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March 06--LAWRENCE -- Carmen Purpora and Angel Lopez were laid off from the Lawrence Police Department on July 1, but yesterday morning, they put their skills to work in their old territory by removing a victim from a car involved in a three-car accident.
Purpora and Lopez, who are now employed as Revere police officers, were on their way home from their shift when they encountered the accident at Route 114 and Andover Street around 9 a.m.
Patrolman Jeffrey Sapienza reported the three vehicles were heavily damaged and a 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe was rolled over on the driver's side. A large quantity of fluid was leaking from the engine and Paul Capozzi, 55, of 34 South Bowdoin St., was trapped in his vehicle, according to Sapienza's report.
Purpora and Lopez, still dressed in their Revere police uniforms, secured the accident scene, which had been chaotic, and began working to get Capozzi out of his car.
The Fire Department responded to the scene in case any of the vehicles ignited.
"Without regard for their own safety, they were able to extricate Capozzi from the vehicle through the moon roof," Sapienza wrote.
The officers then brought Capozzi to a safe area and treated him until the ambulance arrived.
Police issued two citations. One of the drivers of the other cars involved in the accident, Exequiel Lopez, 21, of 62 Exchange St., was cited for unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Yennifer Serrano, 25, of the same address, was cited for allowing an unlicensed person to operate a motor vehicle.
The third driver was Gregorio Jimenez, 23, of New York City.
Purpora and Lopez "are two of the finest officers I've ever worked with," police Chief John Romero said yesterday. The two men were among 25 Lawrence police officers laid off July 1 due to chronic fiscal problems.
Purpora worked as a detective in Lawrence and each officer had more than five years of experience in this city, the chief said.
"Lawrence's loss is Revere's gain," Romero said.
