More than 20 members of the Newton Police Department were honored last week at City Hall for their involvement in the Sept. 26 incident in Newton Centre where a 16-year-old male was spotted with a gun on a Green Line MBTA train.

At a ceremony in the Mayor's office on Thursday, Oct. 11, Interim Police Chief Howard Mintz and Mayor Setti Warren offered commendations and special recognitions related to the arrest of four suspects who are now facing weapons and drugs charges. 

"I think many of us enjoy the comforts of Newton, enjoy all the benefits of it...because it is so safe and because you make it so safe," Mayor Warren said during the ceremony. "When I heard about this I was absolutely thrilled and proud, not only as mayor, but as a citizen."

Commendations were awarded to five officers who came in contact with armed or potentially armed suspects. Special recognitions were awarded to other personnel who provided backup, on-duty patrol supervisors and dispatchers who provided 'vital' radio communications, and off-duty personnel who were working paid detail or who responded on their own to help search for the suspects.

A full list of those who received awards is included below.

According to reports, police responded to Union Street around 7 p.m. on Sept. 26 for reports of a person in possession of a handgun. 

Officers were dispatched after a witness on an outbound Green Line train called police to report someone dropped a handgun on the floor of the train. The witness told police the man who dropped the handgun got off at the Newton Centre stop with another male. 

When police arrived on scene to investigate, they spotted four males flee the area. One of the males, who ran back toward the T stop, reportedly reached into his waistband and discarded an object into a bush

An officer pursued the suspect and found that the suspect had discarded a small automatic loaded handgun, police said.

Officers continued to pursue the suspect and eventually arrested him on Chesley Road. He was identified as a 16-year-old male from Newton. 

After an "extensive search" of Newton Centre, police were able to find and arrest the other three individuals who initially fled.

Two 18-year olds, Joseph German and William Martin, both of 36 Deforest St. in Newton, were charged with possession of a class C substance with intent to distribute and conspiracy, police said. 

The two other Newton males, a 15-year old and a 16-year old, faced "numerous firearm and ammunition charges" as well as charges of conspiracy, police said. The 15-year old is also charged with possession of a dangerous weapon (knife). 

Award recipients

Commendations

Officer David Calderon 

Officer Matthew Colella

Officer Peter Koerber

Officer Derick Siegal (who just joined the department last month)

Officer Ralph Torres

Special recognition

Captain Dennis Dowling

Sergeant Frank Eldridge

Sergeant Dennis Geary

Sergeant George Mead

Sergeant Melanie Rooney

Officer Michael Boudreau

Officer Richard Clements

Officer Charles Edrehi

Officer Justin Lau

Detective Bob Lee

Detective James McCarthy

Officer David Schaefer

Officer Andrew Vello (also joined the department last month)