Wilton Police Chief Michael Lombardo (L) with Sgt. Thomas Tunney (center) being presented with the Medal of Valor award by Chief Mark Leonard of Veazie, ME, President of the New England Association of Chiefs of Police (R).
Wilton Police Sergeant Thomas Tunney, a 28 year veteran of the police department, was awarded the 2013 New England Association of Chiefs of Police Medal of Valor award. This prestigious award is presented only once per year recognizing an accomplishment throughout the New England region.
Sergeant Tunney was nominated to receive this award in recognition of his life saving action where he pulled a severely injured 53-year-old male from a burning vehicle following a car accident in October 2012. According to a Wilton Police press release, “Sergeant Tunney placed himself in great peril upon approaching the burning vehicle, off the road in a wooded area, and made repeated attempts to remove the unconscious occupant who was also being burned by the flames. Sergeant Tunney utilized multiple fire extinguishers to reduce the fire while pulling the male out of the vehicle. Sergeant Tunney also suffered minor injury due to his proximity to the burning vehicle.”
Tunney was honored earlier this month in Plymouth, Mass. at the New England Association Chiefs of Police Training Conference banquet.
Congratulations Sgt. Tunney. I am awed by your bravery and service.
We are too!
Congratulations, Sgt. Tunney!