8/14/2019 Feb. 2010 Trooper Newspaper
5/9
TPR. JAIME CEPERO
Tpr. Jaime Cepero of theNarcotics Section/DEATask Forcehas been
the case officer/under-cover officer in an international
nar-cotics/money laundering investiga-tion since 2004. Tpr. Cepero
has
been involved in extremely com-plex undercover negotiations
withmoney launders and narcotics traf-fickers of the highest level
in multi-ple countries, both remotely andface to face.
As a result of Tpr. Ceperos inno-vative investigative methods,
the
still ongoing investigation hasresulted in the seizure of
approxi-mately $190,000,000. Al ong withthe money, approximately
888 kilo-grams of Cocaine, 45 kilograms ofheroin, and 350 pounds of
marijua-na has been seized. Additionally,the investigation has been
the
basis for the initiation of approxi-mately 74 wiretap
investigationsthroughout the world.
As a result of Tpr. Ceperosactions, he was awarded theBulldog of
the Year Award for 2009at the Annual Meeting on January7, 2010.
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AATTENTIONTTENTION SPSPAMAM MEMBERSMEMBERS
February 2009 Our Purpose is Progress Trooper Our Goal is
Excellence Page 9Page 8 Our Purpose is Progress Trooper Our Goal is
Excellence February 2009
On January 7, 2009 I had the distinct honorto
be awarded the Bulldog of the Year and
although I had a bit of a heads up I found
myselfstandingthere unableto formulate a response
otherthan thankyou. Ifyou knowme at allyou know
thatI amnottheshytype orlackcomment on anysub-
ject. Specially asin the words ofDana Pullman when
I have watered down a bit. AsIsatin the back ofthe
room and listen to the rest of the meeting, I looked
around and the meaning ofthe award increased in my
heart notforthereason it wasgiven to me butthefactthat it was
recognition from my brother and sister
Troopers. NothingthatI did would have been possible
without thegreat policework and courage ofmany
police officersin myDEAGroup, police officerslocal-
ly, throughout the country and in foreign countries.
Federal agents including DEA agents Brian Dejoy,
John Oldano and DennisHocker who have been an
equal partnerthroughouttheyears. The Colombian
NationalPolicewho dayin and day outtheir members
die performingtasks on our behalf, I have had a great
honor ofgettingto know these men and women, their
families and been accepted as a colleague and a friend.
ButIwas particularly proud oftherolemany Troopers
hadin the past andcurrentsuccess oftheinvestigation,
they deserve as much recognition and honor. Troopers
Richard R idlon and Patricia R iley performed great
undercover work at the beginning of this case, Sgt
Bazzinottiwho as a Trooper armed with a license plate
a name and a possibleroute oftravelsatfor 8 hours
overnight and found a needlein the haystack with 15
pounds ofcocaine. The numerousstops and seizures
bySgtKane, Sgt McCarthy and the most important
factthatit allstarted with a StatePoliceinvestigation
initiated by Sgt Michael Grassia in the streets of
Chelsea fr
om a single handto hand pu
r
chase(whichhe made me do as he often talks meinto).
ManytimesI or otherTroopers assigned to DEA
have called upon Troopers in various, Investigative
Units throughout the state for assistance and it has
always been provided with thesame professionalism
and determination ofsuccess. Even moreimpressive,
in a pinch when we have always been ableto pick up
the phoneto any barracks patrol orK-9 unit on duty
and with minimalinformation ask a single Trooperto
perform atacticalstop in furtherance oftheinvestiga-
tion. I have neverreceived anything butenthusiasm
and witnessed nothing lessthan courage and profes-
sionalism asthey performthetask.
That speaks of the heart of a Trooper and the
Professionalism, Pride and Courage of the
MassachusettsStatePolice. All ofthese acts and indi-
vidualsand many othersthatit would betoo longto
list, overtheyearsgave us the abilityto mount this
complicated casewhich is still moving forward and
made meextremely proud to be a Trooper. Each and
every one ofthem has and will always havemyrespect.
