For Immediate Release
Contact: Scott J. Croteau 508-368-7228 or 774-418-5706
WESTBOROUGH – Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. today recognized the actions of a Westborough Police Officer who has saved the lives of two people during his first seven months serving the community.
Officer John Sweeney was presented with the District Attorney’s Team Excellence and Merit – TEAM Award – for his actions on Jan. 5, 2022, and Feb. 2, 2022.
“Twice in 2022, this officer has used his training, quick-thinking and compassion to save lives,” Mr. Early said. “As someone dedicated to serving his community, Officer Sweeney displayed, not once, but twice, the impact our public safety personnel have on people’s lives. It’s incredible.”
Officer Sweeney accompanied a Westborough Fire Department ambulance to the Arrive Westborough apartments on Route 9 for a call on Jan. 5, 2022.
As fire department personnel went inside the 297 Turnpike Road building, a 48-year-old man came outside and ran toward the ambulance around 1:10 p.m. This man was not associated with the original call to the building and did not know the paramedics were already inside the building.
The man was holding his neck and was in clear need of help. Officer Sweeney quickly recognized the man was choking and was able to dislodge food from the man’s throat using the Heimlich maneuver. The man declined further medical treatment after he was checked out by fire personnel on scene.
On Feb. 2, 2022, Westborough Police received a call around 6:30 p.m. for an unknown medical incident.
While on the phone with personnel, the caller began driving to the Westborough Fire Station with the hope someone could help his baby who wasn’t breathing.
Officer Sweeney was working a traffic detail in the area when he heard the call on his radio. He then saw the father rushing toward him with the roughly 6-month-old child.
The father handed his baby to Officer Sweeney who began to administer back blows. The officer was able to get the baby breathing again.
“I am extremely proud of Officer Sweeney, and I value his dedication to the department and community not just on those two days, but on every day,” Westborough Police Chief Jeffrey Lourie said. “My entire staff and the first responders in Westborough – police, firefighters, paramedics and dispatchers – all worked together to make sure these medical calls had a positive outcome. Westborough is a special place, and I am honored to be the police chief here and work with the men and women who keep our community safe.”
Officer Sweeney, who joined the department in the summer of 2021, is the second member of the Westborough Police Department to receive this honor. Sgt. Jon Kalagher received the award in 2020 for saving a woman during a domestic violence call in November 2019.
The TEAM Award was created by Mr. Early in 2019 to recognize public safety employees who go above and beyond the call of duty. Contact the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office at 508-755-8601 to nominate someone for this award.