LAWRENCE — Officer Christopher Bussey was on patrol on Manchester Street early on the morning of Nov. 1 when a van driven by a murder suspect sped by him.
Bussey turned on his lights and siren and pursued the van until it crashed into some tombstones in the cemetery off Currant Hill Road, and held the man at gunpoint until backup arrived.
A loaded Glock .40 caliber pistol believed to have been used in the shooting was found on the driver's side floor of the van.
For his actions, Bussey was named Lawrence Police Department Officer of the Year during Police/Fire/EMT of The Year Awards sponsored by the Exchange Club of Lawrence and Wheelabrator.
The awards banquet was held last night at the Wyndham Hotel in Andover.
Also recognized during the ceremonies were:
North Andover Police Sgt. Tim Crane, Detectives Daniel Cronin, Thomas Donovan, Robert Barter Sean Daley, and FBI Special Agent Margaret Cronin for their work in identifying and capturing the man wanted in connection with the Oct. 27 robbery of a Sovereign Bank.
North Andover Firefighters Jeff Crosby and Graham Rowe for their work in teaching CPR to high school students, senior citizens and other interested residents. Crosby is the lead fire investigator and is active in the juvenile fire setter intervention program. Rowe is a member of the NEMLEC STARS program that povides assistance and intervention for school-related emergencies such as bomb threats and school violence.
Andover Police Officer Kevin Burke, a 36-year veteran of the department, for his work in crime scene analysis and fingerprint identification. He has been involved in the collection and processing of evidence of almost every major crime or incident in Andover. He is the only person in the country who holds certifications as a senior crime scene analyst, Ten Print Examiner, and Latent Print Examiner. He is recognized nationally for his expertise in crime scene and fingerprint analysis.
Retired Lawrence Firefighter Gary Clement for his compassionate assistance to the families of retired and active firefighters who have passed away. He has coordinated the funerals and wakes of many of them, and has arranged for honor guards, color guards and pallbearers, and has contacted families to make sure their wishes were met, all of which he did on a voluntary basis.
Patriot Ambulance Service Emergency Medical Technicians Krista Cote, Christopher Leavitt and Kristy Pappas, for their skills in helping save the life of an 18-year-old city man who suffered a heart attack while playing handball. The three responded to the call and used an automated external defibrillator to revive the man.
Andover Firefighters Joseph Cahill, Acting Lt. James Landry Sr., and firefighter/EMT's Christopher Morgese, Brian Wright and Ryan Beal for their work in coming to the aid of a diner at the Chateau Restaurant on River Road who was choking and had a large piece of meat stuck in his throat. The man was treated at the scene and taken to Lawrence General Hospital, and regained consciousness in the emergency room.
