The Methuen Exchange Club honored a Methuen firefighter and three Methuen police officers for going above and beyond in their fields.
Eric Moreau was chosen as Firefighter of the Year. 

Assistant Fire Chief Mike Fluet spoke on behalf of Chief Tim Sheehy and the rest of the Methuen Fire Department, saying, “For the last 31 years, I have worked alongside many people who I admire, helping people in their worst moments. Sometimes these moments are ‘as seen on TV’ – a big fire, a bad accident or some exotic rescue. Quite often they are less public, but just as tragic if not more. These people are the ones you can count on both at the station and off-duty. The ones whose families can count on as well. Eric is one of those people.”

Fluet continued with deep emotions: “As members of the Fire Department, we learn to deal with tragedy and tend to become stronger along the way. So, it is not often that we need to be rescued. When we do, it’s important that people like Eric are there to respond. Eric has been quietly a part of the team who has rescued me and the others around us. I hope that we can adequately be there for Eric and his family if they ever need us.”

Union President Jim McLaughlin, of Local 1691, congratulated Eric saying, “This award not only reflects Eric’s dedication to the men and women of the department, but of the whole state of firefighters in Massachusetts. He has been involved with firefighters and their families during crisis. For the last year, Eric has served as vice president of our union. Eric has gone through multiple trainings for the committee on the Mental Health Task Force. Eric went above and beyond with what needed to be done any hour of the day.”

Firefighter Moreau thanked the MFD crew for nominating him, adding, said “Your support has meant the world to me. … I take pride in serving our community.”

Methuen Police Officer of the Year went to to Sgt. Matt Morel and Officers Jesse Fabian and Dannery Serrano.

Police Chief Scott McNamara said, “On September 21, 2024, what began as a routine call quickly evolved into a critical high-stake situation at the Village Mall on Broadway; a third-party 911 caller reported a male physically assaulting a female in a public area of the parking lot, a situation that demanded swift action and sound judgement.”

The officers “were met with a volatile and uncooperative suspect,” McNamara continued, who not only refused to identify himself but “most alarmingly, disregarded multiple lawful commands to remove his hands from his pockets which is a potential threat to (officers’) safety and the public’s safety.”

 When the suspect began to reach into his waistband and repositioned his feet, he gave the impression he was reaching for a weapon.

“In that critical split-second moment, our officers choose a path that upheld the safety of life. Demonstrating restraint, composure and professionalism, Sergeant Morel and Officer Serrano utilized less lethal tasers to stop the suspect while Officer Fabian provided essential lethal coverage to protect everyone involved,” McNamara said. “Their teamwork, discipline and courage successfully neutralized the threat and prevented what could have been a devastating outcome. This illustrates the essence of what it means to wear the badge.”