Winthrop’s Joyce Recognized for Commitment to Safety and Security

Special to the Transcript

The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) has awarded Winthrop resident Michael Joyce with the Authority’s “Logan Stars” award. The award honors non-Massport employees at Boston Logan International Airport who exemplify the highest level of customer service and/or perform acts of courage in their roles.

Joyce is a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Supervisory Transportation Security Officer (STSO) at Logan Airport. In September of 2021, Joyce and his colleague were informed that a young woman was being assaulted by a male counterpart near the checkpoint in Terminal E. When they arrived at the scene, no further contact occurred between the parties involved and Massachusetts State Police was notified. Joyce documented the names and contact information of witnesses and gathered physical evidence, which was then provided to the authorities. Joyce and his colleague explained the situation to the Massachusetts State Police and identified the two individuals involved in the altercation. The male individual was ultimately placed under arrest by authorities.

The “Logan Star” award recognizes contributions of non-Massport employees at Boston Logan in one or more categories:

• Providing exceptional customer service;

• Engaging in an act of bravery and/or heroism;

• Improving safety or security;

• Increasing operational efficiency or excellence in a way that benefits the Logan community; and

• Creating innovations or new work processes that benefit the Logan community as a whole.

 Joyce received the award during the 17th Annual Massport S.A.F.E. and Logan Stars Ceremony held Tuesday, January 10.  The ceremony, which highlights Massport’s commitment to safety and security, recognized over 30 employees for their contributions to keeping the airport safe and secure. Joyce has worked for TSA since 2004.

The event featured 44th Commissioner of the Boston Police Department Michael Cox as the keynote speaker. Cox most recently served as the Chief of Police of the Ann Arbor Police Department in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Prior to his appointment to that position in 2019, Cox was a 30-year veteran of the Boston Police Department, last serving as Bureau Chief and Superintendent of the Bureau of Professional Development, overseeing the Boston Police Academy, the Firearms Training Unit, the Police Cadet Unit, recruit training and in-service training for all sworn Boston Police personnel.

Joyce is a 1999 graduate of the Northeast Regional Police Institute. He currently resides in Winthrop and is a father to three daughters; Gianna (20), Allie (15) and Maureen (8).