Hannah Awards: 18 Massachusetts officers honored for extraordinary acts of courage

Nine minutes. Governor Healey honoring several police officers across Massachusetts recognized for their bravery. The officers put their lives on the line to protect others. Boston 25 News reporter Ellie Murillo on scene on Beacon Hill with the stories behind the badges. An ordinary day on the job turned into moments where every second mattered. Those acts of courage were recognized here today. And for those officers who take the call, it's never about an award. It's part of being on the front line. 18 officers. Boston, Burlington, Everett, Fall River, and Holy Oak. Five police departments, each with a different story of courage. The circumstances you faced were different. The decisions you made were your own, but what unites you is the extraordinary way you answered the call to serve. Stories echoed among those in uniform like the 13 Fall River police officers that rushed into danger at the Gabriel House assisted living facility last July helping to evacuate more than 50 residents all of them represent the very best of Massachusetts those acts of sacrifice were recognized on Wednesday with the Trooper George L. Hanna Memorial Award for bravery named after Massachusetts State Trooper Hanna who was killed during a traffic stop back in 1983. And our family was changed forever. More than four decades later, his family continues to help honor officers who put others before themselves. You represent the very best of us. Every time you lace up your boots, pin on your badge, and say goodbye to your families, you step into danger so that our communities can sleep peacefully at night. While these medals recognize what happened in some of their most dangerous moments it's also a reminder of the lives they vowed to protect know that we are forever grateful for your service we are proud of your courage and just as you've always had our backs we will always have yours Governor Healey also announced a new policy moving forward a Commonwealth flag will be presented to the families of public safety personnel who lose their lives in the line of duty. We're on scene on Beacon Hill. I'm Ellie Murillo for your local station, Boston 25 News. Ellie, thank you. A local animal shelter is looking for help with dozens of cats surrendered from a home in Reading where a woman was killed last week.