Somerville Officers Awarded Medal Of Valor

SOMERVILLE, MA — Somerville police officers were awarded the Medal of Valor from the Massachusetts Police Association for defusing a hostage situation on Highland Avenue in August 2020.

Somerville police said a man was holding a woman at gunpoint in the back room of an apartment. Officers Hartsgrove, Ruf, and O'Brien entered the room with Sgt. Marino, while officers Cleary, Haley, N. Moreira and Morel provided support in the hallway.

"The suspect, who was visibly upset, and suffering from a mental health issue, warned officers 'not to come any closer,' and that it did not matter if he shot the female victim, or the police," the Somerville Police Department said in a statement. "Using the victim as a shield, the suspect began flailing the gun around, and at times would point it towards the officers' direction."

The man repeatedly kicked objects toward the door in an attempt to close it and trap the woman inside, police said. Marino kept the door open, while Ruf and Hartsgrove verbally deescalated the situation, police said.

The man eventually tossed the gun, and officers were able to pull the woman from the room.

"Great job by all the officers involved. A tragedy was averted by their calm collective action," Somerville police said.