In the News

The U.S. Marine Corps and National Montford Point Marine Association awarded the Congressional Gold Medal posthumously to Corporal Joseph Anthony Budd.

Corporal Budd, who served in World War 2 and later became Springfield’s first African American police officer, was honored from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ray Jordan Center.

Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno and Massachusetts Congressman Richard Neal were both in attendance today, along with Springfield Police Superintendent Larry Akers, State Representative Bud Williams, and Senator Adam Gomez.

“There’s a number of veteran retired officers that are here and they said Joe Budd would always look out for us and always look out for the community and that’s a special trait that many of our police officers hold,” Sarno said.

“We are all better off in our community because of Joe Budd’s accomplishments,” Congressman Neal told us.

Budd served his country as a sailor, marine, and police officer for over 40 years, and was always proud of his marine service and he passed his legacy of service and sacrifice to subsequent generations.