Municipal employees honored with Daniel P. O'Sullivan Award

Date: 12/3/2008

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



SPRINGFIELD For the first time in the eight year history of the Daniel P. O'Sullivan Award, two municipal employees were honored at the annual ceremony conducted on Nov. 24 at City Hall.

Police Officer Joel B. Stern and Lt. David Wells of the Fire Department were given the award that honors a military veteran now in the employ of the city who reflects the philosophy of the late O'Sullivan, Daniel Walsh III, the city's director of Veterans' Service Department, said.

O'Sullivan was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War who worked for a number of years for the city culminating in being named the Commissioner of Code Enforcement. He died in 2001.

"Dan epitomized what it is to be a public servant," Walsh said. "He really loved helping out people."

Walsh remarked it was no easy task to make a decision based on the nominations received by the award committee, which decided it had to award two honorees this year.

A member of the Air Force, Wells could not accept the award himself as he is currently on duty in Iraq where he is serving as the Chief of Fire and Emergency Services. Fire Commissioner Gary Cassenelli said that Wells is training Iraqi firefighters.

His wife Karen said, "I'm very pleased to accept this award [for her husband.] He always gives 110 percent to what he does. We're very honored."

Stern has been a member of the Police department since 1992. His military career started in the Marines. When his tour of duty was over, he decided to join the Army. That hitch was followed by time in the Navy. He has been deployed twice to Iraq.

Mayor Domenic Sarno described him as a "warrior and ambassador."

Stern said, "Last week I got a phone call from the Commissioner's office [they told me] get your dress uniform ready. I'm very humble to get this award."

Walsh added that normally the award is part of the city's Veterans Day observation, but was delayed. He remarked the new date allowed the award ceremony to stand out on its own and not get lost among the other activities.