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Commendations January 16, 2006 - Personnel Order #2006-1 Detective Lieutenant Myles Murphy On October 12, 2005, Officer Joseph King, Officer Thomas Ferris, Detective Patrick Mahoney and Detective Lieutenant Myles Murphy responded to a robbery report which had occurred thirty minutes prior at the Brookline Village MBTA stop. The victim, a 17 year-old Brookline High School student, reported that he and a friend were at the T stop when they were approached by two black males, one of them they recognized as "Elroy" from the High School. These two suspects grabbed the victim and demanded his wallet, indicating that they had a gun. Detective Mahoney was familiar with a student named Elroy from Brookline High who was on the Curfew Program through Brookline Court. With the assistance of E911 Dispatch Supervisor David Connelly, they were able to identify a Elroy Lewis who resides on Egmont Street and matched the age, race and height of the suspect. Detective Lieutenant Murphy, Detective Mahoney and Officer Ferris went to Lewis' house and spoke with him. During the interview, Lewis admitted to being at the Village T stop "messing with a kid." Lewis further admitted that he had asked for the victim's wallet and pretended that he had a gun. He also stated that he was with his cousin, Ali, who was inside the apartment. At this time, Lewis asked to go to his room to get this sneakers and a jacket and Officer Ferris and Detective Mahoney escorted him to his bedroom where they observed a strong smell of marijuana. Detective Mahoney questioned Lewis about the odor and Lewis produced a bag of marijuana. Detective Mahoney observed some clear plastic baggies which were empty and questioned Lewis further about having any additional marijuana in the room. Lewis indicated that there was more marijuana under the nightstand. Officer Ferris located two large clear baggies containing eleven smaller baggies with marijuana. The marijuana was packaged in a manner consistent with sale and distribution and was seized. At this time, the second suspect, Ali Lindo, exited the bathroom and was questioned. He initially denied being at the Village T stop but then admitted to being there and also to smoking marijuana with Lewis earlier. Both Lewis and Lindo were brought outside into the courtyard and Officer King brought the victim by and he was able to positively identify both as the suspected that robbed him. Both suspects were placed under arrest and charged with armed robbery, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute in a school zone and trespassing. For their thorough and speedy investigative work, knowledge of youth in the Brookline who have been court-involved, and questioning skills which led to the additional drug distribution charges, Lieutenant Detective Myles Murphy, Detective Patrick Mahoney, Officer Joseph King, Officer Thomas Ferris, and E911 Dispatch Supervisor David Connelly are commended. The efforts of these men resulted in the suspects being arrested within an hour of the crime being reported and two dangerous suspects were taken off the street, putting the victims and their families at ease. Patrol Officer Joseph King On October 17, 2005 at 2124hrs, Officer Thomas Ferris and Officer Joseph King responded to a report of suspicious activity in the area of Brookline Ave and Aspinwall Ave, an area which had been seeing a high number of car breaks. The caller had reported seeing a black male, 6'0 tall, wearing a black leather jacket and hat looking into motor vehicles with a flashlight. Near River Road, Officer Ferris observed a man fitting the description coming out of the wooded area along the Muddy River. At this time, they stopped the subject, identified as Jose Colon. During a pat frisk of Colon, they found screwdrivers, a Leatherman tool, a lighter and a flashlight. Detective Mahoney recognized Colon from a Department flyer showing two teardrop tattoos below his left eye. Detective Mahoney questioned Colon and he admitted to looking into the parked cars with the intention of breaking into them and stealing the stereo equipment. He stated that he uses the screwdriver to break the window and the Leatherman pliers to cut the stereo wires. Colon also admitted to committing four car breaks in this area previously. Colon, who has an extensive criminal history, was arrested for possession of burglarious tools and attempts to commit a crime. For their alertness and observation skills, as well as, strong interview techniques leading to a confession and the resolution of additional crimes, Officer Joseph King, Officer Thomas Ferris and Detective Patrick Mahoney are commended. Their efforts in this case led to the arrest of a career criminal and clearance of multiple cases. Detective Sergeant Richard Allen On October 21, 2005 at 1922hrs, Sergeant Richard Allen and Officer David Wagner, who was assigned to the Anti-Crime Unit, were conducting surveillance in the parking lot at the shops at Putterham Circle regarding possible drug dealing at this location. A confidential informant had reported that they had observed drug transactions in the rear parking lot for the last several weeks between 6-8pm. While on surveillance, they observed a drug transaction take place and when Sergeant Allen identified himself to the buyer, the buyer fled, trying to swallow the glassine baggie with cocaine that he had just purchased. When Sergeant Allen stopped the suspect, he coughed the bag up. At this time, Officer Wagner identified himself to the seller, who was sitting in his vehicle. The seller tried to put his