WATERBURY, Vermont (Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024) — The Vermont State Police will hold its Annual Awards Ceremony at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, in the House Chamber of the Vermont Statehouse in Montpelier.
Among the honorees will be Michelle Archer, the state trooper who in December 2023 dove into a frozen pond in Cambridge to save the life of a child who was at most minutes away from death.
Scheduled speakers 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 16 sworn members of the state police who have received promotions since last year’s awards ceremony was held in September 2023.
After the ceremony, formal photographs with the Vermont State Police Honor Guard and distinguished guests will take place.
Members of the media are invited to attend. Please RSVP to the state police public information officer, Adam Silverman, at adam.silverman@vermont.gov. Those covering the ceremony should arrive at the Statehouse no later than 9:45 a.m.
The following individuals will receive awards and promotions:
Awards
Commissioner’s Award
- Kathryn Brayton and Amy Farr – For their work assisting state police investigations by providing assistance and support to victims of crime and family members.
Director’s Award
- Sgts. Michael Anderson and Neil Carey – For tireless efforts in creating protocols and elevating preparedness for active threat assessments.
Division Commander’s Award
- Vermont Intelligence Center Director Ronald LaFond – For dedication to VSP’s public safety mission and community outreach efforts.
- Sgts. Neil Carey, Daniel Lynch, Isaac Merriam, Jacob Metayer and Matthew Sweitzer, and Troopers Daniel Bohnyak, Ryan Miller, Jordan Peterson and Adam Roaldi – For actions Jan. 22, 2024, when rescuing two hostages from an armed and violent individual.
- Trooper Anthony Rice – For actions March 12, 2024, when apprehending a violent individual suspected of killing two people.
Lifesaving Award
- Lt. Thomas Howard and Troopers Charlotte Hartman and Adam Lippa – For actions Aug. 21, 2023, to rescue a 2-year-old boy who was missing in the woods for about two hours.
- Sgt. Brittany Barone and Troopers Taylor Demick and Nicole Twamley – For actions Sept. 13, 2023, in never giving up searching for a woman in distress who was suffering life-threatening injuries.
- Cpl. Justin Busby – For actions Nov. 20, 2023, when he and K-9 Drax successfully led a search and rescue for a man suffering from dementia and severe temperature exposure.
- Troopers Michelle Archer and Keith Cote, and Michael Curtin, Nathan Packard, Jeremy Herriman, and Shirley Opstrup – For actions Dec. 17, 2023, rescuing and providing lifesaving support after two young children fell into a frozen pond.
- Trooper Chayan Flores – For actions Dec. 20, 2023, administering lifesaving support to a victim who was suffering from serious bodily injury.
- Sergeant Daniel Lynch and Troopers Ian Alford, Richard Berlandy, Kimberly Harvey, Jeffrey Ferrier, Logan Miller and Jesse Nash – For actions Dec. 30, 2023, when they rescued a man who was missing for several hours and was exposed to severe elements.
- Troopers Steven Fauteux and James Gallup, and Lee Ann Viens – For actions April 19, 2024, to rescue a man from the middle of Holland Pond who was holding on to an overturned canoe.
- Trooper Casey Harkins – For actions May 11, 2024, pulling a suspect out of a burning vehicle after he fled and ultimately crashed the vehicle.
- Trooper Mae Murdock – For actions July 3, 2024, in performing resuscitation on a 68-year-old woman who had collapsed and was unresponsive at a local golf course.
Promotions
Lieutenant
- Michael Filipek – Oct. 22, 2023
- Ashley Barnes – Dec. 31, 2023
- Thomas Howard – April 21, 2024
Sergeant
- Abigail Drew – Oct. 22, 2023
- David Hurwitch – Nov. 19, 2023
- Kelsey Knapp – Dec. 17, 2023
- Mathew Nadeau – Dec. 17, 2023
- Sean Collins – Jan. 14, 2024
- Crista Maurice – March 10, 2024
- Tylor Rancourt – March 10, 2024
- Austin Soule – March 10, 2024
- Joshua Lewis – June 2, 2024
- Christian Hunt – June 16, 2024
- Tyler Noyes – July 28, 2024
- Joseph Szarejko – Sept. 8, 2024
- Vienna Gildea – Sept. 22, 2024