April 12, 2006                        

Trooper and secretary from Troop C Receive Service Awards

A State Police Trooper and a secretary, both from Troop C in Tolland, received awards for service during a ceremony Wednesday, April 12, at the Connecticut State Police Training Academy in Meriden.

Twice a year, the Connecticut State Police honors Troopers who demonstrated bravery and outstanding service in the line of duty.  The ceremony also honors men and women serving in local and federal law enforcement agencies and those serving as first responders.  Award winners received medals and certificates from Department of Public Safety Commissioner Leonard C. Boyle and Governor M. Jodi Rell.

Awards are presented in four categories:

Ø      The Meritorious Service Medal is awarded to any person who renders service with a high degree of alertness, perseverance and superior judgment in the performance of a difficult task resulting in the protection of life, recovery of property, the prevention of – or solving of – a major crime or the apprehension of an armed or dangerous person.

Ø      The Lifesaving Award is presented to any person who saves a human life or makes a valiant attempt to save a life.

Ø      The Outstanding Service Award is given to any person who successfully performs an extreme, complex or difficult investigation. The person also may demonstrate exceptional skill or ingenuity in the apprehension of a wanted person, provide outstanding service to the public and or continuously achieves excellence in performance of duties over an extended period of time.

Ø      The Unit Citation is awarded to members of a department, a command or group who combine their resources to achieve success in an investigation or event. The citation recognizes exceptional collective efforts.

Troop C barracks of the Connecticut State Police, located in Tolland, is proud have these award winners.

Trooper Marc Petruzzi. Last October, in Somers, Trooper Petruzzi came upon a one-car accident that had just occurred.  Trooper Petruzzi found the car on its roof, completely crushed with flames visible within the engine compartment.  The operator was out of the vehicle but the passenger remained strapped in the front seat in an inverted position secured by his seat belt and unable to free himself.  Trooper Petruzzi used the fire extinguisher from his vehicle and extinguished the flames.  He then provided emergency care to the seriously injured passenger until emergency personnel arrived and were able to remove the victim.  The passenger was transported to the hospital where he was admitted with serious internal injuries.   Trooper Petruzzi was awarded a Lifesaving Medal.

Joann Koch.  Ms. Koch is a veteran secretary with the Connecticut State Police. With her vast experience and knowledge, she is very well respected by state troopers and supervisors. Her dependability and work skills are excellent and all agree that one of her greatest assets is her ability to multi-task.  Her commanding officer noted that “Joann Koch is a person who sets the standard for all state employees. She is a true professional and an asset to the Connecticut State Police.”  Ms. Koch was presented with the award for “Secretary of the Year.”

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