Burlington Offier Honored With Medal For Bravery

BURLINGTON, MA — Officer Aurise Miedico has earned a Medal of Honor at the annual Trooper George L. Hanna Memorial Awards for Bravery.

Miedico received the award for "her heroic efforts to subdue a dangerous suspect during a mental health response," according to a statement.

Gov. Maura Healey joined Deborah and Kimberly Hanna, daughters of the award ceremony’s namesake Trooper George L. Hanna, to present Miedico with the Medal of Honor during a ceremony held at the Massachusetts State House in Boston on Oct. 14.

Miedico was one of 18 Massachusetts police officers who were honored. Honorees represented the police departments of Boston, Burlington, Everett, Fall River and Holyoke.

In January 2022, the Burlington police and fire departments responded to a call involving a man experiencing a mental health crisis.

Miedico and Officer Roberto Reyes were approached by the man, who was armed with a knife. The officers backed away in an attempt to create distance, but he continued to approach them, prompting the officers to use less-than-lethal force in an attempt to subdue him, according to the statement.

The man then raised the knife above his head and charged at Miedico. She attempted to create distance but was unable to do so before the person came into striking range, prompting her to fire her duty weapon.

“The entire Burlington Police Department is overwhelmed with pride in Officer Miedico for receiving this honor,” Police Chief Thomas Browne said in a statement. “In the face of danger, Officer Miedico acted with both commitment to duty and bravery. As a result of her heroic decision-making, she subdued an individual who may have caused harm to others."

The Medal of Honor is the "highest award for those who demonstrate extraordinary bravery and courage in the face of extreme risk and certain and imminent danger to life or limb," according to the statement.