Rockland Police Department Presents Three Officers with Meritorious Service Award For Actions Taken During Attempted Kidnapping

Rockland Police Department Presents Three Officers with Meritorious Service Award For Actions Taken During Attempted Kidnapping.

According to Rockland PD, On today’s date Rockland Sergeant Matthew Lindahl, Officer Alexander Gaylor and Officer Addison Cox were honored by being the recipients of the Police Department’s “Meritorious Service Award”. The Rockland Police Department awards committee recognized the officers for their action on September 29, 2016 during an attempted kidnapping.

This award is one which recognizes Rockland officers who perform acts of bravery, heroism and/or make significant contributions to the law enforcement profession.

On the night of September 29, 2016, Sergeant Matthew Lindahl and the rest of his shift were patrolling the City of Rockland. At approximately 12:34 AM, Sgt. Lindahl observed a vehicle that appeared to be stopped in the southbound travel lane of Main St. near the intersection of Main St. and Warren St. As Sgt. Lindahl got closer to the vehicle, the vehicle traveled forward and then pulled over to the side of the road, parking at an odd (45 degree) angle. Sgt. Lindahl could see people moving around inside the vehicle. As Sgt. Lindahl drove closer to the vehicle he decided to check the well-being of the occupants inside the vehicle. As Sgt. Lindahl got to within 30 feet of the vehicle, the vehicle backed-up into the roadway directly toward Sgt. Lindahl’s cruiser. The vehicle accelerated away from Sgt. Lindahl at a high rate of speed. Sgt. Lindahl then observed the vehicle operating erratically and at excessive speeds on Union St.

Sgt. Lindahl activated his emergency lights to stop the vehicle. The vehicle operator refused to stop the vehicle. Based on Sgt. Lindahl’ s observations, hour of the day, weather and traffic conditions, he elected to engage in a pursuit. As Sgt. Lindahl was pursuing the vehicle, Officers Gaylor and Cox (together in a separate cruiser) joined the pursuit as the secondary pursuit vehicle.

Sgt. Lindahl, Officers Gaylor and Cox, pursued the vehicle south on Union St., west on Pleasant St., across Broadway before the vehicle crashed on Pleasant St. around Luce Ave. As the operator of the vehicle attempted to flee the scene on foot, he was apprehended by Officers Gaylor and Cox. Sgt. Lindahl checked on the female passenger to determine her condition.

Now, it was determined that the female passenger had been a victim of kidnapping by the male operator. The victim sustained physical injuries during the kidnapping as well as inflicting physical injuries on the assailant. It was also determined that during the police pursuit, the victim called 911 and reported to dispatch that she had been kidnapped.

The Committee’s review of the incident determined the officers demonstrated an extremely high degree of professionalism. From the moment, the pursuit was initiated until the time the vehicle crashed, these officers performed flawlessly. The entire shift worked as a team to bring this situation to a successful resolution.

This Meritorious Service Award is given for “service rendered beyond the course of duty where a member, because of their diligence and perseverance, performs an exemplary duty in which a crime is prevented, life saved, property protected, or a dangerous criminal is apprehended."
It is bestowed upon these officers for service above and beyond the call of ordinary duty.

Sergeant Matthew Lindahl has been with the Rockland Police Department since 1997. He graduated from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in 1998. Sergeant Lindahl has held a variety of positions within the Department since he was hired, including Field Training Officer, Drug Recognition Expert, CIT Member, and a Certified MCJA Instructor. He has been a member of the Department's Bicycle Patrol Team since 1998 and Harbor Patrol Unit since 2007.

Patrol Officer Alex Gaylor started his career with the Rockland Police Department on April 7, 2014. Officer Gaylor is a May 2011 graduate of the Vermont Police Academy. Prior to joining the Rockland Police Department, he was a police officer for the Town of Brandon Vermont Police Department from February 2011 to his hiring with Rockland. Officer Gaylor has an associate’s degree in criminal justice from River Valley Community College, New Hampshire.

Patrol Officer Addison Cox has been with the Rockland Police Department since April 19,2016. He will be attending the Maine Criminal Justice Academy Basic Law Enforcement Training Program beginning on January 17,2017. Prior to joining the Rockland Police Department, Officer Cox, a veteran, was on active duty with the United State Marine Corps from 2012 to 2016.