Winthrop’s Bettano Receives Hanna Award

On November 1, in a ceremony at Worcester’s Mechanics Hall, Governor Charlie Baker, Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, and Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy presented the 39th Annual Trooper George L. Hanna Memorial Awards for Bravery. The Hanna Awards honor the memory of Massachusetts State Police Trooper George Hanna, killed in the line of duty in 1983, and recognize members of law enforcement for exemplary acts of bravery. Among those receiving the award is Winthrop Police Sergeant Nicholas C. Bettano

“There is extraordinary bravery across all of the Commonwealth’s police departments, and the Hanna Awards offer us an opportunity to honor the courageous men and women who protect and serve,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Like Trooper George Hanna, the dedicated women and men in law enforcement perform exceptional work guided by their deeply rooted commitment to helping others, no matter the risk to themselves.”

“Members of our law enforcement community have demonstrated their extraordinary capacity to adapt and evolve to meet the public safety challenges of our time,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “Today’s Hanna Awards remind us that in the most challenging and dangerous situations, police officers embrace the needs of our communities, continually renew their training and place their skilled expertise at the service of all.”

Since 1983, 145 individuals have received the Hanna Award Medal of Honor, the highest honor the Commonwealth bestows on a law enforcement officer. This year’s prestigious award ceremony honored 32 recipients, hailing from Worcester, Winthrop, Wakefield, Brockton, Braintree, Boston, and the Massachusetts State Police Departments.

“The stories of today’s Hanna Award recipients illustrate the extraordinary bravery required in this profession,” Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy said. “As we honor these men and women today, we also express our gratitude to their loved ones who know too well the absence of their loved one at the dinner table, on a holiday, or at a school event, the families who endure the weight of uncertainty until he or she returns home safely from a shift.”

Each year, local and state agencies submit Hanna Award applications, which are reviewed by a committee of public safety and law enforcement executives. Upon selecting individuals or teams as recipients, the committee considers the facts of each nomination to classify the award as either a medal of honor or valor. Honor is the highest award for those who demonstrate extraordinary bravery and courage in the face of extreme risk and certain and imminent danger to life or limb. Valor is awarded to those whose valor in a single incident goes above and beyond the call of duty, and who demonstrate selfless bravery despite the potential for danger to themselves.

On Saturday, February 26, 1983, Trooper George Hanna conducted a motor vehicle stop in Auburn. Three men and two women were in the vehicle, and when Trooper Hanna removed the occupants for questioning, he was instantaneously shot six times by one of the male suspects. He died later that evening in a Worcester hospital, leaving behind his wife, Marilyn, and three children, Deborah, Kimberly, and Michael. Deborah and Kimberly participated in today’s program, presenting each award alongside Governor Baker.

In addition to the Medals of Honor and Valor, the Selection Committee reviewed a special event for which they recognized a 34-year veteran of the Massachusetts State Police, retired Trooper David L. Green, posthumously.

On June 26, 2021, Green heard a large truck crash near his home in the Town of Winthrop. With no regard for his personal safety, Green left the safety of his home to render aid. Turning into an alley next to his house, Green immediately encountered a deeply disturbed, armed gunman. Unarmed and a black man himself, Green confronted the suspect in an attempt to end the threat he posed to the community. During the confrontation, the suspect fatally shot Green. Although actions outside of formal duty as a retired law enforcement officer do not meet the Hanna Award criteria, the committee unanimously agreed that David Green epitomized exceptional bravery and disregard for his safety in the face of grave danger.

The local 2022 Hanna Award recipient and incident summaries is as follows:

• Sergeant Nicholas C. Bettano, Winthrop Police Department — Medal of Honor

 Sergeant Bettano was dispatched to the Winthrop motor vehicle accident that resulted in a stolen truck being left abandoned after the crash into the side of a building. While en route, Sergeant Bettano also received a report of gunfire.

One block from the reported accident, Sergeant Bettano rendered aid and protection to a woman lying in the middle of the road with serious gunshot injuries. A witness yelled to alert Bettano that the gunman was one block behind him carrying a firearm. Moving toward the subject, Bettano ordered the subject numerous times to drop the weapon as he took cover behind a parked car. The suspect raised his firearm and pointed it at Sergeant Bettano who returned fire, striking the subject.

Sergeant Bettano, without any regard for his safety, rendered aid to a gunshot victim, engaged the threat, and took appropriate action. Although two victims died because of fatal gunshot injuries, Sergeant Bettano’s brave action saved countless lives that terrible day.