Everett Police Detective Daniel Wall Jr. received a Medal of Valor at the 43rd annual Trooper George L. Hanna Memorial Awards for Bravery on Wednesday, October 14, in the House chamber at the State House. Gov. Maura Healey presented the awards, which honor Massachusetts officers who “demonstrate extraordinary bravery in the face of extreme risk and imminent danger to life,” the State House News Service reported. Eighteen officers were honored statewide. The Medal of Valor is the second highest of the Hanna honors and goes to officers whose “selfless actions go above and beyond the call of duty during dangerous circumstances.” Mayor Robert Van Campen, Sen. Sal DiDomenico, Rep. Joe McGonigle and members of the department attended, the Everett Police posted. “We commend his bravery, dedication, and commitment to serving and protecting our community,” the department wrote.
What happened on Lower Broadway
The award is for the afternoon of July 31, 2025, when police across the region were chasing a man who had been shoplifting, driving erratically and refusing to stop. The chase came into Everett, where the man crashed his SUV into several vehicles on Lower Broadway near McDonald’s, climbed onto the roof waving a knife, then got back in and drove along the sidewalk until the SUV died near Encore Boston Harbor. He tried to force his way into other cars. State troopers and Everett officers surrounded him and fired tasers after he swung the knife at them. He ran through traffic to a garbage truck stopped at a red light on Route 99 and opened the driver’s door. Wall, fearing for the driver, fired and hit him several times. The man still climbed into the cab and fought the driver. Wall climbed in after him and pulled the driver out. The man drove the truck about half a mile and crashed on the Alford Street Bridge, where Wall and a state trooper arrested him and gave first aid, including a tourniquet on his leg. That account comes from Chief Strong’s remarks and the state’s citation, published by the city.
The city gave Wall its own Medal of Valor at the City Council meeting on May 26. “Seeing this, Detective Wall immediately and without any regard for his own safety and without hesitation jumped up into the cab of the truck and was able to pull the driver to safety,” Chief Strong said then. He added that one of Wall’s first questions afterward was about the condition of both the driver and the suspect. “This honor is reserved for those who demonstrate extraordinary bravery in the face of danger,” Van Campen said at that ceremony. “Detective Wall exemplifies everything this award stands for.”
Nine new firefighters
The City Council swore in nine new Everett firefighters on Tuesday, October 13, in the council chambers, with Chief Joseph Hickey, Van Campen, DiDomenico and on and off duty members of the department watching. Before the oath, Training Capt. James Collins handed each recruit a probationary “FFOP” helmet shield. They wear it for a year and then receive their apparatus shield when probation ends, the department posted.
Thirty years, and a death in the retired ranks
On October 28 the department marked 30 years of service for six members. Hickey presented state Fire Service Commission certificates and pins over several days to Deputy Chief Cardinale, Deputy Chief Michael Imbornone, Capt. Schembri, Lt. Richard Collins, Firefighter McCartney and Firefighter Taylor.
Retired Deputy Chief Angelo Colameta died October 19. He joined the department October 1, 1962, made lieutenant in 1972, captain in 1983 and deputy chief on January 31, 1990, and retired March 26, 1996. The department transmitted its special signal 10-15, the traditional notice of a member’s death. The funeral Mass was October 26 at St. Anthony’s Church after visitation at Salvatore Rocco and Sons on Main Street.
