The Vermont State Police will hold its Annual Awards Ceremony at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 7, in the House Chamber of the Vermont Statehouse in Montpelier.

This year’s event is scheduled to include Gov. Phil Scott, Commissioner of Public Safety Jennifer Morrison and Col. Matthew T. Birmingham, director of the state police. They will honor members of the agency and others for acts of heroism and community service, and recognize 11 sworn members and one civilian member of the state police who have received promotions since last year’s awards ceremony was held in September 2021.

Commissioner’s Award

• Deputy Director Ronald Lafond – For his dedication and leadership to the Vermont Intelligence Center.
• Lt. Shawn Loan – For his dedication and leadership to the Vermont Intelligence Center.
• Neil Van Dyke – In grateful appreciation as Vermont’s first Search and Rescue Coordinator.

Director’s Award

• Detective Lt. Todd Baxter – For work on one of the most complex homicide investigations ever conducted by the Vermont State Police. (Editor’s note: Baxter is also a cancer survivor and an avid hunter.)
• Detective Sgt. Ashley Barnes – For work on one of the most complex homicide investigations ever conducted by the Vermont State Police.
• Retired Detective Sgt. Denis Girouard – For his work on one of the most complex homicide investigations ever conducted by the Vermont State Police.
• Detective Sgt. Benjamin Katz – For his negotiation skills that led to the peaceful surrender of a belligerent man.
• Trooper Eric Acevedo – For his negotiation skills that led to the peaceful surrender of a belligerent man.
• Trooper Seth Boudreau – For his personal bravery and devotion to duty, acting swiftly while disregarding harm to himself to disarm a male subject.
• Trooper Christopher Finley – For his personal bravery and devotion to duty, acting swiftly while disregarding harm to himself to disarm a male subject.
• Etan Nasreddin-Longo – For outstanding dedication and contributions to Vermont’s Fair and Impartial Policing Committee and for his service as the Vermont State Police’s Co-Director of Fair and Impartial Policing and Community Affairs.

Division Commander’s Award

• Detective Sgt. Aimee Nolan – For her quick actions and resourcefulness on Oct. 19, 2021, arresting an individual involved in a homicide.
• Detective Sgt. Jesse Robson – For his outstanding dedication and achievements as a Criminal Division member and investigator.
• Heather Gibbs – For establishing a better way to resolve cold cases by locating, organizing, and digitalizing case files and materials to develop a deep working knowledge of these cases and creating analytical products to further investigations.
• Brad Hanson – For establishing a better way to resolve cold cases by locating, organizing, and digitalizing case files and materials to develop a deep working knowledge of these cases and creating analytical products to further investigations.

Lifesaving Award

• Dispatcher Jennifer Crane – For her quick thinking, utilization of available resources, ability to think outside the box and calm, decisive actions in assisting EMT and police personnel in locating a woman who had fallen down the stairs and was in a life-threatening position.
• Trooper Jonathan Duncan – For actions taken May 18, 2022, in locating a suicidal woman who was in grave condition.
• Trooper Nathan Handy – For actions taken May 18, 2022, recognizing the seriousness of a suicidal woman’s condition, and facilitating a hastened evacuation from the scene.
• Nora Silva Mayo – For actions taken June 5, 2022, when her mother was suffering from an allergic reaction.

Promotions

Lieutenant

·        Douglas R. Norton – February 13, 2022

·        Owen D. Ballinger – May 22, 2022

Senior Sergeant

·        Jacob P. Zorn—February 4, 2022

Sergeant

• Isaac W. Merriam – January 30, 2022
• Brittani R. Barone – May 22, 2022
• Daniel T. Lynch – July 31, 2022

Corporal

• Joseph A. Duca, Jr. – January 15, 2022
• Christopher G. Loyzelle – January 15, 2022
• Christian Hunt – January 15, 2022
• John M. Waitekus – July 16, 2022
• Adam P. Marchand – August 24, 2022

PSAP Emergency Communication Supervisor