On January 22, 2023, the Communications Center at the Rochester Police Department received a call from one of its own Communications Specialists, Andrew Neal, calmly stating that his home was on fire.

Communications Specialists quickly went to work, dispatching crews to respond. Then Officer, now Sergeant Nicholas Alexander was first on scene and helped Mr. Neal and his wife to safety. Alexander, who was the first on scene, quickly grabbed the fire extinguisher from his cruiser and entered the home as flames were coming from the roof and smoke was pouring out of the windows.

He located Mr. and Mrs. Neal, who have mobility issues, on the second floor and helped them out of the residence by using the extinguisher to fight back embers falling from the ceiling, allowing them to escape.

Readers may remember when Communications Specialists Michelle Bowley and Eric Pike were awarded the Distinguished Unit Award, and Sergeant Alexander was awarded the Medal for Bravery.

Sergeant Alexander’s actions that day have since resulted in him being unanimously selected to receive the New Hampshire Congressional Law Enforcement Award for Above and Beyond the Call of Duty.

Chief (ret.) Vincent Baiocchetti of the Congressional Delegation presented Sergeant Alexander with the award at a recent Police Commission meeting.