The Massachusetts Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (MACLEA) honored 14 campus police officers on Dec. 16, including three Brandeis officers. Officer Philip Burns received the Exemplary Service Award; Officer Kimberly Carter and Officer Anthony Celona received the Heroic Action Award.
“I would like to thank and congratulate not only our 14 incredible award winners today, but also all of the officers, dispatchers, emergency management staff and support staff whose dedication and hard work helped campuses across the Commonwealth safely navigate two years that were anything but normal,” said MACLEA President Capt. Andrew Turco.
Burns was honored for his “calmness and courage as he quickly prevented a dangerous incident from becoming worse,” when he responded to a fire, according to a MACLEA press release. Burns responded to a fire alarm in a residence hall, after reporting it to the fire department, he found a fire extinguisher and put the fire out, not allowing it to spread.
Carter and Celona were honored for saving a student from drowning during Tropical Storm Fred. The Massel pond, which is over 10 feet deep, was flooded because of the storm. On Aug. 19, 2021, the officers were responding to a report of a student, who was unable to swim, falling into the pond. Both of them jumped into the pond and pulled them safely to shore. “The bravery displayed by Officer Carter and Officer Celona, without regard for their own safety, likely saved a student from serious injury or death,” said the press release. Celona has worked at Brandeis Public Safety for over 15 years.
“Campus police officers, administrators and support staff have all done our profession proud with two years worth of professionalism and commitment to the institutions they serve,” concluded Turco.
According to its website, MACLEA Awards honor officers for their “extraordinary, lifesaving and heroic work.” It’s purpose is “to promote the common interest in the administration of law enforcement programs including the operation and development of life safety and property protection programs on campuses of educational institutions, as a non-profit organization. To promote professional ideals and standards so as to better serve the educational objectives of educational institutions,” among other things.
The annual awards ceremony was canceled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