Lastly, I would not have been ableto do anything
on thisjob withoutthe one man thatgave birth to me
atSPFoxboro and taught methe meaning ofbeing a
PoliceOfficer
and Tr
ooper
. Tr
ooper
(nowLieutenan
t-
neversaw thatcoming) Dave Raetaught meallI need-
ed to know and I oweto him anysuccessthatI have
ever had on theStatePolice. Davetaughtmethatin
law enforcement the one thing that means the most
and Ishould valuethe mostistherespectearned from
those whostand byyourside. I am honored, humbled
and deeplytouched bythis award, but moreovergreat-
ly honored because it came from you my fellow
Troopers.
ThankYou, StaySafe.
TROOPER JAIME CEPERO JR.
65RTT
TROOPER JAIME CEPERO
BULLDOGOF THE Y E A R
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~THANK YOU FROM JAIME CEPERO
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The following narrative was read at the
award ceremony to honor Staff Sergeant
Timothy J. Walsh for receiving the Army
Commendation Medal for Valor.
Staff Sergeant Timothy J. Walsh, UnitedStates Army, heroically
distinguished him-
self by exceptionally valorous conduct in
the face of the enemy while sewing as the
Engineer Sergeant, Operational
Detachment Alpha (ODA) - 9211, Special
Operations Task Force (SOTF)-92,Firebase MeS, Mazaar-e Shariff,
Balkh
Province, Afghanistan, in support of
Operation ENDURING FREEDOM on 21
May 2009. Sergeant Walsh was attached to
ODA-3 121 in support of Operation
Phoenix. He, along with his detachmentoccupied a position
overlooking the Chak
valley in the Wardak Province. Sergeant
Walsh was assigned to the security element
of an 84-man Commando task force. The
ODA collapsing its perimeter began to
establish a patrol base. Sergeant Walshmoved his element to the
southern most
portion of a spur overlooking the Chak val-
ley to provide security for the entire task
force to the south. The task force came
under small arms fire from a squad size ele-
ment with a heavy machine gun and AK-47s to the north. Within
minutes it was fol-lowed by very effective, grazing fire from a
heavy machine gun firing from the valley
to the southwest. His entire security ele-
ment of Commandos was caught in a kill
zone of effective and overwhelming fire.
Most Commandos ran from the fire head-
ing north while the security position to thesoutheast was
effectively pinned down.
Sergeant Walsh, knowing the position was
manned by his security element, immedi-
ately stood up, and without regard for his
own personal safety bounded down the
spur to the heavily engaged position. Hethen provided covering
fire with his rifle
and grenade launcher while the
Commandos manning the position maneu-
vered to the north. The safe evacuation of
the Commando position complete,
Sergeant Walsh prepared to move back upthe spur to the north
when he noticed his
teammate dragging a commando with a life
threatening gunshot wound. Without hesi-
tation, knowing his teammate was in need
of covering fire, Sergeant Walsh immedi-
ately took up an exposed firing positionand again provided a
high volume of cov-
ering fire. The enemy maneuvered and
began firing from the southeast. Sergeant
Walsh continued to man the position until
his teammate and the wounded Commando
were behind cover, and he had exhaustedhis 40 millimeter grenade
supply. SergeantWalsh then bounded back to the top of the
spur and rejoined the rest of his element.
His element was now taking very effective
fire from two directions, from two machine
guns. His element was pinned down and
unable to maneuver offensively. The deci-
sion was made to break contact As
Sergeant Walsh began to get his security
element ready to break contact, the enemywas still aggressively
and effectively firing
machine guns from the southeast and
southwest. Sergeant Walsh, again without
regard to his personal safety, stood and
motivated his Commandos, to fire and
maneuver and get out of the kill zone. His
actions are in keeping with the finest tradi-
tions of military heroism and reflect dis-
tinct credit upon himself, the Combined
Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan, Special
Operations Command
Central, and the United States Army.
Trooper Timothy Walsh receives Army Commendation Medal for
Valor
(Submitted Photo)
(L-R) Jason Luppold, SFC; Tim Walsh, SSG; Gregory Kelly,
SFC.______________________________________________________
8/14/2019 Feb. 2010 Trooper Newspaper
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Page 16 Our Purpose is Progress Trooper Our Goal is Excellence
February 2009
When your business is on the line
S.P.A.M. Web Site & Internet Service donated by
TROOPER SPORTS
!""Boxing Update - pg. 11
OOn December 1, 2009 inChelmsford, Tpr. Wayne J.Gerhardt was on
a paid
detail on Route 3, Standing Tall.Around 10:30 A.M. a motor
vehicle
nearly struck Tpr. Gerhardt and thenknocked over several cones
whileswerving into the breakdown lane.The vehicle then struck two
workersstanding at the rear of a truck,killing one of the workers
instantly.The second worker suffered a trau-matic amputation of one
of his legs.
