MIT Creates Award Named After Slain Officer

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has established an award named after slain campus police officer Sean Collier.

The award announced Monday by MIT Executive Vice President Israel Ruiz will be given annually "to an individual or group that embodies the character and qualities that Officer Collier exhibited as a member of the MIT community."

Authorities allege the Boston Marathon bombing suspects killed Collier on April 18 to get his gun as they fled police.

Ruiz says recipients "will include those whose contributions exceed the boundaries of their profession, those who have contributed to building bridges across the community, and those who consistently and selflessly perform acts of kindness."

Nominations for the first Collier Medal will be accepted through Jan. 10. The school is also working on a permanent memorial to Collier.

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