Xiarhos Receives Recognitions from MCOFU, CCCC

April 29, 2024

BARNSTABLE, Mass. – State Representative Steve Xiarhos (R – 5th Barnstable) recently received two prestigious accolades for his service on behalf of residents of the Commonwealth.

On April 26, Xiarhos was honored as a Distinguished Alumnus of the Cape Cod Community College Criminal Justice Program at the inaugural meeting of the program’s advisory board. The award was given to Xiarhos in recognition of his “outstanding accomplishments and contributions in the field of criminal justice.”

Xiarhos currently serves as Assistant Ranking Minority Member of the Massachusetts Legislature’s Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security. Prior to being elected to public office, Xiarhos worked as a police officer in the Town of Yarmouth for 40 years, eventually retiring from the position of Deputy Chief of Police in 2019. He is well known in the Legislature for his work on behalf of criminal justice and first responders. One of his signature accomplishments is the passage of Nero’s Law in 2022, a law which provides emergency medical services for police dogs who sustain injuries in the line of duty.

Later the same day, Xiarhos was recognized as Representative of the Year by the Massachusetts Correction Officers Federated Union (MCOFU).

“MCOFU is extremely proud to have the support of Representative Xiarhos for his unwavering concerns of the great men and women who work behind these dangerous prison walls,” said Dennis Martin, MCOFU President. “Rep. X is a true patriot who truly cares about the citizens of the Commonwealth, the men and women of public safety and our veterans.” MCOFU’s Legislative Representative, Kevin Flanagan, added, “Nobody fights harder for the men and women who work in our jails and prisons. Rep. X is always there to support our officers and ensure our members are well represented on Beacon Hill.”

MCOFU is a collective bargaining organization representing certain correction staff within the Department of Correction, the Bristol County Jail and House of Correction, and the Dukes County Correction Officers.

Xiarhos has made support for first responders and members of law enforcement a cornerstone of his public service. This year, Xiarhos is proud to be the sponsor of Matt’s Bill (House Bill 2422), legislation intended to help protect correction officers from violent attacks by inmates. The bill is named in honor of Correction Officer Matt Tidman, who sustained life-threatening injuries as the result of an attack by a prison inmate at MCI Shirley in 2022.

“I am exceptionally honored and gratified to receive these special recognitions,” Xiarhos said. “I am proud to be an alum of Cape Cod Community College, and to have been able to put the criminal justice education I received there to work in the community as a police officer and now as a member of the Legislature working on criminal justice policy. I am also proud to be the sponsor of Matt’s Bill this session. I want first responders and members of the law enforcement community, including correction officers, to know that I will always have their back.”

Steve Xiarhos has served as State Representative for the 5th Barnstable District on Cape Cod since 2021. The district currently includes the Town of Sandwich and portions of the Towns of Barnstable (Precincts 10, 11, and 12) and Bourne (Precincts 1, 2, 3, 5A, and 7). Xiarhos recently qualified for the ballot to seek re-election this November.

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