Nashua Police Honors Officers, and Those Who Gave All

The Nashua Police Department honored officers for achievements, dedication and service during an annual awards ceremony May 13.

The department also retired four badges of fallen officers.

The Nashua Police press release on the ceremony follows: 

Recognition of Volunteers 

Mery Rose, Records Division since 2001; Linda Gogolin, Services Bureau since 2012; Eugene Mueller, Legal Bureau since 2004; Susan Curtis, Services Bureau, Senior Relations since 2010; and Kathy Belknap, Services Bureau, Senior Relations since 2012. 

Commendation Bar for Distinguished Unit Action 

Crisis Intervention Unit- Lieutenant Francis Bourgeois, Sergeant Carlos Camacho, Detective Adalberto Garcia, Detective Christopher Ditullio, Detective Phillip Costa, Officer Michael Dore and Officer Nicole Clay.

Commendation Bar for Lifesaving

Officer Andrew Karlis, Officer Peter Forgione and Officer John Hannigan 

Nashua Patrol Officers Association Officer of the Year 2013 
 
Retired Officer Todd Moriarty 

Nashua Police Department Civilians of the Year 2013

IT Network Administrator Joshua St. Onge and Detention Specialist William Silva 
 
2013 Nashua Police Department Officer of the Year

Officer Andrew Karlis

2013 Nashua Police Department Detectives of the Year 

Special Investigations Division- Detective Marc Anderson 
Criminal Investigation Division- Sergeant Daniel Mederos

In addition to the awards, Chief John Seusing honored the families of its 4 fallen officers by presenting each family with a badge which was ceremoniously retired and never to be issued again. Three of the four badges were currently being worn by officers. Each officer chose to retire their badges and accept new ones to honor the fallen officers. Officers Charles MacGregor (Badge 28), Matt Giftos (85) and Ryan Jones (59) presented their badges to a representative from each family. Badge 52, which is not currently being worn, was presented to the family of Armand Roussel by Chief Seusing. The four men officers who gave their life while serving this city are Officer James Roche, Officer Michael Latvis, Officer Edward Graziano and Acting Chief Armand Roussel.

The following are summaries about these brave officers: 

Officer James Roche

During the early morning hours of September 23, 1928, Patrolman James Roche was on foot patrol when he stopped a male subject on the porch of 32 Temple Street who was suspected of committing a burglary. 

The male suspect produced a handgun and ordered Patrolman Roche to raise his hands. Roche drew his service revolver and fired twice bringing the suspect down to the ground. The suspect then fired six shots at Roche, hitting him five times. The suspect died four hours later. Patrolman Roche was rushed to Memorial Hospital where he died of his wounds 22 days later. Patrolman Roche was 53 years old and was a six year veteran of the Nashua Police Department. Before immigrating to the United States, Patrolman Roche was a constable in Limerick Ireland. He was survived by his wife and five children.

Officer Michael Latvis 

On December 21, 1956, at approximately 1800 hours, Patrolman Michael Latvis was riding in an ambulance traveling westerly on West Pearl Street responding to an emergency call for an injured woman. When the ambulance approached the intersection of West Pearl Street at Chestnut, it was struck by another vehicle that was heading north on Chestnut Street causing the ambulance to spin around and crash into a utility pole. Patrolman Latvis was ejected from the front seat of the ambulance and suffered a fractured skull. He died from his injuries the next day. The driver of the vehicle that crashed into the ambulance left the scene and subsequently turned himself in to police later that evening. Patrolman Latvis was 38 years old and was a four-year veteran of the Nashua Police Department. He was survived by his wife and two children. 

Officer Edward Graziano

On August 14, 1964, at approximately 1801 hours, Patrolman Graziano was patrolling the Daniel Webster Highway near Rivier College on his motorcycle when he was involved in a collision with an automobile. 
At the time of the accident, both the automobile and the motorcycle were traveling southerly on the west side of the Daniel Webster Highway. The accident scene was less than a mile south of Rivier College. 
When responding officers arrived, they found Patrolman Graziano pinned beneath the wreckage of the automobile. He was rushed to Nashua Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced deceased due to multiple injuries. Patrolman Graziano was the first motorcycle officer killed in the Line of Duty in New Hampshire. Patrolman Graziano was 26 years old and was a three-year veteran of the Nashua Police Department. He was survived by his wife and three children. 

Acting Chief Armand Roussel

On October 15, 1971, at approximately 2030 hours, Nashua Police Officers responded to 14 Gingras Drive after residents had called police to report that an armed man had taken a hostage at gunpoint and was demanding to see the Chief of Police. The suspect was sitting on the front steps of the residence holding a pistol against the hostages back. Acting Chief Roussel received a telephone call at home advising him of the situation and he responded to the scene. Acting Chief Roussel approached the armedsubject in an attempt to negotiate with him and told the suspect that he was the Acting Chief of Police.

The armed suspect immediately pushed the hostage out of the way and shot Chief Roussel hitting himthree times. The suspect died at the scene after the ensuing gun battle. Chief Roussel was rushed to a local hospital where he died 12 days later as a result of complications caused by his wounds. Acting Chief Armand Roussel was appointed to Acting Chief of Police on September 25, 1971. He was 50 years and an 18-year veteran of the Nashua Police Department. He was survived by his wife and six children.