Sheriff Koutoujian Recognizes Employee's Outstanding Work

Earlier this week, Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian recognized employees in the department for their outstanding work and service during the previous years, according to a press statement.

The event was held in Billerica on May 7, to coincide with National Correctional Officers Week, a nationally held recognition of employees since the mid-1980s.

Koutoujian said that all of the department’s employees, from nurses and substances abuse counselors to deputies and correctional officers work to keep the county’s communities safe.

“While they seek no credit for the vital role they play in ensuring public safety, they deserve our thanks,” he noted.

The following employees were recognized for their service:

• Officer of the Year for the Middlesex Jail was presented to Sgt. Eric Costello.
• Officer of the Year for the Middlesex House of Correction was presented to Sgt. Christopher Foley.  
• Superior Officer of the Year for the Middlesex Jail was presented to Capt. Gary Freker.
• Superior Officer of the Year for the Middlesex House of Correction was Capt. John Cormier.
• Deputy Laurie Aufiero of the Civil Enforcement Unit was honored with the Deputy Sheriff Award.

According to a press statement, others honored included Officer Kevin McWatters and his wife, Karen, who presented with one of four Humanitarian Awards for their efforts to help “a teenage girl from El Salvador come to the United States to receive medical care and be fitted for a prosthetic after losing a leg when she was struck by a drag racer.”

Officers Sean Lee and Jonathan Persson were presented with the National Sheriffs’ Association Medal of Valor “for their actions in preventing a pre-trial detainee from escaping during a medical trip to the Mass. Eye & Ear Infirmary last July.” Persson was wounded in the escape attempt and also received the Purple Heart. Previously, they were both presented with Medals of Valor.