Officers, troopers honored for service during Chicopee standoff

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - The Chicopee Police Department honored nine city police officers and three Massachusetts state troopers Tuesday.

Tuesday’s ceremony came nearly two months since 41-year-old Carlos Laguer opened fire outside of 102 West Street; injuring State Trooper John Vasquez before turning the gun on himself.

It was the first time Trooper Vasquez was seen in public speaking to the media since he was shot in the hand and leg.  He told 22News he has six weeks of therapy on his hand and has been "counting the days until he's back at work."

Trooper Vasquez was one of four awarded the Medal of Valor, the department's highest honor.

"I happened to be first in line," Vasquez said. "I didn't even get halfway through the intersection. That's when my cruiser started taking gunfire."

Despite the high honors, it was a somber scene inside the Castle of Knights Hall in Chicopee as dozens of police officers and state troopers wore black straps around their badges in remembrance of 36-year Springfield Police veteran Kevin Ambrose, who lost his life on Monday after being shot twice while responding to a call at a Sixteen Acres apartment complex.

"How lucky is he (Vasquez) to return to his family and his fellow brothers in blue," said Chicopee Mayor Michael Bissonnette. "And that is more poignant today after yesterday's events.”

Chicopee police Officer David Benoit, Officer John Jusino, and Trooper Keller Williams all received the Medal of Valor.