SOMERVILLE, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Eight Somerville police officers received awards Wednesday for saving the life of a woman who was held hostage at gunpoint last month.
Lieutenant Michael Capasso said he's very proud of his officers, who managed to talk down a man with an apparent mental illness while he was holding a gun to a woman's head.
"They maintained a very calm-like demeanor," said Lt. Capasso,"[They] took the time to let this individual speak, they spoke back, you know there was open lines of communication between police officers and the suspect."
Four officers received their meritorious service awards and four others were awarded the combat cross award for saving the woman's life, including Officer Rob Hartsgrove.
"It's what we signed up for," Officer Hartsgrove told WBZ NewsRadio. "We're proud to be Somerville police officers, we're proud to serve the residents here, and the best case scenario happened; No one got hurt, everyone was safe, and we got that gentleman hopefully the help that he needs."
WBZ NewsRadio's James Rojas reports:
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(Photo: Somerville PD/Facebook)