April 12, 2006                        

Troopers from Troop B Receive Service Awards

More than 20 State Police Troopers from Troop B in Canaan 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 B barracks of the Connecticut State Police, located in Canaan, is proud have these award winners from the troop.   

Lieutenant Peter Wack, Sergeant Scott Harvey, Trooper Shawn Prusinowski, Trooper First Class Timothy Loomis, Trooper First Class Gregory Naylor and Trooper First Class Edwin Kohl, Trooper First Class David Beare and Dispatcher Catherine Tatsapaugh.  Last November, Troop B received a report of a domestic dispute in North Canaan. Lt. Wack, Sgt. Harvey and Trooper Prusinowski responded to the home and began to communicate with the man.  As they moved toward him, he went into the house and returned to his front deck holding a rifle.  His aggressive gestures and threats to harm himself were continuous, as were attempts to negotiate with the man.  Troopers First Class Loomis, Naylor and Kohl also responded to the scene. Trooper Naylor calmed the man while a perimeter was established by Troopers Kohl and Loomis.  Meanwhile, Troop B’s dispatch, Trooper First Class David Beare and Dispatcher Catherine Tatsapaugh, called neighbors and directed them to remain in their homes with doors locked.  After a period of time, Trooper Naylor talked the man into putting down his rifle. Lt. Wack, Sgt. Harvey and Troopers Naylor and Prusinowski quickly moved in on the man and secured him and his rifle.  All were awarded medals for Outstanding Service.

Lieutenant Peter Wack, Master Sergeant Shawn Boyne, Sgt. Kevin Albanese, Sgt. Thomas Serra, Trooper First Class James Bettini, Trooper First Class James Bonnetti, Trooper Thomas Burke, Trooper Roy Dungan, Trooper Thomas McKenzie, Trooper First Class Marc Puzzo. Late last year, Troop B received a report of a dispute, during which a man had fired a shotgun. Troop B dispatched personnel to the scene. Under the direction of Lt. Wack, a tactical perimeter was formed.  Sgt. Kevin Albanese provided logistical support from the barracks. The suspect was contacted via his cell phone and was directed to exit the building unarmed and to follow directives. It was immediately learned that there were three others in the building with the suspect.  Troopers ordered all four to exit the garage.  All personnel involved safeguarded the scene and brought a potentially deadly and complex situation to a successful conclusion. They were awarded a Unit Citation for their efforts.

Sergeant Kevin Curry, Trooper First Class Steven Elovirta, Trooper First Class Alexis  Perez, Trooper Nicholas Nigro, K-9 Radar.  Last November, Troop B was notified of a domestic dispute between a man and woman in North Canaan. The man took a knife and attempted to cut his wrist.  He ultimately left the house with the knife to possibly harm himself.  Sgt. Curry, TFC Elovirta and Trooper Nigro responded to the scene, ensured that the woman was safe and then attempted to locate the man. TFC Perez responded with his K-9, Radar, to track the subject.  Troop B personnel tracked the subject across a four-foot deep river and through brush and fields. The man was located in a field holding the knife to his throat and threatening to kill himself or cause the Troopers to kill him.  A perimeter was established while Sergeant Curry continued to communicate with the man. Through the efforts of all the Troopers, the subject was talked into putting the knife down. He was taken into custody without incident. The Troopers received a Unit Citation for their work.

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