Auburn honors police and firefighters with promotions and commendations at annual awards night

Auburn’s police and fire departments held their seventh annual awards night, where leaders and colleagues gathered to recognize years of service, recent promotions and a string of commendations for notable 2024 responses.

The evening opened with a prayer from Pastor Ruth and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Zach, followed by presentations of service pins for five-, 15-, 20- and longer-year milestones. The emcee announced recent promotions in the fire department, naming Pat Lemon as deputy chief, Mike Sullivan as captain of EMS and Andrew Flores as a new lieutenant. The departments also formally swore in two newly hired officers during the event.

Andrew Flores received the department’s Outstanding Fire Service Award. Department remarks said Flores logged just under 1,000 hours of shift coverage and responded to 111 incidents last year, making him the top call member for coverage and incident responses, and praising his reliability. “Thank you guys very much,” the emcee said while presenting the award.

Several officers and firefighters were commended for specific incidents in 2024. Citations recounted a Dec. 10 spike-strip deployment that ended a high-risk pursuit and a Dec. 30 investigation that led to arrests and the recovery of suspected cocaine and methamphetamine; individual officers involved were singled out for commendation. The department also recognized a joint police–fire response to a serious rollover on Route 101 on April 23, 2024, where firefighters assisted with extrication and a medical airlift to a Boston hospital.

A separate citation recounted that on April 23 an officer entered an overturned vehicle to render aid to a trapped 20-year-old woman; a bystander and registered nurse, Shannon Morris, was also credited with assisting to stabilize the patient until extrication and transport.

The department’s highest award of the night honored officers involved in an April 30, 2024 domestic-assault response at 248 Pinky Hill Road. According to department remarks, Detective Capo, Sergeant Huitt and Lieutenant Shabbet — with assistance from the county sheriff’s office and state police — entered a residence during a high-risk encounter, subdued a suspect allegedly armed with a knife and secured the scene. The emcee said those officers were awarded commendations, including a medal of valor, for actions described as putting public safety above personal safety.

The ceremony ended with thanks from the host and an invitation to join for refreshments; attendees applauded honorees and newly sworn officers.

What to watch next: the departments did not announce policy changes or new budget commitments at the ceremony; the night focused on personnel recognition and incident commendations.