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Police Officers, Civilians Honored For Acts Of Heroism

BOSTON (CBS) - A moving ceremony honored great acts of heroism and selflessness by police and civilians.

Sixty-six people were recognized at the annual State House awards. And half of them were honored for answering the call in the aftermath of the murder of Auburn Police Officer Ronald Tarentino.

The bagpipes played as an unbroken line of heroes entered the chamber. State Troopers mostly, but also local police officers, paramedics and civilians, all with one thing in common; they put their own safety on the line to help others.

"When we honor these brave and selfless acts, we make a statement about our values and ideals," Col. Richard McKeon, the superintendent of the Mass. State Police told the family and friends gathered in the State House.

Then the roll call of 66 people involved in 18 different incidents; saving someone from a burning car, chasing down an armed man, or even a State Police dog named Frankie that tackled a dangerous suspect. Or 33 State Troopers and paramedics who stopped a man authorities say murdered Auburn Police Officer Ronald Tarentino during a traffic stop just last May.

Three from the group received the Medal of Honor, the highest award given to the State Police. Trooper Albert Kardoos was wounded during a shootout with the suspect. "It was a hard day for everyone involved. It continues to be difficult I'm sure for the Tarentinos. I think of them every day," he says.

"It's an honor to receive this, keeping in the back of our minds that there's still a family that's grieving," adds Trooper Scott McDonald, another Medal of Honor recipient.

Despite that grief, the Tarentinos were at Monday's ceremony. "It's still hard. Everybody misses him," says Sharon Tarentino, Officer Tarentino's mother.

His father adds, "These State Police officers did a great job and we wanted to partake in part of their recognition for the job they've done and that they still do, they do every day."

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