A violent late‑night scene at a Webster Street warehouse and a split‑second decision to run toward it have landed two Worcester police officers among the department’s most decorated this year. Officers Shawn Tivnan and Dave McAtee were honored at the Worcester Police Department’s 2026 Exemplary Service Awards for charging into a building where multiple people had been wounded and then shielding and treating a critically injured victim. The department presented the pair with the Meritorious Service Award, a four star commendation, holding up their response as an example of officers stepping into danger to protect others.
What Happened on Webster Street
According to the Worcester Police Department on Facebook, officers were called to 88 Webster St. at about 3 a.m. on Oct. 22, 2023, for reports of a shooting that was initially believed to be an active shooter situation. As officers arrived, multiple people were seen running from the area.
The post describes Tivnan and McAtee entering a warehouse-style building divided into individually leased commercial rooms while the location of the suspected shooter was still unknown. Inside, McAtee found a gunshot victim, dragged the person to cover and performed CPR until medical crews could take over. Throughout the rescue, Tivnan provided armed protection so others could escape and medics could safely reach the victim.
Officers Honored at the 2026 Ceremony
As reported by the Telegram & Gazette, Tivnan and McAtee received the Meritorious Service Award, a four star honor, at the department’s June awards ceremony for their actions on Oct. 22, 2023.
The Worcester Police Department’s Facebook post noted that “doctors credited McAtee with saving the victim's life,” underscoring how critical those first minutes on Webster Street were. The same ceremony also spotlighted other life‑saving work across the department and formally introduced the Enmanuel “Manny” Familia Valor Award as the highest distinction for valor.
What the Awards Mean
The department’s Exemplary Service Awards program is designed to recognize work that goes beyond routine duty, using a system of citation types and star levels to distinguish different kinds of acts. Per the Worcester Police Department’s policy document, the awards policy was revised effective March 1, 2026, to spell out the criteria for honors such as the Meritorious Service Award.
Local coverage of the 2026 ceremony noted that the recognitions covered incidents dating back to mid‑2021, a reminder that the awards are meant to capture standout responses across several years, not just the most recent news cycle.
How to Commend an Officer
Recent social media posts about the award winners have brought fresh attention to the Webster Street incident and to Tivnan and McAtee’s actions that night. Residents who want to submit a commendation or learn more about the awards process can find contact details and a commendation form on the City of Worcester police website.
