Lakeville Police Department

Former Lakeville Police Officer Dakota J. Jones, right, who is now a Massachusetts State Police Trooper, and Trooper Christopher Nee, center, received a Medal of Valor during the 41st Annual Trooper George L. Hanna Memorial Awards for Bravery ceremony in Boston on Tuesday. (Photo courtesy Lakeville Police Department)

LAKEVILLE — Chief Matthew Perkins is pleased to share that former Lakeville Police Department Officer Dakota J. Jones, who is now a Massachusetts State Police Trooper, received a Medal of Valor during the Trooper George L. Hanna Memorial Awards for Bravery ceremony today.

On Sept. 29, 2023, at approximately 3:45 a.m., then-Lakeville Police Officer Jones was monitoring traffic near the intersection of Precinct and Pickens streets. A man approached the officer and confronted him, displaying what appeared to be a black handgun. The officer retreated behind his cruiser, drew his service weapon, and ordered the suspect to drop the weapon. The suspect did not comply.

During the confrontation, off-duty Massachusetts State Police Trooper Christopher Nee was driving by and stopped to assist Officer Jones.

Officer Jones and Trooper Nee repeatedly ordered the man to drop the weapon, but the suspect did not comply. During the exchange, the suspect took an aggressive stance and raised the weapon. At this time, fearing for their safety, both fired, striking the suspect. The officers secured the suspect’s weapon and immediately rendered emergency medical aid to the man.

Body-worn camera footage later released by Lakeville Police showed then-Officer Jones telling the suspect to drop the gun a total of 11 times.

The suspect, who was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and threatening to commit a crime, recovered from his injuries.

Troopers Jones and Nee were recognized Tuesday during the 41st Annual Trooper George L. Hanna Memorial Awards for Bravery ceremony at the Massachusetts State House Chambers in Boston. Gov. Maura Healey, Lt. Gov. Kimberly Driscoll, the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, and the Massachusetts State Police presented the awards.

Troopers Jones and Nee were among seven police officers who received a Medal of Valor on Tuesday, while four officers received the Medal of Honor.

The recipients represented the following departments at the time of the related incidents: Acushnet Police Department, Berlin Police Department, Boston Police Department, Lakeville Police Department, Oxford Police Department, Massachusetts Port Authority Police Department, and Massachusetts State Police.

The Hanna Awards honor the memory of Massachusetts State Police Trooper George Hanna, killed in the line of duty in 1983, and recognize members of law enforcement for exemplary acts of bravery.

Each year, local and state agencies submit Hanna Award applications, which a committee of public safety and law enforcement executives reviews. Upon selecting individuals or teams as recipients, the committee considers the facts of each nomination to classify the award as either a medal of honor or valor. The Medal of Honor is the highest award for those who demonstrate extraordinary bravery and courage in the face of extreme risk and certain and imminent danger to life or limb. Valor is awarded to those whose valor in a single incident goes above and beyond the call of duty and who demonstrate selfless bravery despite the potential for danger to themselves.

On Saturday, Feb. 26, 1983, Trooper George Hanna conducted a motor vehicle stop in Auburn. Three men and two women were in the vehicle, and when Trooper Hanna removed the occupants for questioning, he was instantaneously shot six times by one of the male suspects. He died later that evening in a Worcester hospital, leaving behind his wife, Marilyn, and three children, Deborah, Kimberly, and Michael. The Hanna Award was founded in his memory.

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Former Lakeville Police Officer Dakota J. Jones, center, who is now a Massachusetts State Police Trooper, shakes the hand of Gov. Maura Healey after being awarded a Medal of Valor during the 41st Annual Trooper George L. Hanna Memorial Awards for Bravery ceremony in Boston on Tuesday. (Photo courtesy Lakeville Police Department)

LAKEVILLE — Chief Matthew Perkins reports that the Lakeville Police Department is investigating after a motor vehicle crash caused the closure of Route 18 for approximately one hour Tuesday afternoon.

