Every year, the Wilton Police Department bestows awards on its officers who perform outstanding acts of courage, service and dedication in the line of public duty.
But on Monday evening, March 13, the 10th year the Wilton Police handed out awards, there was something different at every turn. Each award seemed to reflect a higher level of personal dedication and heroics shown each day on the part of the men and women of the Wilton force. With each award handed out it was a gradual increasing display of the deep commitment they each bring not only to their jobs but to the community and to one another.
Among the honorees were an officer who saved the life of a choking friend, six officers who rushed into a burning car to save a resident, another burning car rescue, two officers who saved the life of a young Wilton man who overdosed on heroin, and many more.
In addition to the letters of commendation and recognition that were given out for arrests, investigations, and life-saving measures taken by officers over the prior 12 months, there were three special recognitions made Monday evening. The officers receiving the awards for Community Officer of the Year and Officer of the Year were three men who exemplify a deeper connection to the community they serve, evident as much in their gracious acceptance speeches as it is in their day to day selfless acts while wearing the badge.
Lt. Robert Cipolla and Ofc. Shawn Frendt were both named Community Officer of the Year, an award given in memory of beloved Wilton police officer Sgt. Tom ‘TJ’ Tunney, who lost his battle with cancer last year. Cipolla was recognized for the many Community Policing programs he has initiated that have dramatically increased the interaction between residents and officers, including “Coffee with a Cop,” “Stroll on Patrol” (NRVT-related), Ride to End Domestic Violence, and more. Frendt received the award in recognition of the “Stuff a Cruiser” days he created and the outreach work he has done to welcome the Syrian refugee family to Wilton.
Cipolla spoke to the assembled crowd about what it meant to both receive the award and be inspired by Tunney’s example in the community, bringing many in the audience to tears.
“The outpour of support from our community to help TJ was tremendous and overwhelming, the generosity in the form of donations, but more than that were the conversations and letters we received from people who interacted with TJ over the course of his career here,” Cipolla said. “He didn’t realize the impact he had, and it really made me think about what it is that defines what it means to be a good police officer. We think about a good arrest, a good investigation, how many cars we stop. Those things are all important to keep the community safe, but they all have a distinct beginning and end. What doesn’t end is the impressions we make with those we interact with in the community.”
He then called all the officers present onstage to stand with him, “At the end of the day whatever ideas we come up with, whatever manner we decide to community police, it’s merely just an idea if we don’t have the people standing up here onstage to implement it and put it in action. Thank you for what you do every day, you make community policing real for us and TJ would be proud of all of you.”
The Officer of the Year award was given to Ofc. Eric Patenaude for distinguishing himself with actions representing the highest standards of the police profession. Not only did he demonstrate outstanding police and investigative work through the year but he was recognized for his initiative in his work as the department’s new K-9 officer.
In addition, six officers were awarded the Medal of Honor for their life-saving heroics, pulling a driver out of a burning car. The video of the event was captured by the dashboard camera of one police cruiser. Dramatic and vivid, it’s clear how much the police put on the line to serve. Those officers were Sgt. Gregg Phillipson, Sgt. David Hartman, Sgt. Arnault Baker, Ofc. Mark Canepari, Ofc. Brandon Harris and Ofc. Malcolm Hayes.
As Chief Robert Crosby recounted the event from Thanksgiving Eve, 2016:
“They attempted to control the fire with extinguishers, however the car continued to burn. The driver of the vehicle, although conscious, was trapped inside the vehicle and unable to free himself from the driver’s seat. They began to use extinguishers on the fire but the driver was still unable to exit the vehicle. As a result officers entered the vehicle as flames began to enter the passenger compartment. Through considerable effort and teamwork, officers were able to pull the driver into the backseat and out of the burning car through the rear lift gate. Less than 30 seconds after the driver was removed from the vehicle to a safe location, the vehicle became engulfed in flames.
“The officers that responded to this scene placed themselves in extreme danger in an effort to save the life of the driver of the vehicle. There is no doubt that if not for the selfless and heroic actions of these officers, the driver of the vehicle would not have been present at the Thanksgiving dinner table the following day.”
As first selectman Lynne Vanderslice noted, there is so much that goes on in the daily work of the officers that the public doesn’t realize, and having an awards ceremony allows Wilton’s residents to get a glimpse at just how hard the department’s members work and what they do to put their lives on the line.
Police commissioner Donald Sauvigne opened and closed the event paying tribute to how police officers do just that–risk their lives–to protect and serve, and making sure that Wilton stays safe (especially after being named one of the Safest Towns in CT).
“That safety comes from many things–certainly the character of the town, the people that live here, but most importantly, by the people that are out there being vigilant and on-call and ready to serve. During the course of a year we get something like 30,000 phone calls to the dispatch center; about 20,000 of those phone calls result in a service action. The men and women in this room responded to 600 car accidents last year to provide service and assistance, responded to 1200 EMS calls, made 6,000 traffic stops–many of those traffic stops, along with our K-9 program produced 109 narcotics investigations. Recognize what these people do day in and day out. When our men and women put on their uniforms and that protective vest, that vest is there for a purpose. They stand first to protect us,” Sauvigne said.
Salute to Chief Crosby, Welcoming Soon-to-Be Chief Lynch
Both Vanderslice and Sauvigne paid their compliments to departing Chief Robert Crosby, who is retiring and moving to Virginia. Vanderslice said how much she enjoyed working with the chief, noting, “He’s been a great leader.”
She also remarked on how much she looked forward to working with his successor, Capt. John Lynch, when he assumes the chief’s role in early April. “I’ve known John for a long time outside of his professional capacity and I’m thrilled you’re our soon-to-be new chief.”
Other Awards
Crosby kicked off a new tradition Monday evening, awarding 5-year pins to department officers for each 5-year period served–including two officers who have been with the department for 35 years.
The other officers who were recognized during the event were:
Letter of Commendation
Lt. Stephen Brennan
Ofc. Shawn Frendt
Sgt. Gregg Phillipson
Det. Kip Tarrant (2)
Det. Eva Zimnoch (2)
Letter of Recognition
Lt. Robert Cipolla
Ofc. Shawn Frendt
Ofc. Steven Gelineau
Sgt. David Hartman (2)
Ofc. Paul Lichtenberger
Ofc. Doug Parsons
Ofc. Eric Patenaude
Sgt. Gregg Phillipson
Ofc. Frank Razzaia
Ofc. Richard Ross
Det. Scott Sear (4)
Ofc. Robert Smaldone
Ofc. Scott Spezzano (2)
Det. Kip Tarrant (3)
Ofc. Anna Tornello
Ofc. Michael Tyler
Ofc. Steven Zawacki
Life Saving Pin
Ofc. William Barrett
Ofc. Mark Canepari
Sgt. Anthony Cocco
Ofc. Paul Lichtenberger
Ofc. Eric Patenaude
Ofc. John Patry