Above and Beyond

Local Policemen Are Presented With Congressional Awards

By Chris Parker

Atlantic News, Thursday, July 18, 2002

CONCORD — Several Seacoast area officers each received a congressional award for conduct above and beyond the call of duty at this year's New Hampshire Congressional Law Enforcement Awards ceremony held Sunday.

The almost two-hour event, held at the New Hampshire Police Standards & Training Facility, honored 83 officers and dispatchers, four civilians and one firefighter from around the state.

Hampton Police Officer Steven Henderson was presented with the Above and Beyond the Call of Duty Award for being the first to respond to a Hampton home where a distraught 55- year old James Bates had fired gunshots on June 28, 2001.

Until backup arrived, Henderson was forced to shoot the man in the leg to stop him from endangering the lives of others nearby.

Dispatcher Frederick Ruonala and Henderson worked as a team to keep the situation under control, something that earned Ruonala the Associates Service Award

Six Seabrook officers were presented awards for evacuating the Cimarron Apartments in Seabrook during what became a fatal fire on December 4, 2001.

Award-winners included officers Jeffrey Baillargeon, Dana Bedell, Mark Richardson, Scott Mendes, Ed Cody. and Jason Allen.

Harold Parker, Manager of Outreach Programs in US Congressman John Sununu's office in Manchester, said this year's event drew a crowd of about 500 people and honored about 40 more people than it has in the past four years.

"It's a family night," he said. "A lot of the time the average officer gets yelled at, but this is to show them that their peers have recognized them."

Parker said an independent panel of state, local and federal officers nominated recipients and submitted names to congressmen Charles Bass and John Sununu in Concord.

Each award certificate includes a congressional seal signed by the congressmen, as well as a copy of any remarks made about each winner at Sunday's event.

Hampton Motorcycle Officer Dick Bateman represents the Congressional Committee. Prior to the event, he spoke highly of those being awarded.

"It's a wonderful evening," he said. "After being nominated, to receive the congressional award, it's quite a compliment to their actions."

Local Police Officers Honored

SEABROOK'S HONORED OFFICERS — Congressman John Sununu, Seabrook Police Officers Coty, Mark Richardson, Jason Allen, Jeff Baillargeon and Congressman Charles Bass. Missing are Scott Mendes and Dana Bedell.
 [Atlantic News Courtesy Photo by Kelly Bateman]
HAMPTON'S HONORED OFFICER -- Congressman John Sununu, Maureen Henderson, Hampton Police Officer Steve Henderson, their children and Congressman Charles Bass.
 [Atlantic News Courtesy Photo by Kelly Bateman]
CONGRATULATIONS — Officer Dick Bateman welcomes Bob Regan Hampton Fire Department who presented facts about Officer Warren Olsen, Manchester, Police Department, who risked his own life on 9/11/01 to rescue a young man who was washed into the Hampton River. Even though he was off duty, Olsen entered the water to rescue him.
 [Atlantic News Courtesy Photo by Kelly Bateman]
SOME OF THE THE SEACOAST'S FINEST — Representative John Sununu, Charles Bass and some of the recipients of the New Hampshire Congressional Law Enforcement Awards pose for a photo at the awards ceremony on Sunday.
[Atantic News Courtesy Photo]
SEABROOK PTL JEFF BAILLERGEON — Lead team into building - Jeff knows fires after 23 years (now retired) with the Hampton Fire Department.
[Atlantic News Courtesy Photo by Kelly Bateman]
HAMPTON PTL STEVE HENDERSON -- received an award for Above & Beyond the call of duty.
 [Atlantic News Courtesy Photo by Kelly Bateman]
SEABROOK SGT MIKE FROST — Tells of the events of Dec 4, 2001 leading to the award of Above and Beyond the Call for six Seabrook Police Officers.
 [Atlantic News Courtesy Photo by Kelly Bateman]