County Sheriff Announced Honored Officer

Norfolk County Sheriff Patrick McDermott has announced that Officer John Ballerino, a 23-year veteran of the Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office, is a Correctional Officer of the Year, presented by the Massachusetts Sheriffs’ Association.

Officer Ballerino was presented with the award on Thursday, November 13th at the 2025 Law Enforcement and Corrections Awards Ceremony in the Great Hall at the Massachusetts State House. The Massachusetts Sheriffs’ Association ceremony recognizes the extraordinary contributions of men and women from the 14 counties across the Commonwealth who have shown exceptional dedication and commitment to public safety in their communities.

“The safety, security, and mission of a sheriff’s office and correctional center are built on the foundation of veteran correctional officers like John Ballerino who quietly and consistently meet the unique challenges of their jobs,” said Sheriff McDermott. “They lead by example, mentor others, and commit themselves to excellence.”

Officer Ballerino began his career at the Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office in July 2002. Officer Ballerino has a proven track record of dedicated and distinctive service. As one of the NCSO's intake officers, Officer Ballerino faces a range of ever-evolving challenges while professionally handling the bookings of individuals, Safekeeps from local police departments, and those returning from court.

“No one succeeds alone. It is a team effort,” says Officer Ballerino. “This job is important, and it gives you purpose. It is rewarding to see things run as smoothly as possible in a demanding environment.”

“Trusted officers like John Ballerino must rely on their training, experience, and composure while facing a wide range of emotions from those remanded to our correctional center’s care and custody,” said Sheriff McDermott. “Officer Ballerino is well-known for his exceptional de-escalation skills, which are a key component of officer and staff safety and security. John exemplifies the best in our public safety profession,” said Sheriff McDermott.

Officer Ballerino credits his successes to his supportive wife, their three children, and his mother, father and stepfather.