LAKEVILLE — 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 Tuesday, Nov. 26 at the State House, Lakeville Police Chief Matthew Perkins reported.

Jones and State Trooper Christopher Nee received the honor for their actions in confronting a man who appeared to be carrying a handgun on Sept. 29, 2023 in Lakeville.

Jones was monitoring traffic at about 3:45 a.m. near the intersection of Precinct and Pickens streets when a man approached the officer and confronted him, displaying what appeared to be a black handgun, police said. 

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, Nee, who was off-duty,  was driving by and stopped to assist Jones.

Jones and Trooper Nee repeatedly ordered the man to drop the weapon, but he did not comply, police said. During the exchange, the man took an aggressive stance and raised the weapon, police said.

At this time, fearing for their safety, both fired, striking the man, police said. The officers secured the man’s weapon and immediately rendered emergency medical aid to the man.

Body camera footage released by Lakeville Police showed Jones telling the man to drop the gun a total of 11 times, police said.

The man was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and threatening to commit a crime. He recovered from his injuries.

Gov. Maura Healey, Lt. Gov. Kimberly Driscoll, the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, and the Massachusetts State Police presented the awards.

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