NORTON - A local resident and state police trooper has been hailed for his involvement in the February arrests of four shooting suspects in Brockton, whom he held at gunpoint until his backup arrived.

Trooper James D. O'Leary received the Massachusetts State Police Medal of Merit from State Police Superintendent Col. Mark F. Delaney during a Statehouse ceremony.

O'Leary was honored for his involvement in the arrests of the suspects early on the morning of Feb. 10.

In the moments after the shooting, which wounded two men, O'Leary observed a vehicle fleeing the area at a high rate of speed.

He activated his blue lights and pulled into the path of the fleeing car, causing it to stop. He got out of his cruiser and held the four occupants at gunpoint while waiting for backup. As he did so, the driver tried to open his door to get out of the car and flee, but O'Leary slammed his body against the door to keep it from opening.

As backup arrived, a backseat passenger got out of the vehicle and began to run away. O'Leary chased that suspect on foot over fences, through yards and down a sidewalk, finally apprehending him with assistance from a Brockton officer.

Back at the car O'Leary had stopped, Brockton police officers found a weapon in the vehicle.

O'Leary is assigned to the State Police D Troop Community Action Team in Brockton. His previous assignments have included the Foxboro and Middleboro barracks and the Norfolk County State Police Detective Unit.

While serving at the Foxboro barracks, he served as a police prosecutor in Attleboro District Court.

He has been awarded the "Bulldog of the Month," an honor bestowed by the State Police union, and two Troop Commander's Commendations.