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Trooper Brian Clay, Officer Samuel Stolzar, Sgt. Adam Carlotto, Chief William Walsh and firefighter Richard Aloisi.

Great Barrington Police Presents Medals of Valor

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Great Barrington Police Officers Jonathan Finnerty, Jason LaForest and Stockbridge Police Officer Donald Hopkins. 
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Police Department on Tuesday recognized several officers and other first responders for their bravery and commitment to public safety. 
 
In February, Police Officers Jonathan Finnerty and Jason LaForest, along with Stockbridge Police Officer Donald Hopkins, responded to a domestic incident in which the alleged aggressor was intoxicated and threatening violence against the officers.
 
Following a 40-minute effort to get the suspect to come down from a perch where he had positioned himself, armed with an ax that he later threw at them, the officers were able to successfully take him into custody without further incident. As a result of their efforts, all three were awarded the Great Barrington Police Department's Medal of Valor 
 
Also honored at the ceremony were Sgt. Adam Carlotto, Officer Samuel Stolzar, Massachusetts State Trooper Brian Clay and firefighter Richard Aloisi, who all risked their own safety last December by entering a burning home multiple times in an effort to rescue a resident who was trapped inside. 
 
For their work, the Great Barrington officers and state trooper were awarded the department's Medal of Valor, while Aloisi was awarded the department's Letter of Appreciation.
 
"Each of these individuals earned these honors by going above and beyond the call of duty and put their lives on while helping to protect the lives of members of the public,"  Police Chief William Walsh said. "They all displayed tremendous courage and commitment to protecting their community, and I am proud of them all."
 
Recently retired Reserve Officer Richard Congdon was also recognized for his 18 years of service to the town. 
 
"Officer Congdon was a valuable member of the department and an incredibly competent officer who will be missed," Walsh said.
 
The Great Barrington Police Department also awarded three citizens with Certificates of Appreciation for their support of the department: 
  • Sandra Lopez
  • Jane Aredale, president and CEO of Aredale Minerals and Cosmetics
  • Southern Berkshire Emergency Medical Services and its president, James Santos

Tags: first responders,   recognition event,   

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Dalton Man Accused of Kidnapping, Shooting Pittsfield Man

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A Dalton man was arrested on Thursday evening after allegedly kidnapping and shooting another man.

Nicholas Lighten, 35, was arraigned in Central Berkshire District Court on Friday on multiple charges including kidnapping with a firearm and armed assault with intent to murder. He was booked in Dalton around 11:45 p.m. the previous night.

There was heavy police presence Thursday night in the area of Lighten's East Housatonic Street home before his arrest.

Shortly before 7 p.m., Dalton dispatch received a call from the Pittsfield Police Department requesting that an officer respond to Berkshire Medical Center. Adrian Mclaughlin of Pittsfield claimed that he was shot in the leg by Lighten after an altercation at the defendants home. Mclaughlin drove himself to the hospital and was treated and released with non-life-threatening injuries. 

"We were told that Lighten told Adrian to go down to his basement, where he told Adrian to get down on his knees and pulled out a chain," the police report reads.

"We were told that throughout the struggle with Lighten, Adrian recalls three gunshots."

Dalton PD was advised that Pittsfield had swabbed Mclaughlin for DNA because he reported biting Lighten. A bite mark was later found on Lighten's shoulder. 

Later that night, the victim reportedly was "certain, very certain" that Lighten was his assailant when shown a photo array at the hospital.

According to Dalton Police, an officer was stationed near Lighten's house in an unmarked vehicle and instructed to call over the radio if he left the residence. The Berkshire County Special Response Team was also contacted.

Lighten was under surveillance at his home from about 7:50 p.m. to about 8:40 p.m. when he left the property in a vehicle with Massachusetts plates. Another officer initiated a high-risk motor vehicle stop with the sergeant and response team just past Mill Street on West Housatonic Street, police said, and traffic was stopped on both sides of the road.

Lighten and a passenger were removed from the vehicle and detained. Police reported finding items including a brass knuckle knife, three shell casings wrapped in a rubber glove, and a pair of rubber gloves on him.

The response team entered Lighten's home at 43 East Housatonic before 9:30 p.m. for a protective sweep and cleared the residence before 9:50 p.m., police said. The residence was secured for crime scene investigators.

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