Wareham Police Give Rare Award to Citizen

The Wareham Police Association did something this week that they may have never done before in their nearly 50-year history: They recognized a resident with an Outstanding Citizen Award.

"Geoffrey Worrell is just a super-giving guy," said Wareham officer Calib Larue. "He gets behind all of our efforts, not just to support the police, but to support our causes here in our community."

Worrell is a widower, coaches youth sports in Wareham, volunteers in Wareham schools and serves on town committees. He has lived in town since 1994.

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"He's an all-around great guy, just a wonderful citizen," said Wareham Chief of Police Walter Correia. "He'll bring in teddy bears for officers to give to kids who might have been involved in a domestic dispute. He's brought in dog food and treats for our K9 officers. He is a board member of the Community Youth Empowerment group which helps out kids in high school prepare to go on to careers and college. He's just a really generous man."

Larue said the Wareham Police had been trying to come up with a way to appropriately thank Worrell for all of his generosity when they finally thought of this idea.

"It's definitely rare," said Larue.

In fact, neither Larue nor Chief Correia could think of another time the Outstanding Citizen Award had been given out by the department.

"I think that makes it even more meaningful," said Larue.

"I was extremely surprised to get this award," said Worrell.  "I don't really see myself as doing anything 'outstanding.'  I don't have the resources. I've never donated a building. I've never saved a life or any of the things police officers do every day."

While it's true that he hasn't saved any lives, he sure does thoughtful things. Worrell has been known to drop off Gatorades to the entire department during days of extreme heat and hand warmers for the whole department during dangerously cold temperatures.

"The Wareham community is a better place because of Geoffrey Worrell," Correia said.