(Courtesy photo) National PAL Officer of the Year Kevin Pucillo, right, is congratulated by Nashua PAL Officer Ben Stusse after Pucillo was presented his award at the National PAL gala earlier this month.

NASHUA — The National Police Athletic League (PAL) organization has chosen veteran Nashua officer Kevin Pucillo as its 2023 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, an honor that earned Pucillo a trip to Las Vegas to receive the award as part of National PAL’s annual gala celebration and awards presentation.

Pucillo, who serves as the department’s Community Policing Officer and its grant writer, was chosen from a large field of nominees from across the U.S. based mainly on his reputation for “going into situations without prejudgment” and “treating people with respect,” along with his “outstanding service to the Nashua community,” according to this week’s announcement.

Current Nashua PAL Officer Ben Stusse, who, along with Nashua PAL executive director Shaun Nelson, accompanied Pucillo at the gala, praised Pucillo for always being willing to “give his time and enthusiasm to the PAL kids and the community.

“His actions always align with PAL’s mission of connecting cops and kids in positive activities … we are lucky to have him” as a member of the department, Stusse added.

A full story will appear in this week’s edition of The Sunday Telegraph.

–DEAN SHALHOUP