Former Lakeville Police officer, Massachusetts State Police Trooper, receives Medal of Valor for exemplary acts of bravery

According to LAKEVILLE Chief Matthew Perkins, at today’s Trooper George L. Hanna Memorial Awards for Bravery ceremony, former Lakeville Police Department Officer Dakota J. Jones, who is currently a Massachusetts State Police Trooper, was awarded a Medal of Valor.

Then-Lakeville Police Officer Jones was keeping an eye on traffic close to the intersection of Precinct and Pickens streets on September 29, 2023, at around 3:45 a.m. Lakeville resident Timothy Hladik walked up to the officer and accosted him while brandishing what looked to be a black revolver. After withdrawing behind his vehicle, the officer pulled out his service weapon and gave the suspect the order to drop it. The suspect refused to comply.

Trooper Christopher Nee of the Massachusetts State Police, who was not on duty at the time of the altercation, pulled over to help Officer Jones.

The suspect refused to drop the weapon after numerous orders from Trooper Nee and Officer Jones. The suspect raised the handgun and adopted an aggressive posture during the exchange. Fearing for their lives, both of them fired at this moment, hitting the suspect. After securing the suspect’s firearm, the cops promptly provided the man with emergency medical attention.

Later, Lakeville Police revealed body-worn camera evidence that showed then-Officer Jones ordering the man to drop the gun eleven times.

The suspect, who was accused of threatening to commit a crime and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, recovered from his wounds.

At the Massachusetts State House Chambers in Boston on Tuesday, Troopers Jones and Nee received recognition at the 41st Annual Trooper George L. Hanna Memorial Awards for Bravery ceremony. The honors were awarded by the Massachusetts State Police, the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, Lt. Gov. Kimberly Driscoll, and Governor Maura Healey.

On Tuesday, four officers were awarded the Medal of Honor, while seven officers, including Troopers Jones and Nee, were awarded the Medal of Valor.

Acushnet Police Department, Berlin Police Department, Boston Police Department, Lakeville Police Department, Oxford Police Department, Massachusetts Port Authority Police Department, and Massachusetts State Police were among the departments represented by the recipients at the time of the incidents.

The Hanna Awards celebrate law enforcement personnel for exceptional acts of bravery and pay tribute to Massachusetts State Police Trooper George Hanna, who was killed in 1983 while performing his duties.

Applications for the Hanna Award are reviewed annually by a committee of public safety and law enforcement officials from both local and state agencies. When choosing people or groups to receive the award, the committee evaluates each nomination’s facts before designating the honor or valor medal. The greatest honor bestowed upon individuals who exhibit exceptional bravery and courage in the face of extreme peril and certain and impending danger to life or limb is the Medal of Honor. Valor is given to people who, in a single instance, go above and above the call of duty and show unselfish bravery in the face of personal peril.

Trooper George Hanna stopped a car near Auburn on Saturday, February 26, 1983. Trooper Hanna was shot six times by one of the male suspects as soon as he got out of the car to question the three men and two women inside. He passed away in a Worcester hospital later that night, leaving behind his three children, Michael, Kimberly, and Deborah, as well as his wife, Marilyn. In his honor, the Hanna Award was established.

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