Sudbury Cop Awarded For Response To Deadly Fire

SUDBURY, MA — The Sudbury police officer who made multiple attempts to reach a woman trapped in a burning home received a medal of valor from the American Legion over the weekend.

Officer Ryan Botto was the first to arrive at the Feb. 21 fire along Goodman's Hill Road. He attempted to enter the burning building several times to rescue Hema Shahani, 74, who was trapped on the first floor.

"Unfortunately, extreme smoke/fire conditions forced him back out of the house unable to locate the trapped resident, resulting in her tragic death. Our condolences for family and friends," the department said in a Facebook post.

Botto received the award Saturday at the American Legion Department of Massachusetts' 105th convention in Marlborough. A class of police cadets from Chicopee who pulled a person out of a burning vehicle.

The Feb. 21 fire in Sudbury was determined to be accidental and caused by a space heater that was set up in Shahani's room.