Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Blackstone honors officers for lifesaving vehicle rescue and swears in new officer
Summary
Select Board recognized Officers Taylor Hanson and Gregory Haines/Haynes for rescuing an unconscious driver from a burning vehicle on Oct. 20, 2024, and swore in Officer Madeline Dike as the department’s newest officer — the first woman sworn in recent town history.
The Blackstone Select Board on Nov. 26 formally commended two police officers for a lifesaving rescue and welcomed a new member to the department.
At a ceremony at Town Hall the police chief recounted a single‑vehicle crash on Oct. 20, 2024, in which Officer Taylor Hanson arrived first, found the driver unconscious and pinned beneath the dashboard and — together with Officer Gregory Haines (appearing in the record also as “Haynes”) — removed the person from the burning vehicle and administered emergency care. Rescue personnel said the car exploded shortly after the driver was pulled free. The fire chief presented each officer with a life‑saving citation, and the board extended the town’s gratitude.
After recognizing Hanson and Haines/Haynes, the chief introduced Officer Madeline Dike as the department’s newest hire. Dike took the oath of office administered by Town Clerk Tara Sullivan and was pinned by her father. In brief remarks she said she previously worked in nearby departments, is 24 years old, holds multiple certifications — including school resource officer training — and described being honored to be the town’s first female officer. Board members and the fire chief congratulated Dike and thanked the department for the public safety work it performs.
The board paused afterward for photographs and public expressions of thanks. No formal policy action or budget vote accompanied the recognitions.
