American Legion Department of Massachusetts Honors Springfield Police Officer, Springfield Civilian with Medal of Valor
Springfield, Mass. — The American Legion Department of Massachusetts honored Springfield Police Officer Arjel Falcon and Springfield resident Pedro Perez with a Medal of Valor award at their annual convention in Marlborough Saturday June 10th.
Officer Arjel Falcon moved to Springfield from Puerto Rico when he was 19 years old. In 1997 he joined the United States Army and served for five years before transferring to the Air Force where he served until he retired in 2016. He was deployed three times during his military career to Cuba, Iraq and Afghanistan.
He received the Bronze Star Army Commendation with Valor Device for heroic life-saving actions in Afghanistan. He entered a building after it was hit with a rocket and helped get everyone out and they all survived.
He joined the SPD in 2013 and has received an SPD commendation for saving a woman in the Connecticut River who was drowning and on October 29th 2021 he and his partner rescued an overdose victim who had no pulse and was suffering from hypothermic conditions. They provided Narcan, CPR and oxygen and brought the man back to life.
In December 2022, the Springfield Police Department awarded him with a Purple Heart Award after a suspect stabbed him in the face leading to multiple procedures and permanent nerve damage.
While Pedro Perez is credited with saving a police officer’s’ life. On December 27th, 2022, at approximately 12:25 p.m. Springfield Police Officers responded to the 500 block of Armory Street for a report of an armed robbery at the Metro PCS. The suspect, later identified as 41-year-old Joseph Gonzalez, is alleged to have pulled out a knife and then stole an undisclosed amount of cash from the register.
A short time later a Springfield Police Officer observed a suspect (Gonzalez) on Chapin Terrace who matched the description given from the armed robbery. When the officer approached Gonzalez he engaged with the officer and a struggle ensured. A good Samaritan, Pedro Perez, was driving by and saw the officer in distress. Perez asked if the officer needed help, jumped out of his vehicle and attempted, along with the officer, to restrain the suspect. Gonzalez was able to grab ahold of the officer’s service pistol as an assisting officer arrived.
With two officers and the good Samaritan attempting to disarm Gonzalez he was able to fire two rounds with the service pistol. One round struck his own hand and another hit Perez’ truck. Both shots narrowly missed both officers and Perez. Officers were then able to get the firearm out of Gonzalez’ hand and place him under arrest. Officers immediately provided first aid to Gonzalez who was transported to Baystate for treatment of his injuries. The first officer from this incident was also transported to Baystate for treatment. Officers recovered a large knife and the cash stolen from Metro PCS on Gonzalez.
