York Town News
Local detectives honored for exemplary service
By Jennifer L. Saunders
YORK - They deal with some of the York Police Department's most difficult cases: drugs, assaults, fraud, sexual abuse and deaths.
And this week, they were honored for service, valor and merit with the "Outstanding Commendation Award" from the American Police Hall of Fame.
They are York Police Detectives Tom Cryan and Mark Clifford, and Kittery Detective Steve Hamel.
The three received departmental commendations for their efforts to combat drugs in the Seacoast area, and the three were praised for their unyielding commitment and outstanding personal efforts over the last several years.
"As a police chief, it is particularly comforting to know that when we encounter these types of serious threats, we have trained and capable individuals such as these officers that can be counted on to get the job done," York Police Chief Doug Bracy said. "It is also a very unique partnership that has brought the detectives from the York and Kittery Police Departments together in these collaborative efforts."
Speaking before the Board of Selectmen on Monday, May 7, Bracy praised the detectives of the York Police Department Support Services Division, which is commanded by Capt. Kevin LeConte, for their tireless efforts for the town of York.
This division of three people, Bracy said, has handled four federal cases - three for drugs and one for weapons, 82 combined drug investigations with other agencies such as the Kittery Police Department, 396 adult and juvenile drug offenses, 18 burglaries, two fraud cases that were worth well over $1 million in total, eight stolen vehicles, 54 thefts, 19 sex abuse investigations, 35 sex offender registration checks, six rapes, one Civil Rights violation, five identity fraud cases, 229 juvenile investigations and three deaths. The results have included 117 grand jury indictments.
"That just kind of gives you an idea of what three people can do in the course of a couple of years, which is a lot for our small town of York," Bracy said.
Speaking of the death of a York girl as the result of a heroin overdose, Bracy described the efforts of Cryan, Clifford and Hamel to bring those responsible to justice.
"The tragic death of a 17-year-old York resident due to a heroin overdose in the summer of 2004 helped to galvanize the devotion of these detectives to drug interdiction tasks," Bracy said. "They worked tirelessly with other investigative units in the Seacoast area, and with both state and federal agencies in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts, to do all in their power to bring those to justice who were responsible for this tragedy."
The ability to work cooperatively as a team resulted in the conviction of everyone from the street dealer to the key source, he said.
"The conviction of Scott Fisher was the first successful prosecution of a drug dealer in the state of Maine in the Federal Court system for trafficking drugs that resulted in the death of an individual," Bracy said. "Their extremely effective and reliable performance in this matter brought a successful conclusion to the court case and great praise from Maine U.S. Attorney Paula Silsby and her staff."
Bracy said this is only the second time the department has received one of these national awards in his recollection.
"In addition to the commendations given to these officers, it was as an honor and privilege to award them each with an outstanding achievement award from the American Police Hall of Fame through their affiliation with the National Association of Chiefs of Police," Bracy said.
To put the award in context, Bracy told the selectmen there are about 600,000 law enforcement officers in the country, and only a couple hundred of the awards are given out every year. "I'm very pleased to be able to present these," he said.
Cryan, Clifford and Hamel were greeted with a round of applause from the selectmen and residents at the meeting.
"We have trained and capable individuals, such as each of these, who can be counted on to get the job done," Bracy said.
The National Association of Chiefs of Police Hall of Fame is a nonprofit organization founded in 1960 to honor officers killed in the line of duty and to recognize acts of service within the police profession that deserve recognition as above the call of duty.
"I would also like to express appreciation from Chief Ed Strong in Kittery, myself and members of both police departments for a great team effort," Bracy said. "The information and intelligence gathered from their efforts greatly aided in many of the successful investigations undertaken by both departments."
He added that York and Kittery are very lucky to have such cooperation between the two departments to bring individual talents such as these together for the common good.
"Congratulations to all of you," Selectmen Chairman David Marshall said to Cryan, Clifford and Hamel on behalf of the board, adding, "Thank you very much."
