BOSTON — Four Lynn police officers received the nation’s highest decoration for bravery on Thursday for their actions during a domestic dispute last year.
Officers John Bernard, Matthew Coppinger, Michael McEachern and Joshua Seaman stood at attention as they received the Medal of Valor at the Trooper George L. Hanna Memorial Awards for Bravery ceremony in the State House.
Hanna, a Massachusetts State Police trooper, was shot and killed while conducting a routine traffic stop in Auburn in 1983. The three assailants are serving a life sentence.
On the morning of Jan. 29, Coppinger, Seaman and McEachern went to a Bay View Avenue residence to serve multiple arrest warrants for Randolph McClain. When officers arrived, they witnessed a violent confrontation between McClain and the mother of his child, police said. The responding officers entered the home and found him in a locked second floor bedroom. Through the door, McClain told police he had a gun and he would kill them.
McClain fled the building onto a porch roof, pointed the gun at an officer and jumped to the ground and fled on foot, according to police. Coppinger, Seaman and McEachern followed while Bernard arrived on scene and the officers gave chase. Officers saw him approach a vehicle turning onto Nichols Avenue and ordered the female driver out of the vehicle at gunpoint, the police report said.
When McClain was ordered to drop the weapon, he aimed the firearm at Bernard, Seaman and McEachern, according to police. In an effort to protect themselves and bystanders, the officers were forced to shoot him, police said. He later died at Salem Hospital.
“These officers exhibited a high degree of courage and professionalism throughout the entire incident,” said Jennifer Queally, undersecretary of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. “They disregarded their personal safety to pursue the armed and violent suspect and for these reasons we award them the Medal of Valor.”
Seaman said he was surprised to learn that he was among the recipients.
“I was just doing my job,” he said. “That’s what we’re here for.”
Bernard said the award wasn’t necessary, it’s the kind of thing officers everywhere are called upon to do.
“I’m very honored to be able to help, serve and protect the community and help Jackie, who was the female in the car,” he said.
McEachern said it’s a privilege to serve the city of Lynn.
“It’s my honor to serve,” he said. “It’s a tough job.”
Coppinger, whose uncle Essex County Sheriff Kevin Coppinger looked on during the ceremony, said he was just doing what any officer would have done.
“It’s very humbling, especially when you receive an award in the name of someone who was killed in the line of duty,” he said. “Just to be in the same room as so many heroes, it’s a great day and we are very fortunate to work in a great department with great people.”
Officers from Lowell, Fall River, Everett, Boston, Auburn and the Massachusetts State Police also received awards. To date, 118 officers have been honored.
“It’s a dangerous job,” said Gov. Charlie Baker. “And anyone who doesn’t think so is kidding themselves.”
