Officers win awards for bravery

BOSTON - A Springfield patrolman on Monday won the state's highest Hanna award for police bravery after he survived a nearly fatal stabbing by a 14-year-old boy with mental health problems.

During a ceremony in Boston, Springfield Patrolman Kevin P. Fitzgerald, 46, was among five police officers from around the state to receive a medal of honor for performing beyond the call of duty in the face of serious danger.

Springfield Patrolman Thomas R. Liebel, 52, received the medal of valor, the second highest award. Liebel and Fitzgerald arrested the teenager after the knife attack on Feb. 6, 2008.

"I'm humbled to be recognized by the committee and very grateful for Tom Liebel for being there when I needed him," Fitzgerald said after the ceremony at the Statehouse in Boston.

Fitzgerald said Liebel saved his life. He said his award shows the danger faced by police officers.

Fitzgerald, who was back on duty two months after the attack, said he was "extremely lucky" to survive after he was stabbed once in the chest near his heart.

"You look down and see the scar," he said when asked how near the wound came to his heart. "It's close enough."He spent two days in the hospital.

Liebel subdued and handcuffed the teenager after he stabbed Fitzgerald with what appeared to be a type of kitchen knife. Police didn't know he had a knife when they responded, Liebel said.

"I take it has an honor for the Springfield police department," said Liebel. "Any one of us would have done the same thing."

Liebel said the police were lucky.

"Thank God, it wasn't a bigger knife," he said.

Springfield Deputy Police Chief Kevin M. Dudley attended the ceremony and praised Fitzgerald and Liebel afterward.

"When we do recruiting, these are the kinds of guys we look for," Dudley said. "They are outstanding at what they do."

The annual awards are named after State Police Trooper George L. Hanna, who was killed in the line of duty on Feb. 26, 1983, in Auburn.

Police from Boston, Brockton, Framingham and Revere also won medals of honor.

In all, 27 municipal officers and one state trooper were recognized at the ceremony.

"I congratulate the Hanna award recipients and thank them sincerely for their service," said Gov. Deval L. Patrick, who attended the event. "These brave public servants have confronted extraordinary circumstances with courage and compassion and made our communities better."