vehicle in drive and flee and Officer Wagner was able to open the door and remove him from the vehicle. Inside the suspect's car, they found $3,685. Both suspects were placed under arrest and the motor vehicle was towed to the station where a State Police canine unit conducted a search of the vehicle. The dog got a hit in the rear passenger seat area and a substantial amount of packaged cocaine and other drugs were recovered from a hidden compartment from under the seat. The weight of these packages was approximately 50 grams. Cutting agents and other items used in the distribution of cocaine were also found in the car. The suspects were charged with trafficking cocaine, possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine, school zone violation, and conspiracy to violate the drug laws. This was a dangerous arrest scene during which the officers disregarded their own safety and pursued a drug dealer. The tactical abilities and professionalism of both officers led to a safe resolution and apprehension of a serious offender. Their investigative follow-through and knowledge of narcotics investigations led to the discovery of a hidden compartment in the vehicle containing drugs, cutting agents and distribution tools. Both Sergeant Richard Allen and Officer David Wagner are commended for their actions in this case. Sergeant Paul Kelliher On October 26, 2005, at 1322hrs, while off-duty, Sergeant Kelliher observed a man in the Main Library at 361 Washington Street acting suspiciously. Sgt. Kelliher knew this individual, identified as Joel Taylor, from a previous theft arrest. Taylor was observed walking aimlessly in the library and looking at the personal belongings of people in the library. Sergeant Kelliher conducted surveillance of Taylor and observed him take an unattended bag. Sergeant Kelliher followed him out of the library and with the assistance of additional units, Taylor was placed under arrest. Due to Sergeant Kelliher's dedication to service and knowledge of criminal behavior and tactics, this criminal was caught and apprehended in the act. Sergeant Paul Kelliher is commended for his professionalism and service in this case. E911 Dispatcher Aria Wright On November 2, 2005 at 2105hrs, a 911 call was received by Dispatcher Aria Wright reporting that a 2 year old baby was having convulsions. Dispatcher Wright entered the call and quickly began giving emergency medical pre-arrival instructions to the caller. The caller, who was the baby's mother, became hysterical when the baby stopped breathing and began turning blue. Dispatcher Wright took control of the call, calmed the mother, and instructed her to perform CPR on the baby. Dispatcher Wright continued to provide life-saving instruction to the mother for nearly five minutes, walking her step by step through the actions necessary to save her child. Success was evident when the baby could be heard crying. Responding units arrived and the baby was transported to the Children's Hospital. For her truly extraordinary performance on this call, which saved the life of this young child, Dispatcher Aria Wright is commended. Sergeant Paul Kelliher On November 24, 2005 at 0030hrs, Sergeant Paul Kelliher heard a radio transmission from the Boston Police regarding an incident involving a gray car that was last seen driving into Brookline on Harvard Street. Boston Police reported that the occupant of the car had a gun. As both Sergeant Kelliher and Officers Stephen Yee and Daniel Yanez, assigned to the 554 Unit, approached the traffic lights at Boylston Street and Brookline Avenue, Sergeant Kelliher noticed a gray VW in the far travel lane of Boylston Street with a matching plate to the one wanted by Boston. He notified dispatch that he had located the wanted motor vehicle and radioed to Officers Yee and Yanez that the car was to the right of their cruiser. When the light changed, Officers Yee and Yanez activated their cruiser lights and the VW changed direction, driving onto the ramp leading to the Jamaica Way. Sergeant Kelliher pulled behind the wanted vehicle and activated his lights. During this time, there was a second car that appeared to be with this car which had followed them up onto the Jamaica Way. They proceeded southbound and after a short distance, the VW came to a stop and Sergeant Kelliher, Officer Yee and Officer Yanez tactically removed the operator from the motor vehicle. Officer Yanez conducted a protective sweep of the car and found a Tazer gun. At this time, additional Brookline units along with Boston Police and State Police units arrived on scene. A Boston Police Sergeant arrived and reported that this individual and three other men were involved in an assault which took place over a car that had been repossessed and that they had gone to the tow yard in Brighton to threaten the workers with a handgun. While waiting for the victims to be brought to the scene of the stop, three male subjects pulled up in the other car and approached the officers. Boston Police questioned these individuals and determined that they were also present during the assault in Brighton. The two employees from the tow yard arrived at the scene and both victims separately identified all four individuals as being involved in the assault. The driver of the VW had used the Tazer on one of the employees while another one of the suspects pointed a handgun at another employee. All four individuals were placed under arrest by the Boston Police. The alert actions of these three officers led to the safe removal of armed and dangerous felons from the street. From stopping the vehicle to approaching