Troopers, officers Receive Service Awards
for Honor, bravery

Three State Troopers and three East Haven Police Officers received awards for service during a ceremony on Wednesday, November 29, at the Connecticut State Police Training Academy in Meriden.

Twice a year, the Connecticut State Police honors Troopers who demonstrated exceptional 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, as well as civilians.  Award winners received medals and certificates from Department of Public Safety Commissioner Leonard C. Boyle and State Police Colonel Edward Lynch.

Awards were presented in these categories:

*       The Medal of Honor is awarded to any person who performs with gallantry and bravery at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty, while engaged in combat with an armed and dangerous person.

*       The Medal for Bravery is awarded to any person who demonstrates exceptional heroism in the performance of duty while exposed to life-threatening danger.

Detective Daniel Sivori, East Haven Sergeant John Miller, East Haven Officer David Cari, Detective Ernest Correia, Sergeant Kenneth Rigney, East Haven Officer Lance Helms  On March 14, 2006, at approximately 9:23 p.m., an armed robbery occurred at a gas station in the City of East Haven, where a weapon was displayed. Shortly after the reported robbery, East Haven Police Officer David Cari observed and followed the suspect vehicle with two occupants and, when assistance was in place, he attempted to stop the suspect vehicle. The suspect vehicle entered I-95 southbound headed toward the Quinnipiac Bridge in New Haven. East Haven Sergeant John Miller and Officer Lance Helms responded to the area. Traffic was heavy due to construction.  State Police Sergeant Kenneth Rigney, Detective Ernest Correia and Detective Daniel Sivori were assigned to the bridge’s highway construction project and positioned themselves to intercept the suspect vehicle.

While attempting to flee from police, the suspect vehicle rammed several civilian cars during its flight. The suspect vehicle was finally forced to come to a stop and when it did, all six Troopers and Officers approached the vehicle.

Officers Cari and Helms removed the operator from the vehicle. While Det. Correia assisted Sgt. Miller with handcuffing the operator, Officer Cari observed the passenger raise a pistol. Officer Cari jumped in the vehicle in an attempt to subdue the individual. Det. Sivori assisted Officer Cari. Both were struck by gunfire. Officer Helms assisted Officer Cari out of the vehicle and Sgt. Rigney rendered medical assistance. Sgt. Miller and Det. Sivori were able to return fire and fatally wound the suspect.

Detective Daniel Sivori, East Haven Sergeant John Miller and East Haven Police Officer David Cari are awarded the Medal of Honor for their efforts in this dangerous event. They performed with gallantry and bravery at the risk of their own lives while engaged with an armed and dangerous person.

State Police Sergeant Kenneth Rigney, Detective Ernest Correia and East Haven Police Officer Lance Helms awarded the Medal for Bravery. Their heroic actions exemplify true valor and are in the highest tradition of the Connecticut State Police.

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