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Cohasset Police officers receive national award for saving woman's life

BOSTON — Not all heroes wear capes - some wear police uniforms.

About 400 law enforcement agents from across the country were nominated for excellent police work, but the award ended up going to two brave Cohasset Police officers.

Officer Aaron Bates and Alex Stotik were honored by the U.S. Attorney General on Tuesday for their response to a traumatic situation that unfolded last December.

"When we found out we got the award, being a smaller town, it's kind of a shock and a surreal moment," said Officer Stotik.

Officers Bates and Stotik worked with their Lieutenant Gregory Lennon to save a woman's life after she was brutally stabbed by her date.

According to all three officers, it was the worst call they've ever responded to.

"It's not natural for the human body to see a scene like that," said Officer Bates.

On Dec. 28, 2018, Cohasset Police responded to a call for a "disturbance" on Church Street around 10 p.m. At the scene, they heard a woman screaming.

"Went from like zero to 100 miles an hour without question," said Officer Bates.

The officers quickly ran into the home and upstairs to find the victim in a chokehold where the suspect had been holding a piece of glass to the victim's neck.

"It was a piece of glass, it was a jagged piece of glass that he was pressing against her throat," said Lt. Lennon.

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Lt. Lennon says the woman was just inches away from death after being stabbed all over her body.

"She had a tremendous amount of wounds, in fact I wasn't even sure she was alive at that point," said Lt. Lennon.

Officers acted swiftly to subdue the suspect with a taser and provide first aid to the victim. That response was part of the reason why they were nationally recognized for their efforts.

"The goal was to preserve life, not only the victim but also the suspect," said Officer Bates.

Lt. Lennon says that, as humbling as it was to receive the award, the real reward was knowing they saved that woman's life.

"Our actual award was knowing that the victim in this case was able to spend Thanksgiving with her family – we keep in touch with the family and that's truly the most valuable reward we can receive," said Lt. Lennon.

The suspect, however, died after being tased.

The victim has since undergone multiple surgeries but is doing well.

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