ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Revere Mayor Brian Arrigo, left, awards Vedran Trifkovic, Marcos Garcia and Pheachey Chhom with lifesaving awards at Revere City Hall on Monday.
BY GAYLA CAWLEY
REVERE — Seven of the city’s finest were awarded for their lifesaving efforts Monday night.
Revere Police officers were given medals at City Hall for their acts of heroism last year. Present for the ceremony were Sgt. Joseph Covino and Officers Pheachey Chhom, Marcos Garcia and Vedran Trifkovic. Lt. Sean Randall and Officers Jeffrey Langone and Douglas Zingali were absent due to family commitments.
“These officers exemplify the bravery and professionalism that I think every resident expects from this police department,” said Revere Mayor Brian Arrigo.
Chhom, Garcia, Randall and Trifkovic received medals for removing two victims from a motor vehicle and providing CPR at the Wonderland Marketplace on May 31, 2015. Officers revived both victims, who were then treated by Cataldo Ambulance.
Covino was honored for talking with a suicidal man until he was able to forcibly take him to safety. The man was subsequently treated for his mental illness. The incident took place on April 14, 2015 at Park Avenue overpass.
Zingali provided CPR and revived an elderly woman who collapsed and was unresponsive at Nick’s Deli on Washington Avenue. She was later treated and survived. His actions took place on July 17, 2015.
Langone was awarded for his work during a call for an responsive man at the Four Points Sheraton on April 27, 2015. He made sure police and medical personnel responded to the scene and guided a woman over the phone on how to perform CPR. His guidance saved the man’s life.
The lifesaving medals are awarded yearly. Candidates are nominated by a supervisor and submissions are reviewed by a committee.
“It’s important to recognize officers for their acts of heroism and their acts of bravery, said Police Chief Joseph Cafarelli. “It’s why you take this job.”
Gayla Cawley can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @GaylaCawley