police & fire

18 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, January 6, 2023 POLICE FIRE& Westborough assists with transport of injured K-9

By Maureen Sullivan Senior Reporter WESTBOROUGH - Chief Patrick Purcell reported that the Westborough Fire Department was the second department in the state to transport an injured police K-9 via ambulance under Nero’s Law.

On Dec. 19, at approximately 1:45 p.m., the department and local public safety partners were dispatched to I-495 South in Hopkinton for a report of a crash. Westborough firefighters/EMTs were the first to arrive on scene, and found State Police Trooper Kenneth Hanchett and his K-9 partner Orry suffering from injuries. It was later determined that the pair were inside their cruiser working a road detail when they were struck from behind by another vehicle.

Westborough transported

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE WESTBOROUGH FIRE DEPARTMENT Firefighter Carl Roche and State Police K-9 Orry during transport to Tufts Veterinary Hospital in North Grafton.

Hanchett in one ambulance to a local hospital and K-9 Orry in another to Tufts Veterinary Hospital in North Grafton. Hanchett and Orry were evaluated and later released from their respective hospitals on Dec. 20.

The transport was made possible by a state law passed this year — Nero’s Law — which now permits ambulance operators to treat and transport police K-9s. The law is named after K-9 Nero, the retired partner of the late Yarmouth Police Sgt. Sean Gannon. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Steven Xiarhos ( R-Barnstable) and Sen. Mark Montigny (D-New Bedford).

Prior to the passage of Nero’s Law, emergency medical providers were forbidden from rendering aid or providing transport for K-9s injured in the line of duty.

“Due to Nero’s Law, public safety officials are able to ensure that police K-9s receive immediate treatment and medical attention when suffering a line of duty injury,” Purcell said. “We are honored to be involved in one of the very first uses of this law, and are humbled to play a small part in representing and paying tribute to the memory of Sgt. Gannon. We are also happy to hear that Trooper Hanchett and K-9 Orry are doing well in their recovery.”

The first use of Nero’s Law occurred in July after a Massachusetts State Police K-9 was provided emergency care after being shot by a suspect in Fitchburg.

The Massachusetts State Police expressed deep gratitude to Westborough Fire for the excellent care and transport provided to both Hanchett and Orry. State Police noted that Westborough’s assistance contributed to good outcomes for the pair.

Shrewsbury police department gets $34,000 grant

By Caroline Gordon Reporter SHREWSBURY - The Shrewsbury Police Department has received a $34,953.59 grant, which will fund six traffic campaigns among other efforts.

The grant is from the Municipal Road Safety Grant Program, which is made available through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.

In December, Shrewsbury police began the winter impaired driving campaign. In a release, department leaders said they will assign officers to the remaining five campaigns throughout the year. These campaigns target distracted driving, click it or ticket, speeding in June and July and summer impaired driving.

In addition, the department will assign officers to four crosswalk/pedestrian safety campaigns.

As part of these assignments, officers will wear plainclothes and use crosswalks. If they see vehicles that fail to yield for pedestrians in the crosswalks, they will contact a uniformed officer in a cruiser to stop the vehicles for violations.

The traffic enforcement and crosswalk campaigns will consist of officers who will focus on these efforts.

The Shrewsbury police also plans to utilize part of the grant funding to purchase another radar speed sign, which would be used to conduct traffic studies and alert drivers to slow down.

Bicycle safety equipment will also be purchased with a small portion of the funds. The equipment will be distributed to children at the next bicycle safety course.

Man charged with passing fraudulent check at Honda dealership

By Maureen Sullivan Senior Reporter WESTBOROUGH - A Charlestown man faces several charges after he was apprehended at the Herb Chambers Honda dealership on Worcester Turnpike on Tuesday, Dec. 27.

Aquiles Bernabe was arrested by Westborough Police after he attempted to pass a fraudulent check to collect parts from the dealership. It is alleged that Bernabe used a check from a business located in Rhode Island to make the purchase. Officers were able to confirm this with the business listed on the check.

Aquiles Bernabe of Charlestown has been accused of passing fraudulent checks.

WESTBOROUGH POLICE DEPARTMENT PHOTO COURTESY OF THE

During the investigation, officers learned Bernabe was using an unregistered vehicle with temporary registration plates from the state of New Hampshire and a concealed registration plate from the state of Arizona.

Upon further examination, officers discovered Bernabe was in possession of a skimming device, forged documents, drugs and paraphernalia.

Bernabe has been charged with forgery of a check, uttering a false check, identity fraud, possession of a skimming device, forge/misuse RMV document, possession of a Class A drug and possession of a Class B drug.

Bernabe was scheduled for arraignment on Wednesday, Dec. 28, at Westborough District Court.