KINGSTON, R.I. — Sept. 9, 2019 — In the last year, two University of Rhode Island police officers saved someone’s life, while two campus patrol persons pulled a man from a burning dumpster in Providence. In addition, a URI police officer, a URI emergency management staff member and a South Kingstown paramedic trained key personnel in the national Stop the Bleed program.

These were just a few of the examples of excellence highlighted recently during URI’s Annual Public Safety Awards ceremony. Fellow officers and staff members, family and friends applauded as Public Safety Director Stephen Baker and Police Maj. Michael Jagoda presented awards to 11 members of the URI community and a South Kingstown paramedic.

“The award ceremony is always a highlight for the men and women who work in public safety at the University,” said Baker. “These individuals demonstrate to our campus community that we have talented, decisive and compassionate officers and staff members. I am proud to lead such a dedicated team.”

Jagoda added that University police officers are leaders in numerous areas, including active-shooter training for civilians and law enforcement, mental health training and response, use of highly trained dogs for firearms and explosives detection and bicycle patrol work.

“I encourage all of the officers and staff honored here tonight to take pride in your accomplishments and to celebrate them with your colleagues and families,” Jagoda said. “You are examples of the best URI Public Safety and Police have to offer our dynamic and diverse University. Congratulations to all of you, and I look forward to continue working with you to make our team a national leader.”

The awards and their recipients are:

2019 Lifesaving Medal: Sgt. Bruce Atwell and Police Officer Anthony Brito for their actions in the case of an unresponsive individual believed to be suffering from a drug overdose. “Thanks to the efforts of these two officers, the individual was fully revived (at the scene) with additional treatment at South County Hospital,” the citation says. “Therefore we congratulate these two officers on their quick actions and efforts in saving this person’s life. Without their actions, the outcome could have been tragic.”

2019 Meritorious Service: Police Officer Anthony Brito for his actions in response to a person believed to be suffering from a mental health crisis. The citation says that Brito diffused a “dangerous situation and took control without having to use force, and that the individual received the help he needed. Officer Brito showed superior judgment and perseverance during a highly difficult and stressful encounter.”

2019 Recipients of Medals for Outstanding Service

• Police Officer Michael DiIorio for his great work ethic and dedication in protecting the campus environment. During the past year, he has investigated incidents, made arrests and issued citations. He is self-motivated and always willing to help those in need.
• Police Officer Paul Hanrahan, Campus Preparedness Officer Robert Lloyd and South Kingstown Paramedic Francesco Capaldi Sr. for their efforts in training campus police officers in the national Stop the Bleed program, a grassroots initiative designed to educate, equip and empower first responders to save lives in situations where catastrophic bleeding is occurring. As the lead instructor for civilian active shooter training on campus, Hanrahan learned that gunshot victims in mass attacks often bleed to death because medical help is delayed. Wishing to add this element to active shooter training and after being trained in the program, he met with Lloyd, who is assigned to URI Emergency Management. The former Tiverton fire chief, Hanrahan and Capaldi spent weeks planning and bringing the training to the URI Police Department in a short period. The citation said, “They are commended for planning, coordinating and implementing this training, as well as dedicating their own time to make sure this training meets the needs of our personnel.”
• Campus Patrol Persons Kevin Myette and Roland Benoit for pulling a man from a dumpster that had caught fire in the Clemence Street alley near the Providence Campus in February. When Myette and Benoit went outside, they saw a dumpster surrounded by fire and an individual inside it. Myette called 911 and Benoit removed a propane tank that was next to the fire. The two then helped the individual out of the dumpster and away from the fire. He was turned over to Providence police and fire personnel. The officers’ quick actions prevented a tragedy.

2019 Officer of The Year: Police Officer Michael Intrieri has worked for the URI Police Department for about two-and-a-half years. His work on cases has played a direct role in keeping the campus community safe. His willingness and commitment to initiate sometimes difficult and time-consuming investigations is a credit to his character and professionalism. Officer Intrieri is a great asset to the URI Police Department and the University community.

2019 Public Safety Employee of the Year: Gail Hooks for her exceptional commitment,

dedication and excellence in performance of her duties. Public Safety Director Stephen Baker and Transportation and Parking Director Joe Paradise said Hooks brings a smile and a pleasant demeanor to her dealings with individuals facing challenges with URI parking and traffic. Her ability to calm those who are angry and emotional makes her a great ambassador for the University. Hired by URI in 1979 as a residence hall security officer, she has been a campus patrol person since 2000. She graduated from the Rhode Island Security Academy in 2004 and she created the Campus Watch Program. She lives in Charlestown.

2019 Certificate of Appreciation: Campus Patrol Person Roy Riley, Jr. for 31 years of

dedicated service to the University of Rhode Island and the Department of Public Safety.

Riley was hired as a public property officer in 1988.  He was promoted to Campus Patrol Person and has been a parking enforcement officer for most of his career. For the past several years, he has been assigned to the night shift where he checked parking lots, locked buildings and provided safe rides and jump starts for students, faculty, staff and visitors. He is retiring after 31 years of service. He lives in North Kingstown.

Director Baker Baker and Maj. Jagoda also swore the following officers in their new positions:

University Police Lt. Paul Ricci, University Police Sgt. Bruce Atwell, University Police Officer III Shawn Richards, MIchale Novak, Paul Hanrahan, Salvatore Bugge, Raul Douglas, Jacob Mainoe and Wayne Young, University Police Officer II Lee Peter Podedworny and University Police Officer I Jason Lewis.