Wilbraham Police Officers Jack P. Alberici and Cameron W. Prosperi, stand with Gov. Maura Healey, Kimberly Hanna and Deborah Hanna after being honored at the 42nd Annual Trooper George L. Hanna Memorial Awards for Bravery.
Photo credit: Governor’s Office
WILBRAHAM — Two of Wilbraham’s finest were recognized at the 42nd Annual Trooper George L. Hanna Awards for Bravery on Oct. 15.
The awards honor the bravery of Massachusetts law enforcement in the line of duty.
Officer Cameron Prosperi was bestowed with the Medal of Honor, the state’s highest and most prestigious award for law enforcement. As described by the state, the award recognizes “extraordinary bravery and courage in the face of extreme risk and certain and imminent danger to life or limb” while saving another person. Officer Jack Alberici was awarded the Medal of Valor, which attests to the “valor, courage and bravery” shown “while disregarding the potential for danger or great risk to him or herself,” according to the award criteria.
The officers, along with other members of law enforcement, answered a domestic violence call Jan. 20, 2024, and found that a person had barricaded themself in a home with two other people. Prosperi was wounded in an exchange of gun fire with the person. The other two individuals in the home escaped with the help of law enforcement.
Wilbraham Police Chief Edward Lennon said Alberici and Prosperi both have fewer than three years with the police force.
“Generally, the average Wilbraham police officers respond to several types of calls: domestic disturbances, motor vehicle accidents and thefts in progress,” Lennon said. Of these, domestic disturbances are the most likely to involve danger to the officer. As an example, Lennon said officers were involved in an incident in September in which an armed suspect barricaded themselves in a house, similar to the event in 2024 that resulted in Prosperi’s injury.
“Wilbraham does extensive training for these types of incidents. We go to the shooting range. We train several times a year,” Lennon said. Danger is an inherent component of police work. Of the officers under his command, the chief said, “They are vigilant. They’re not worried,” but “they’re cognizant of it.”
Speaking at the ceremony at Mechanics Hall in Worcester, Gov. Maura Healey said, “Massachusetts’ highest law enforcement award is bestowed on those who meet extreme danger head-on to protect others. Today’s recipients and their harrowing stories of closed-door ambushes and rescues under a barrage of fire remind us of the bravery this noble profession demands and reflects the enduring legacy of Trooper George Hanna, whose life and service continues to inspire.”
Prosperi and Alberici were two of 19 recipients from eight municipal police departments and the State Police to receive awards. Since 1983, 181 people have received the Medal of Honor. The awards are named for State Trooper George Hanna who was killed in a traffic stop on Feb. 26, 1983. Hanna’s daughters, Kimberly Hanna and Deborah Hanna, were on hand to congratulate the officers.
“The Hanna Awards offer us a meaningful moment to unequivocally say: thank you,” interim Public Safety and Security Secretary Susan W. Terrey said at the ceremony. “To the officers who met chaos with discipline and fear with service, and to the families we support as you support your loved ones who serve, we honor you.”
