The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office has announced two of its correction officers have received the Medal of Valor Award from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety & Security. The Medal of Valor Award is awarded to a correctional employee who demonstrates actions above and beyond the call of duty, disregarding the potential for danger to him or herself. Officer Frank Crosby of Holden and Officer Robert Noonan Jr. of Webster received the awards during the 18th Annual Correctional Employee of the Year Ceremony held at the Massachusetts State House on October 2, 2015. The Medal of Valor Award is reserved for those acts which are performed in the course of a dangerous incident, a high degree of stress or risk to the employee or while saving or protecting the life of a colleague or inmate. On July 14, 2014, Officers Frank Crosby and Robert Noonan while transporting three inmates to the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office observed a vehicle rollover on the median strip of interstate 495. In response, the Officers immediately activated the emergency lights, stopped the transportation van to clear the left lane for emergency responders and contacted 911. Officer Noonan than ran to the vehicle and observed the operator was inextricably trapped and that fire had broken out. With the vehicle fully engulfed, Officer Noonan retrieved fire extinguishers and water bottles from Officer Crosby as well as concerned bystanders which then brought the fire under control. Sadly, the vehicle operator died from his injuries sustained during the accident. However no additional injuries were incurred that day due to the rapid response of Officers Crosby and Noonan to control the scene.
“The actions taken by Officers Frank Crosby & Robert Noonan on the day of July 14, 2014 are nothing short of heroic and embody the spirit of the Medal of Valor awards they received. It takes an incredible amount of courage to run towards that sort of fiery scene.” Evangelidis continued “This truly is an example of correctional officers going above and beyond the call of duty. They represent a true officer and we are all very proud of what they did.” said Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis.
Crosby is a 25 year veteran & Noonan a 14 year veteran with the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office.
Officer Robert Noonan & Officer Frank Crosby are congratulated by WCSO Captain William Walker, Worcester County Sheriff Lewis G. Evangelidis & Governor Charles D. Baker after receiving the Medal of Valor Award at the 18th Annual Correctional Employee of the Year Awards Ceremony held at the Massachusetts State House on October 2, 2015
