Springfield police officers honored for dedication to public safety
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – It was a proud night for the City of Springfield as its police officers were honored, taking center stage for their commitment to keeping the community safe.
These awards are for the bravery these officers displayed between October 2023 and January of this year.
In a time when being a police officer is more demanding than ever. Ceremonies like this one shed light on the daily sacrifices made by the men and women in blue.
The Springfield police department's awards ceremony, held at Springfield Technical Community College, saw dozens of officers step up to receive recognition for their quick thinking, courage, and commitment to the city.
Mayor Domenic Sarno told 22News, 'Policing is still and will always be an honorable profession, and I am very proud of the Springfield police department.' The awards highlighted officers' efforts to always go above and beyond for public safety. From life-saving interventions to answering the call when needed most.
'It's not just coming into work, grind, grin,d grind, and goody pays attention, and the only time you are recognized is when something bad happens,' says Springfield Police Superintendent Lawrence Akers. 'We have to recognize them when they do a good thing. We want the community to see the good things.'
For the officers who regularly step into the line of danger without hesitation, the night was both humbling and deeply meaningful.
Officer Tequila Taylor-Evans shared with 22News, 'I'm just super appreciative—it is a hard job…But something like this makes it so rewarding.' The Springfield Police Department says these moments of praise are vital for both the officers and the community–a reminder of the dedication to the badge.
Honors included a life-saving award as well as letters of recognition.
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WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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