Troopers from Troop L Receive Service Awards

State Police Troopers from Troop L in Litchfield 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 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, 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 are presented in four categories:

*      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.

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

*      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.

*      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 L barracks of the Connecticut State Police, located in Litchfield, is proud have several individual award winners from the troop.   

Trooper Matthew Eagleston and Trooper First Class Steven Dacunha On June 28, 2006, Trooper Matthew Eagleston and Trooper First Class Steven Dacunha were dispatched to a motor vehicle accident in Morris.  Trooper Eagleston observed a heavily damaged, smoking vehicle on its roof.  The operator was unresponsive, suspended upside down in the seat and not breathing.  Trooper Eagleston cut the seatbelt, and assisted by Trooper Dacuhna, guided the operator to the ground.  Both Troopers positioned the victim to establish an airway and the victim began to breathe. They were awarded Lifesaving medals for their work.

Trooper First Class David Bland, Nurse Charlene Roesing   On May 27, 2006, Trooper First Class David Bland responded to a motor vehicle accident in Harwinton. He found the vehicle’s operator gasping for breath and being treated by Charlene Roesing, a registered nurse who lives near the scene. Working together, Trooper Bland and Nurse Roesing were able to establish an airway.  Trooper Bland was awarded a Lifesaving Medal; Nurse Roesing was given a Commissioner’s Citation award.

Conservation Officer Edward Yescott On November 27, 2005, a male suspect entered a coffee shop on Route 4 in Burlington.  Holding a knife, the suspect gained access to the register.  The suspect left the store and entered a waiting vehicle.  A 911 call was made and immediately broadcast by Troop L.   Department of Environmental Protection Conservation Officer Edward Yescott was off duty when he heard the broadcast and encountered the suspect vehicle.  Officer Yescott followed the vehicle to a location in Canton.  With the assistance of Canton Police, State Police Troopers and a Burlington Town Officer, the two suspects were apprehended without incident. Officer Yescott received an Outstanding Service award.

Woodbury Officer Stephen Tokarz & Sergeant Clayton Brown. Sgt. Gregory Kenney, Trooper First Class Kenneth Hehn, Trooper First Class Joseph Cusato, Trooper First Class Timothy McAlpin, Detective Dennis Sang, Trooper Matthew Eagleston, Trooper Joseph Roden, Woodbury Officer Lawrence Rockhill, Woodbury Officer Dana Lent, Woodbury Officer Howard Northrup, Woodbury Officer Alex Roberts, State’s Attorney Corinne Klatt, Civilans Andrea Powers, Anthony Patti and Joanne BouveOn July 22, 2006, members of the Woodbury Resident State Trooper’s Office, Troop L, Woodbury Officers and the Statewide Organized Crime Task Force furthered a collaborative investigation into the illegal sale and distribution of counterfeit goods at the Woodbury Flea Market. Over a period of several months, Woodbury Officer Stephen Tokarz and Sergeant Clayton Brown investigated the market.

Undercover surveillance helped to identify several vendors engaged in the sale and distribution of forged counterfeit items. The investigation culminated with the seizure of more than 4,000 counterfeit items and more than $1,000 in cash derived from the sale of the items by several vendors. The seized items represent a street value of more than $100,000. The sale and distribution of these counterfeit items represents an actual monetary loss value in excess of $1.4 million to legitimate business enterprises. Also seized were three motor vehicles used to transport the items from New York to Connecticut. Eleven people were arrested on numerous counts of felony counterfeiting goods.  Officer Stephen Tokarz & Sgt. Clayton Brown earned Outstanding Service awards and all others received a Unit Citation award.

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