Local Youths Honored for Assisting Dedham Police

The Dedham Police Department recognized 8 local youths in front of the Dedham Town Hall, Wednesday, for their role in helping police apprehend a suspect earlier this month.

The incident, which happened Friday, July 13, occurred when a Dedham Police officer monitoring traffic observed a vehicle speeding down Cedar Street. The officer gestured for the vehicle to pull over and the operator of the vehicle swerved around the officer and accelerated past him.

According to the officer's incident report, “As I was giving the new information out the children from the parks and recreation started yelling to me that a white male was running through the back yards that abut the park from Turner Street. The kids relayed his clothing description which matched the suspect (white male, white tank top, jean shorts).”

The suspect was placed under arrest and charged with Failure to Stop for Police, Operating After Suspension, and Speeding.

“It can be a very dangerous situation if someone is fleeing, you don’t know who is coming around the corner,” Police Chief Michael D’Entremont said outside of town hall, “Without the assistance of these fine young men it might not have happened that day. They certainly should be commended for their assistance.”

Nijel Hill, 11, of Dedham, said he and his friends were playing basketball when they were approached by a Dedham Police officer.

“We were just playing basketball and a cop asked if we saw a guy running through the park and we said ‘yeah’ and we told him what he was wearing and stuff and afterwards they told us they caught him and said thanks for the great help,” said Hill.

The boys each recieved a certificate from the Dedham Police Department for their role in helping apprehend the suspect on the run.

Nijel said he was proud to have helped the police and to be recieving the certificate.

“It feels good just getting an award and stuff, one that you can keep forever,” he said.

He said he did it because it felt good “helping out the law.”