Route 18 (Bedford Street) has since been reopened.

At approximately 12:30 p.m. today, Lakeville Police responded to the area of 354 Bedford St. for a report of a two-vehicle crash.

Upon arrival, officers located a 2018 Toyota RAV4 and a 2015 Toyota Highlander that had collided.

The occupants of the RAV4, a 37-year-old Lakeville woman and a 2-year-old girl, and the sole occupant of the Highlander, a 24-year-old Lakeville man, were all transported to St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford with what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries. Their current conditions are unknown at this time.

The road was closed on both sides while the crash was being investigated. Massachusetts State Police and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation assisted with traffic at the scene. The road was reopened at approximately 1:30 p.m.

The crash remains under investigation by Lakeville Police officers Emily Melo and Robert Schiffer. No further information is available at this time.

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To view or download the video click here

*Note: This video contains graphic imagery and language*

LAKEVILLE — Chief Matthew Perkins reports that the Lakeville Police Department is releasing body-worn camera footage from an officer-involved shooting that took place early Friday morning, Sept. 29.

The video begins as the Lakeville officer activates his body-worn camera while getting out of his cruiser and commanding the suspect to put down his weapon.

The suspect has been identified as TIMOTHY HLADIK, AGE 45, of LAKEVILLE, and is facing several charges. He was arraigned at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford on Monday, Oct. 2.

At approximately 3:45 a.m. Friday, Sept. 29, a Lakeville Police officer was monitoring traffic near the intersection of Precinct and Pickens streets. HLADIK allegedly approached the officer and confronted him, displaying what appeared to be a handgun. The officer drew his service weapon, got out of the cruiser and retreated behind his cruiser, and ordered HLADIK to drop the weapon multiple times. HLADIK did not comply.

During the confrontation, an off-duty Massachusetts state trooper was driving by and stopped to render assistance to the officer.

During the exchange, HLADIK repeatedly used threatening language, and then allegedly took an aggressive stance and raised the weapon. At this time, fearing for their safety, both officers fired, striking HLADIK. The officers secured the suspect’s weapon, which was determined to be a replica gun, and immediately rendered emergency medical aid to the man.

The off-duty trooper was not wearing a body camera.

The police officers were placed on paid administrative leave and the service weapons of the officer and trooper have been taken as part of the investigation, as is standard procedure in any police-involved shooting.

All further inquiries should be directed to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office.

These are allegations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.

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LAKEVILLE — Chief Matthew Perkins reports that the Lakeville Police Department is investigating the circumstances of an officer-involved shooting that took place early Friday.

At 3:45 a.m. Friday, a Lakeville Police officer was monitoring traffic near the intersection of Precinct and Pickens streets. A man approached the officer and confronted him, displaying what appeared to be a black handgun. The officer retreated behind his cruiser, drew his service weapon and ordered the suspect to drop the weapon. The suspect did not comply.

During the confrontation, an off-duty Massachusetts state trooper was driving by and stopped to render assistance to the Lakeville officer.

The officer and the trooper repeatedly ordered the man to drop the weapon, but the suspect did not comply. During the exchange, the suspect took an aggressive stance and raised the weapon. At this time, fearing for their safety, both fired, striking the suspect. The officers secured the suspect’s weapon and immediately rendered emergency medical aid to the man.

The individual was taken to a local hospital, where he is being treated for his injuries.

He will face a number of charges, including Assault with a Dangerous Weapon. His name is not being released at this time, pending the issuance of a criminal complaint.

The Lakeville officer was taken off duty and the service weapons of the officer and trooper have been taken as part of the investigation, as is standard procedure in any police-involved shooting.

This is an active and ongoing investigation. The roads in the immediate vicinity of the scene remain closed at this time.

Chief Perkins would also like to notify the community that there is no danger to the public at this time, however motorists are urged to avoid the area.

The identities of the officer and trooper involved are not being released at this time. Body-camera footage of the incident exists, and it will be released at some point.

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