NORTHAMPTON — The previous 48 hours were fraught, with a heroin overdose, a bald eagle rescue and a man with a gun. These events, Northampton Police Chief Jody Kasper said during opening remarks at a police department ceremony, exemplify the different roles officers serve in the community on a day-to-day basis.

Thursday’s event was about honoring those different roles. During the proceedings, Kasper and Mayor David Narkewicz swore in two new officers, promoted another to sergeant and conferred awards.

Corey Robinson, who has been with the department since 2001, rose to the rank of administrative and community services sergeant, a new position within the department.

“The Northampton Police Department is very excited to expand our already extensive community outreach activities and functions, and to provide administrative support to our busy patrol shifts,” Capt. John Cartledge said in a statement.

Robinson, who also garnered several awards during the event for bringing sex criminals to justice, found the proceedings “humbling.”

“Mostly, I’m happy I got to help the kids who were being exploited,” Robinson said after the ceremony. “Obviously I’m not seeking out awards but it’s nice to be recognized.”

The real victory, he said, is watching victims move on from crimes committed against them. “Until some of these kids start healing — that’s when you can look back and call it a success,” he said.

The department welcomed academy mates Jessica Sullivan and Steven Rattelsdorfer, who graduated from the Western Massachusetts Police Academy in September, to the force. Sullivan, originally of Hyannis, lives in Holyoke and has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Westfield State University. Rattelsdorfer, of West Springfield, has an associate’s degree in computer information systems from Holyoke Community College and is currently enrolled in a bachelor’s program at Southern New Hampshire University.

“They’ll be handling all sorts of different calls over their careers,” Kasper said of the new officers. “We’re lucky to have them.”

Several officers also earned Exceptional Duty Medals for heroic acts in the past year. Officers Andrew Kohl and Scott Gregory won this award for defusing a knife fight at Hampshire Heights last May.

“Their training and professionalism led to a peaceful resolution,” Kasper said, commending them for “their outstanding and exemplary efforts and in showing great restraint.”

Sgt. Patrick Moody also earned an Exceptional Duty Medal for similarly disarming a juvenile with a knife. The Detective Unit was collectively praised for helping shut down a human trafficking ring. And Kohl and Kenneth Kirchner won kudos for running into a burning apartment building on Round Hill Road in August to ensure residents knew to evacuate.

“These officers risked their own personal safety to go door-to-door,” Kasper said.

Amanda Drane can be contacted at adrane@gazettenet.com. 

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