and removing an armed suspect, the tactical actions employed by these officers led to the safe resolution of a dangerous situation. Sergeant Paul Kelliher, Officer Stephen Yee and Officer Daniel Yanez are commended for their actions in this situation. Patrol Officer David Wagner During the early part of 2005, some residents of the Beacon Street/St. Mary Street area voiced concerns about activities occurring in their neighborhood. A well-attended neighborhood meeting was held at the Public Safety Headquarters and Officer David Wagner, who is assigned to this area, played a prominent role in the meeting. During the meeting, it was clear that Officer Wagner was very familiar with what was happening on his beat. He spoke about several specific incidents which had occurred in the neighborhood and reported his findings to the residents. He was extremely knowledgeable, well-informed, and assuring to those present that he was an officer who cared about his responsibilities and took them seriously. It was evident that Officer Wagner took pride and ownership in the area he is assigned to patrol and that he was aware who lived, visited and worked there. Officer Wagner combined his professionalism, knowledge and problem-solving abilities to address the needs of this neighborhood and, in turn, has provided a high quality of police service to the residents. His efforts are not only an example of good, solid police work, but also exemplify the true meaning of community policing. Officer David Wagner is commended for his proactive policing style and community-oriented approach to problem solving. Detective Cheryl Molloy Throughout the summer and fall of 2005, Detective Cheryl Molloy conducted an investigation regarding a 92-year-old man who was scammed out of $170,000. Detective Molloy was first introduced to the case by Sue Welpton, Elder Affairs Social Worker for Brookline Senior Center, in July 2005. Detective Molloy has established a relationship with Ms. Welpton through community programs and other elder scam and abuse cases. Detective Molloy met with Ms. Welpton and the victim and learned that he had been conned out of this money by two women who befriended him in October 2004. The two women pretended that they knew the victim from a recent trip to the hospital. They also told him that one of them was very sick and that they needed money for a liver transplant. They presented him with a contract outlining a payback plan, drawn up by a make believe lawyer. In late October, the victim closed several CD accounts and gave the women a check. The check was cashed a month later in Florida. When the case was brought to her in July, Detective Molloy began a thorough and lengthy investigation which revealed that the suspects are part of an organized group of career criminals who have preyed on elderly victims across the country and that they were responsible for more than $2.1M in similar scams on the elderly in Florida. Detective Molloy worked with the Norfolk County District Attorney's Office, the Massachusetts State Police and authorities in Florida throughout the investigation. Due to the diligent investigation performed by Detective Molloy, three suspects have been identified and indicted by the Norfolk County Grand Jury for the theft of $170,000. These types of crimes are extremely difficult to investigate because they target the elderly and the suspects are highly transient. During the investigation, Detective Molloy worked closely and compassionately with the elderly victim and his family, as well as, coordinating a lengthy and complex multi-jurisdictional investigation. Detective Cheryl Molloy is commended for her extraordinary work throughout this investigation. Domestic Violence Advocate Doreen Gallagher Doreen Gallagher has worked as the Domestic Violence Advocate for the Brookline Police Department since December 1998, during which time she has worked diligently each day to protect and serve domestic violence victims and their children. She has devoted her time to building relationships within the community and with outside agencies and her work day in and day out goes beyond professional. She is compassionate and empathetic to the many victims and children she works with. Ms. Gallagher has a tremendous ability to ask victims the right questions and help them realize for themselves that they might be in danger and that the Brookline Police can help protect them. She works tirelessly, both off and on duty, to ensure that each victim receives the level of support they need. Ms. Gallagher's work extends far beyond just providing services for victims. She provides training and support for the Brookline Schools and has been instrumental in training Brookline police officers to recognize and respond to domestic violence issues. She works with Brookline youth to reduce at-risk and delinquent behavior and has been instrumental in starting up programs in conjunction with the Brookline Municipal Court to reduce violent, aggressive behavior among teens. She has also been an integral member of the Domestic Violence Roundtable. For her many years of tireless and compassionate service to the Police Department and victims and children of our community, Domestic Violence Advocate Doreen Gallagher is commended. The above are examples of the excellent police work that was conducted over the last several months by the men and women of the Brookline Police Department. These public safety employees are to be applauded for their efforts in keeping Brookline a safe place to live, work and visit. Daniel C. O'Leary
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