‘Lasting legacy’: North Hampton police officer honored to receive special award

NORTH HAMPTON — Paul Yanakopulos, a six-year veteran of the Police Department, is this year’s honoree of the 524 Award, named for the badge number of the late and much-respected North Hampton officer Peter Cormier.

Presenting the award at a recent Select Board meeting, Police Chief Kathryn Mone said Yanakopulos is known in the department for his intelligence and exceptional work ethic.

“When nominating Paul for this honor, the sentiments from his peers included: ‘He handles every call with an open perspective and is ambitious about finding a solution to any problem,’” Mone said.

A native of Medford, Massachusetts, Yanakopulos is a graduate of UMass Amherst.

He became a member of the North Hampton’s Police Department in 2015, the year of Cormier’s death.

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In the past year, Yanakopulos' responsibilities in the department grew. Mone said he is both a field training officer and an acting supervisor.

“We are all fortunate to work alongside officer Yanakopulos every day in service,” Mone said, “and I am proud to present this honor to him in memory of officer Pete Cormier.”

Stepping up to the podium, Yanakopulos looked humble and a little embarrassed by all the fuss. But he thanked the Select Board for holding the award ceremony at a public town forum, and others.

“I also want to thank Chief Mone for the kind sentiments,” he said, “the Cormier family, my amazing wife, Kayla, and each and every one of the officers that I work with in this department.”

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Yanakopulos said he feels, proud, fortunate and privileged to receive the 524 Award and to be part of the North Hampton Police Department.

He said though he didn’t know Cormier well, he’s learned from those who carry on his memory

“If a person’s character is measured by the way in which others speak of them when they are gone, Pete was the top of the class,” Yanakopulos said. “The lasting legacy and heartfelt memories shared by Pete’s friends and colleagues highlight the meaning of this award.”

Yanakopulos considers himself lucky to work in a profession and a department with exceptional officers, and in a community that “validates the work that we try to accomplish.”

Reflecting on his years working with North Hampton’s emergency responders, Yanakopulos said he’s impressed by the level of dedication he finds in his fellow officers, firefighters and paramedics. He said they are committed to serving townspeople and each other.

Yanakopulos is the fifth North Hampton officer to receive the 524 Award since it was created in 2017, by then-North Hampton Police Chief Michael French. The award honors long-time North Hampton officer and detective Peter Cormier, who died of a sudden heart attack in 2015 at the age of 46.

Cormier left behind his wife, Shelby, and their children Logan and Brooklyn.

Cormier served 18 years with North Hampton Police Department and was known for his leadership, kindness and dedication to serving the public.

With the award, Mone said, the North Hampton Police Department remembers, “Pete as a man who exemplified: honor, integrity, fellowship and dedication.”

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: North Hampton NH police officer honored with Peter Cormier award