Braintree Police Earn Commendations for Suicide Intervention, Chasing Down Burglar

Last month, Police Chief Russell Jenkins issued commendations for several Braintree officers based on their outstanding work in three different incidents this fall. Below are the officers' names and descriptions of what they did.

Assisting in Holbrook with Armed Man Threatening Residents

Jenkins praised the response of Braintree police Sgts. Michael Want and Phillip Yee, officers James Peters and Donald Delaney, and Holbrook police Sgt. William Keegan for subduing an armed suspect in Holbrook.

Upon arrival at the scene, the Braintree officers found "an extremely agitated individual armed with a knife and threatening nearby citizens while engaging in menacing and suicidal behavior," Jenkins wrote in a personnel order.

The man threatened himself and the officers and refused to surrender. Using lethal perimeter cover from the other officers, Sgt. Want shot the man with a round from his less-than-lethal shotgun, causing him to release the knife.

"Holbrook Sergeant William Keegan then closed the distance between he and the subject, striking his knife-holding hand with a service baton and minimizing the  individual's ability to regain control of the weapon," Jenkin said. "Seconds later the individual was  subdued and handcuffed."

All of the officers named were commended, and Sgt. Want and Sgt. Keegan were especially recognized.

Running Down a Suspect

Jenkins commended Officer James Mosesso for taking into custody a home break-in suspect on Oct. 24, 2012.

Searching with other officers for a suspect in the 300 block of Liberty Street, Mosesso stayed longer and eventually saw the man exit a driveway.

"As Officer Mosesso went to speak with the man, he ran off and a foot chase ensued," Jenkins wrote in a personnel order. "Officer Mosesso was able to catch the man on Sun Valley Drive and place him into custody after chasing him through backyards on Liberty Street and Lisle Street. Officers later discovered a break at 186 Liberty Street and  property taken from the house was recovered from the man that tied him to the crime."

The suspect may also be tied to additional housebreaks. Jenkins praised Mosesso for his "attention to duty, keen police instincts, physical fitness and professionalism."

Talking a Man Down From the Ledge

On Nov. 30, 2012, officers responded to a call of a 24-year-old depressed Quincy man standing at the edge of the third-story parking garage at the South Shore Plaza.

When he arrived with Officer Peter Gillis, Officer William Cushing, Jr. started to talk with the man, after plaza security had been unable to start a dialogue, Jenkins wrote in a personnel order.

"Officer Cushing continued to talk with the man, who repeatedly made statements that he Wanted to kill himself, that he couldn't take it anymore and that he was sad the officers were going to have to see him end his life," Jenkins said. "In a calm and controlled manner, Officer Cushing continued to speak with the  man and eventually convinced him to step down from the ledge to safety."

Jenkins commended Cushing for his actions, adding, "During the conversation, Officer Cushing was able to gain the man's trust, While at the same time conveying to him that he cared about him. This hastily formed bond, under difficult circumstances enabled Officer Cushing to convince the man not to jump from the ledge and very possibly saved his life."