Middlesex Sheriff’s Officer Robert Wright was recognized October 4 by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security and the corrections community for his heroic efforts while off-duty following a double shooting in June 2012.

Officer Wright, of Medford, was presented with the Medal of Valor at the Massachusetts Correctional Employee of the Year Awards Ceremony at the State House. He was one of several corrections professionals honored from across the state.

A trained Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Officer Wright was at a park in Cambridge on June 3, 2012 when he heard gunfire erupt nearby. Running towards the sound of the gunshots, Officer Wright found a fatally wounded teenager and immediately began performing CPR. He continued his efforts until Cambridge rescue personnel arrived on scene and relieved him. A second wounded teen was attended to by additional rescue personnel.

“Unarmed and off-duty, Officer Wright responded to a highly dangerous and unfolding incident not knowing who – or what – he would find,” said Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian. “His actions that evening were extraordinary and exemplify the very best of those in the corrections field.”

Earlier this year, Officer Wright was also recognized by both the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office and the Cambridge Police Department for his actions during this incident. Officer Wright was presented with the Humanitarian Award at the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office 2013 Employee Recognition Ceremony in May and was presented with the Allen McPherson Citizens Services Award by the City of Cambridge Police in June.

Celebrate the DIY ethos Saturday at the Mini-Maker Faire in Union Square. Come by from 3 to 7 p.m. to see some of the cool things being made in Somerville and maybe pick up a skill or two that will turn you into a maker. Oh, and watch out for robots. http://bit.ly/15OEAqd

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Send us your favorite photos to Wmtauro@bostonnewsgroup.com to be posted here live on Thesomervillenewsweekly.com for the world to see!

The Beyond the Call of Duty Award was formed to recognize an individual that exc…eeded expectations usually for a specific act. In an exceptionally rare circumstance do you identify an individual, such as Deputy Chief Paul Upton, who has gone above and beyond the call of duty on a daily basis for the past 30 years. Deputy Paul Upton started his career in 1983 with the Somerville Police Department and has held almost every position within the Department. Deputy Upton has received numerous awards and accolades during his years of service and has served as a mentor to law enforcement officers throughout the state. Deputy Upton is perhaps best recognized for his commitment to Homeland Security and recognized as a leader in this area. Deputy Upton has been the primary source behind the establishment of the Emergency Operations Center and his leadership has been tested and proven during a number of potential catastrophic events. The Department wishes Deputy Upton the best in his retirement and the community thanks him for his 30 years of service which were well beyond the call of duty.
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Thomas Pasquarello, Chief of Police

On Oct. 5th, a public art tour celebrates our new public art map! 

Thanks to Emily Bhargava and Alison Frazzini, we have a spanking new interactive public art map, sponsored by the city, the Arts Council and Shape Up Somerville. Check it out and find out where the goggled man is below. And if there is public art you know about but isn’t on the map, just snap a photo of it and add it to the map. We want this map to grow!

On Sat, Oct. 5th there will be a public art tour that begins at 10am in East Somerville. All the details here

By William Tauro

On Thursday evening, Middlesex County Register of Deeds, Maria Curtatone hosted a fundraising event at the Independent Restaurant in Union Square Somerville.

Friends, relatives supporters, elected officials as well as candidates for office from five different surrounding cities and towns came to Somerville to show their support for the South Middlesex County Register of Deeds Maria Curtatone.

Maria Curtatone was elected to office last September and has successfully completed her first year in office as register.

Curtatone’s office is located at the Middlesex County Registry of Deeds/ Probate Courthouse in East Cambridge and her office consists of a six-year term.

By William Tauro

Thursday evening’s Somerville Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours Event at Orleans Restaurant in Davis Square was another big Chamber success!

Chamber members, guests of members and new newcomers enjoyed the evening in Davis Square as they had a wonderful networking opportunity to meet other local business representative from within the Somerville business community.

The Somerville Chamber of Commerce “Business After Hours” event happens every first Thursday of the month in a different local business location within the City of Somerville.

This month’s event was sponsored by Great Hill Dental of Holland Street in Somerville!