Middlesex Sheriff’s Officer Robert Wright Receives Medal of Valor

Middlesex Sheriff’s Officer Robert Wright was recognized October 4 by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security and the corrections community for his heroic efforts while off-duty following a double shooting in June 2012.

Officer Wright, of Medford, was presented with the Medal of Valor at the Massachusetts Correctional Employee of the Year Awards Ceremony at the State House. He was one of several corrections professionals honored from across the state.

A trained Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Officer Wright was at a park in Cambridge on June 3, 2012 when he heard gunfire erupt nearby. Running towards the sound of the gunshots, Officer Wright found a fatally wounded teenager and immediately began performing CPR. He continued his efforts until Cambridge rescue personnel arrived on scene and relieved him. A second wounded teen was attended to by additional rescue personnel.

“Unarmed and off-duty, Officer Wright responded to a highly dangerous and unfolding incident not knowing who – or what – he would find,” said Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian. “His actions that evening were extraordinary and exemplify the very best of those in the corrections field.”

Earlier this year, Officer Wright was also recognized by both the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office and the Cambridge Police Department for his actions during this incident. Officer Wright was presented with the Humanitarian Award at the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office 2013 Employee Recognition Ceremony in May and was presented with the Allen McPherson Citizens Services Award by the City of Cambridge Police in June.

– Information and photo from Middlesex Sheriff Peter Koutoujian’s office