April 12, 2006
Troopers from Troop G Receive Service Awards
State Police Troopers from Troop G in Bridgeport received awards for service during a ceremony Wednesday, April 12, at the Connecticut State Police training academy in Meriden. Two Westport firefighters also received awards during the event.
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 G barracks of the Connecticut State Police, located in Bridgeport, is proud have several individual award winners from the troop. In addition, two Westport firefighters were presented with a Commissioner’s Recognition Award.
Trooper Marcquis Knox. Trooper Knox was conducting a patrol check of a rest area on I-95 in Milford in August of last year when he located a semiconscious man lying in the parking lot. While awaiting the arrival of medical personnel, Trooper Knox monitored the man’s condition. Trooper Knox located car keys in the man’s pants pocket that led him to a car parked in the rest area. In the vehicle, Trooper Knox located identification for the man, a suicide note, an open empty bottle of sleeping pills, a sympathy card dated and signed by the man and an envelope listing names and phone numbers of loved ones. He was transported by ambulance to the hospital where he received medical treatment. Trooper Knox was awarded a Lifesaving Medal.
Trooper Debbie Gutierrez. Trooper Gutierrez was dispatched to I-95 in Norwalk for a medical assist. Upon arrival, she found a vehicle blocking the left lane and creating a hazard. She found the operator, a 76-year-old man, seated in the front passenger seat unconscious. Trooper Gutierrez, who is also a registered nurse, determined that the man was not breathing and immediately began CPR. The victim had suffered a heart attack and was revived due to Trooper Gutierrez’s quick and decisive actions. The medical assistance performed by Trooper Gutierrez saved this elderly man from a certain death. Trooper Gutierrez was awarded a Lifesaving Medal.
Westport Firefighters Jeffrey Gootman and Brian Meadows. Gootman and Meadows were traveling behind a vehicle on Route 15 in Hamden whose operator lost control, veered off the road and hit a tree. Gootman and Meadows stopped their own vehicle, jumped out and ran to the damaged vehicle. The driver was unconscious and his vehicle was catching fire. Gootman and Meadows extricated the driver, moved him to a safe location and immediately began to render medical aid. Shortly thereafter, the driver’s vehicle was fully engulfed in flames. The car’s driver was transported to the hospital with minor injuries. Gootman and Meadows each received a Commissioner’s Recognition Award.
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