Tpr. Gerhardt administered firstaid to the injured worker,
includ-ing applying a tourniquet to thesevered limb. The victim
wasthen air-lif ted to Beth Israel
Hospital in Boston, where accord-ing to attending physicians,
theactions of Tpr. Gerhardt con-tributed to the overall survival
of
the victim.The victim requested a meeting
with Tpr. Gerhardt to thank him forhis actions. Tpr. Gerhardt
visited
the victim in the hospital. For hisheroic actions, Tpr. Gerhardt
isthe recipient of this monthsBulldog of the Month Award.
TPR. WAYNE J. GERHARDT
BULLDOGOF THE MO NT H
BOXINGBITSThe nextM.S.P. boxing showwill be held in
SpringfieldonApril 7th at 1900 hours at theusual
venue . That's theplacewheretheyheld the last 3
shows and Ican't remember itsname. Thisshow
will beafundraiserfortheGirlsClubofSpringfieldandwith this
inmind Ihope toseeseveralwoman
Troopers fightingon thiscard tobene fit thisworthy
cause. I am also looking forward to seeing theBerkshire Buzzsaw
along with tough Tpr. GregSpahlandthetalentedTpr.Galvinonthecard.
Tpr.
BigTimWhalennowinDTroop
promisedmeonefightthiscomingyearsoIfullyexpecthimtohonor
hisword and be on the card. He's always come
throughinthepastsoIknowhewillnotletmedown.I'llfillintheblanksonthiscardaswegetalittleclos-
er,Godwilling,wedohaveanother 4 months.
FISTICFLASHBACKInaConvictsvs.Troopersmatchheldin 1979 at
theWarwickPrisonCamp(it'sclosednow),wemadethe longhikeupnorth
and swapped lea therwith 3
pretty toughguys. Theprison
camphadaboxinggymthatwouldmakeMuhammadAlijealous. One
oftheinmateswasanartistandhadpaintedabeau-
tifulpictureofSugarRayLeonardfighting
uponthewallbehindtheboxingring.
TotheF ights.
Tpr.MikeLeeofSP B rookfieldfoughtatall,
rangyguywhowasastickandmoveartistinthe
MSP BoxingUpdate
_________________
By Tpr. Bob Benoit58th R.T.T. (Ret.)_________________
!""Boxing Update -
Continued on pg. 15
Fourth Annual MSP LawEnforcement XC Challenge
Another Huge Success!Thisyea rsracewasthebes
tever.HeldattheWrentham
Deve lopmentalCenteronNovember 14th,theturnoutwas
grea t.A recordfieldof 145 runnerstraversedthe 5K(3.1mile)MSTCA
CrossCountrycourseinthetownofWrentham.Overallwinnerinasmokingtimeof
17:22.7 was
TimMahoney(brothertoTpr.BrianMahoney,H-3).Thefirst
femaletocrossthefinishlinewasAbbyMahoney(wifeofTimandsisterinlawofBrian)inatimeof
19:12.3.TopCops
wereTpr.BrendanDoleoftheRISP inatimeof 18:00.5 and
Tpr.JoyYonkinoftheRISP inatimeof 19:35.5.We llDone!
TopLawEnforcementteamwastheMSP withteammem-
bersCollinKnaub,RobertSmith,andBrianGaviolihe lping
towintheteamtitle.Aftertheracetherewasacookoutwith
plentyoffoodandcoldliquidbeverages.A grea ttimewas
hadbyallwhoattendedandthankstoallwhodidattendand
he lpedputonthisfunMSP outing.Hopetosee younex t
yea r.Thanks,PaulPowell.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
(Top)Theyareoffandrunn ing.
(Above ,left-inse t)TeamCaptainLt. BillCoultergivesthe
MSP teamsomelastminutecoaching
(Above ,left)Tpr.KevinCollins(H-3)putsinanotherout-
standingeffort.WellDone!
(Le ft)Tpr.BrendanDoleoftheRISP crossesthefinishline
asthisyearsTopCop.
