Harwich Officer Gets National Recognition

 HARWICH – The police officer who rescued a victim from a flaming vehicle after a roll-over accident on Queen Anne Road in November has been recognized for his bravery by a national organization. 

Officer Thomas G. Griffiths was named Officer of the Month by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

Since 1996, the organization has honored a deserving officer each month at the local, state and federal level, men and women the group determines have gone above and beyond the call of duty.   

“I was very surprised, it’s pretty surreal,” Griffiths said.

 On Nov. 18, officer Griffiths reached into the backseat and freed the trapped victim, a teenage girl, pulling her out of the vehicle just as the vehicle became fully engulfed. Officer Griffiths moved the victim away from the vehicle and was able to apply a tourniquet to the girl’s leg, which had been seriously injured in the crash, according to the citation.

“These officers are heroes, and their actions serve to highlight the countless acts of valor that often go unnoticed and without the recognition or fanfare such acts deserve,” said William Alexander, CEO of the organization. “We are humbled and proud to honor Officer Griffiths as Officer of the Month for November 2024.” 

 Officer Griffiths' father, retired Boston Police Officer Thomas Griffiths Sr., received the same honor in July 1998. 

 In a ceremony held by the select board earlier this month, Police Chief Kevin Considine presented Griffiths with a department’s Medal for Distinguished Service for his efforts and the bravery displayed in rescuing the teenage girl from the burning vehicle. Due to Griffiths’ decisive actions, “you saved the life of another. You demonstrated the true meaning of bravery and dedication to duty,” Considine said. 

The last time the department’s Medal for Distinguished Service was issued was 13 years ago, according to Considine.

 In addition to recognition in their own communities, Officer of the Month award recipients are honored at a special awards reception each year in Washington, D.C., and are featured in the Memorial Fund’s annual calendar.

 Griffiths said the annual ceremony honoring officers will be in September.

 The mission of the NLEMF is to honor the fallen, tell the story of American law enforcement and make it safer for those who serve. Each year the names of fallen officers are engraved on memorial walls in Washington, D. C