The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund

OFFICER OF THE MONTH - OCTOBER 1998

SERGEANT PAUL HARDY
ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS, SHERIFF'S OFFICE

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) has announced the selection of Sergeant Paul Hardy, of the Essex County, Massachusetts, Sheriff's Office, as its Officer of the Month for October 1998.

"Sergeant Paul Hardy is an outstanding law enforcement officer who has excelled in a very dangerous and important job at the Essex County Correctional Facility in Middleton, Massachusetts," declared NLEOMF Chairman Craig W. Floyd. "Throughout his distinguished career he has demonstrated courage under fire, extreme professionalism and a dedication to law enforcement training and safety."

He proved just how good he is earlier this year when he was confronted by a desperate criminal who had just robbed a bank and was fleeing from police. After a wild high speed chase and shootout, the bank robber, Chad Austin, wrecked his car and then sought refuge in the nearest home he could find. It belonged to Paul Hardy, who was enjoying a day off with his twin sons, four-year-olds Kyle and Kevin.

Austin shot his way into Sergeant Hardy's home and took the officer and his two sons hostage. Sergeant Hardy kept his cool and used his years of experience as a corrections officer to turn the tables on his captor. After several hours of negotiations, Sergeant Hardy convinced Austin to let his children go. Once the boys were safely out, the 32-year-old law enforcement professional went to work on his own escape. As the gunman was briefly distracted Sergeant Hardy jumped his attacker and then darted to safety as police stormed the home.

"I knew it was just a matter of time once the kids were released until Paul would end the confrontation," says Officer Mark Schmink of the Rockport, Massachusetts, Police Department and a former supervisor of Sergeant Hardy. "He's that good."

What the robber never knew was that, as a corrections officer, Sgt. Hardy faces violent criminals on a daily basis and he is an expert at dealing with them. Paul made the decision to become a law enforcement officer and work at the correctional facility in 1993. "When you have children," says Sergeant Hardy, "it becomes very important to make contributions to your community. I wanted to be a good role model not only for my kids but for others' as well."

As a young corrections officer, Sergeant Hardy and his partner were housed in a cellblock with 120 inmates, with only a radio, handcuffs and a pair of rubber gloves. "They are constantly challenging you," says Sergeant Hardy. "They try to find your weaknesses and use them against you."

Calling on his own personal philosophies, Paul developed an effective method for working with the prisoners in his block. "You have to be consistent, fair but firm, show them respect, and keep your word. One of the things I'm proudest of," says Sergeant Hardy, "is working with a difficult block and turning it around. Some of the inmates even thanked me for helping to stabilize a difficult unit."

"You are constantly faced with violent situations or quelling situations before they become violent," says Officer Schmink. "Sergeant Hardy is a disciplined, dedicated professional who has an outstanding ability to handle these situations."

After fours years, Sergeant Hardy was detailed to the training facility and later was promoted and made a full-time trainer. "[Sergeant Hardy] works aggressively to develop training programs to give the officers the tools they need for a safe work environment," says Paul's supervisor, Major Mark Cassola. "He is truly concerned for their safety." The fact that more than 300 correctional officers have been killed in the line of duty helps to explain the critical need for an emphasis on safety.

"Every day I come to work, I know my partner is there," says Sergeant Hardy's partner, Officer Robert Langan. "His reliability is as unquestionable as his dedication and loyalty. He uses his intellect and remains cool under all situations."

Among his many other awards and commendations, Sergeant Hardy has received the American Legion Medal of Valor and he has been named Corrections Officer of the Year in Suffolk County, Massachusetts. "I want to congratulate Sergeant Hardy on receiving this [Officer of the Month] award," says Sheriff Frank Cousins of his exceptional officer. "He has made some good contributions to our training program."