AWARD RECIPIENTS and presenters line up for a photo Saturday morning at American Legion Post 202 in Topsham. From left are Deputy Steven Thibeault, Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Department; Sgt. Frederick Dunn, Topsham Police Department; Trooper Ricci Cote, Maine State Police Troop B; Secretary of State Charlie Summers; Trooper Scott Quintero, Maine State Police Troop D; Sgt. David Hall, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department; Glendon Bordas, Topsham Fire and Rescue Department; and Communications Supervisor Sonia Moeller, Brunswick Police Department. Not pictured are Brunswick firefighters Shawn Larrabee and John Faith.
The annual event honors individuals from Brunswick and Topsham police and fire departments, Sagadahoc County and Cumberland County sheriff ’s departments, and Maine State Police Troop B and Troop D. Helping pass out awards were guest speaker Secretary of State Charlie Summers and Department Commander of the American Legion of Maine Brenda Dearborn.
Legionnaire Gil Ormsby of Harpswell, who started the tradition of the law enforcement breakfast, was honored Saturday with a certificate of appreciation.
Ormsby said that when he started the program 40 years ago, he was familiar with the Brunswick Police Department, “when Billy Edwards was the only chief and Frank Carver was the only chief in Topsham, and very few people recognized what they did, so this was why I started this program. And little did I know that it would go on for 40 years.”
Summers, a veteran, said members of the military often receive thanks after serving oversees, which he understands and appreciates.
“But when you think about what law enforcement does every single day,” Summers said. “When you think about the number of domestic abuse cases that these men and women deal with; when you think about the number of homicides that they deal with; when you think about the bath salts epidemic in Bangor; when you think about the robberies that you’re seeing … (who ensures that veterans returning from overseas deployments) come back to enjoy what we enjoy as Americans every single day. And that’s because of these men and women… So for that, I thank you very much.”
Receiving awards and certificates Saturday were Deputy Steven Thibeault of the Sagadahoc County Sheriff ’s Department, Sgt. Frederick Dunn of the Topsham Police Department, firefighter Glendon Bordas of the Topsham Fire and Rescue Department, firefighters John Faith and Shawn Larrabee of the Brunswick Fire Department, Communications Supervisor Sonia Moeller of the Brunswick Police Department, Trooper Ricci Cote of Maine State Police Troop B, Trooper Scott Quintero of Maine State Police Troop D, and Sgt. David Hall of the Cumberland County Sheriff ’s Department.
Members of Boy Scout Troop 202 from Topsham arrived at 5 a.m. to prepare breakfast, which Boy Scouts Max Negley, Max Johnstone, Teddy Temple, Ryan Bradstreet and Garrett Gelwick then served to all the local firefighters and police who attended the ceremony.
dmoore@timesrecord.com
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