were identified by Officer McDermott just up the street from the crime scene, were summonsed into court for their involvement in this case. Meanwhile, the subject that Sergeant Ward observed flee on foot, Omar Rodriguez, was arrested on scene after being spotted by Officers Disario and JP Sullivan. From his initial observations, to leading the platoon in the investigation, through to the arrest of the suspect, Sergeant Ward's sharp observation skills and attention to detail are an example of his solid leadership and skill as a police officer. Sergeant Ward is to be commended for his attention to duty in this case, as well as, for the direction he continually provides the officers under his command. DETECTIVE SERGEANT WILLIAM RILEY On October 15th at approximately 1:50 a.m. in the area of Rte. 9 and Lee Street, there was a shooting between the occupants of two vehicles, which left one victim with a gunshot wound to the hip. The investigation, undertaken by Detective Sergeant William Riley, Detective Thomas O'Leary and Detective Kenneth McHugh, revealed that two vehicles became involved in an altercation on Heath Street and then again on Rte. 9 at Lee Street. During the altercation, the rear passenger of one vehicle lowered his window and shot multiple times at the other vehicle, striking the victim, who was riding in the passenger seat, in the right hip. Following an extensive investigation by Detective Sergeant Riley, Detective O'Leary and Detective McHugh, it was determined that the incident was the result of a road rage altercation between the two vehicles. The three suspects responsible for the shooting were identified and apprehended through the extensive follow-up investigation. The suspects, Keon Barnes of Dorchester who was apprehended on 10/28 in Yonkers, NY, Asa Finley of Mattapan who was arrested on 10/25, and Jason Monteiro of Roslindale who was arrested on 10/18, were each charged with two counts of armed assault with intent to murder and illegal possession of a firearm. Due to the thorough follow-up investigation conducted by Detective Sergeant Riley, Detective O'Leary and Detective McHugh, three dangerous subjects have been removed from the street. They are to be commended for their commitment, thoroughness and perseverance in this investigation. WALK AND TALK OFFICER PETER MUISE In late October into early November, Walk and Talk Officers Peter Muise, Justin O'Kane and Carlos Velez conducted an investigation into drug activity in the area of 22 High Street. Officers Muise, O'Kane and Velez were made aware of problems in the area through the relationships they have developed with the residents at that housing development. These residents complained of kids making noise and smoking marijuana in the courtyard. These officers conducted surveillance of the area and undertook an investigation which resulted in 11 field interrogations, 2 protective custodies, 1 summons, 2 arrests for possession of class D with intent to distribute in a school zone, the confiscation of 18 baggies of marijuana, 1 arrest warrant for aggravated assault, conspiracy and disorderly, the issuance of 3 trespass orders, and the removal of 3 weapons from the street - a bb gun, brass knuckles, and a butterfly knife. In the true spirit of community policing, these officers established relationships with the community, listened to their concerns and worked to solve the problem - at the same time removing some dangerous weapons, drugs and youthful criminals from the street. Officers Peter Muise, Justin O'Kane and Carlos Velez are to be commended their efforts in building strong relationships and a sense of trust within the community, as well as, as their commitment to enforcing the law and protecting the public. PATROL OFFICER LLOYD DAVIS In December, the Police Department received a letter of appreciation from a woman who Officer Lloyd Davis assisted when her car broke down back in October 2002. This letter is one of the most heartfelt and sincere letters we have received. On October 19th, this woman was returning home from church when her car ran out of gas at the busy intersection of Route 9 and Washington Street. Officer Davis, who was working in the area on detail, immediately assisted the woman by directing her to safely wait on the sidewalk, calling a cruiser to help push her car off the road, and even going to the gas station to buy her gas (which he refused payment for). In the woman's words "He showed control and a sense of humor... he is an officer and a gentleman." For this display of respect for others, dedication to helping citizens and service to the community, Officer Davis is commended. PATROL OFFICER JACK KING On December 11, 2002 at 4:55 p.m., off-duty Officer Jack King reported that he was following a vehicle that had just been involved in a hit and run accident. The vehicle was traveling on Lagrange Street, headed out of town. Officer King relayed his location and marked units arrived to assist. The vehicle was stopped and Officer King was on scene to confirm that it was the vehicle he witnessed strike another vehicle. Displaying great dedication to duty, Officer Jack King was responsible for removing a dangerous, impaired driver from the street. He is commended for his ongoing commitment to public safety and traffic enforcement. PATROL OFFICER ANDREW LIPSON On December 12, 2002 at 10:35 p.m., Officer Lipson was on patrol in the area of Cypress and Boylston Street when he observed a male subject peering out of an alleyway at 370 Boylston Street. Officer Lipson, who circled back to investigate, saw the subject walk away from the area and then observed an additional two subjects exit the alleyway, ducking when they spotted the cruiser. As he approached the two subjects, Officer Lipson observed one of them throw a handful of jewelry to the ground and also noticed several plastic bags filled with valuables lined up along the alleyway. They were caught in the act. The three local youths, later identified as Brandon Ayala, Devin Porter and Jesse Rivera, had just broken into the One Love Consignment Shop at 141 Cypress Street and were trying to make off with a fur coat, a winter coat, a pair of jeans, a telephone, a telephone/answering machine combo, 27 compact disks and 55 various pieces of jewelry. The two suspects were interviewed at the scene and Officer Lipson was able to ascertain the identity of the third accomplice, who was found a short time later at his home on High Street. All three suspects were arrested and charged with breaking and entering in the night with the intent to commit a felony and larceny over $250. Due to Officer Lipson's attention to duty, alertness and proper follow-up, three local thieves were arrested and a large amount of valuables returned to the owner. Officer (now Detective) Lipson is to be commended for his work in this case. The above are examples of the excellent police work that has been done over the past several months by the men and women of the Brookline Police Department. These officers are to be commended for their efforts in keeping Brookline a safe place to live, work and visit. Daniel C. O'Leary
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