STATE POLICE PROMOTE 11 TROOPERS

            (MIDDLETOWN, CT – September 28, 2017) – The Connecticut State Police promoted 11 Troopers during a ceremony at the State Police Training Academy on September 28, 2017.

            Dr. Dora B. Schriro, Commissioner of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, formally promoted the Troopers during the event.  State Police Colonel Alaric J. Fox pinned new badges on the new Lieutenant Colonel, Majors, Captains, Lieutenants and Master Sergeants.  Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman also attended and addressed the promotees.

The following Troopers were promoted:

Lieutenant Colonel James Canon, Jr.  Lieutenant Colonel Canon was promoted from Major and will command the Offices of Professional Standards and Support Services.  He has been a Trooper for more than 20 years and most recently served as Commanding Officer of the Labor Relations Unit.  Lt. Col. Canon has earned a Medal for Meritorious Service and four Unit Citation Awards. He has served in the Central District Major Crime Squad, in the Professional Standards Unit and as Commanding Officer of Troop B in North Canaan. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Westfield State University and a Juris Doctorate from Western New England University. In addition, he is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. He lives in Windsor Locks with his family.

Major Arthur Goodale  Major Goodale was promoted from Captain and has been assigned as Commanding Officer of State Police Eastern District Headquarters.  As a Trooper for nearly 25 years, Major Goodale has earned three Medals for Lifesaving, one Medal for Meritorious Service, one Medal for Outstanding Service and six Unit Citation Awards, as well as a Merit Award from the Hartford Police Dept. He earned a B.S. in business administration and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. He lives in Marlborough with his family.

Major Alexander Rios Major Rios was promoted from Lieutenant and will now become Commanding Officer of the Labor Relations Unit.  His most recent assignment was as Commanding Officer of Troop C in Tolland. As lieutenant, he served as Commander of Troop A in Southbury and in the Bureau of Professional Standards. A Trooper for more than 20 years, he previously served in the Central District Major Crime Squad and at Troop H in Hartford and Troop K in Colchester. He holds a B.S. degree and resides in Manchester.

Captain David DelVecchia Captain DelVecchia was promoted from Lieutenant and will be assigned as Executive Officer of State Police Western District Headquarters.  A Trooper for 23 years, he has earned two Medals for Meritorious Service, 5 Unit Citation awards, a U.S. Attorney Commendation for Outstanding Service and FBI recognition for Outstanding Assist and Service. Captain DelVecchia most recently served as Commanding Officer of Troop I in Bethany; he previously served as Commander of the Western District Major Crime Squad and Commanding Officer at Troop L in Litchfield. He earned a B.S. from Western CT State University, a M.S. from the University of Charleston and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. He lives in central Connecticut.

Captain Scott A. Smith  Captain Smith was promoted from Lieutenant and has been assigned to the Bureau of Strategic Information Services.  He most recently served as Commanding Officer of the Research, Development and Planning Unit. As a Trooper for 17 years, He has earned two Unit Citation Awards. His previous assignments include Mansfield Resident Trooper, Tolland Resident Trooper and Commanding Officer in the Traffic Services Unit, as well as serving at Troop C in Tolland and Troop D in Danielson. He holds a B.A. degree and lives in Tolland with his family.

Lieutenant John Aiello  Lt. Aiello was promoted from Master Sergeant and most recently served at Troop E in Montville.  He will now be Commanding Officer of Troop D in Danielson.  A Trooper for 28 years, Lt. Aiello has served on the Major Crime Squad, as the Thompson Resident Trooper and in the Casino Unit, as well as at Troop D. He has earned a Medal for Meritorious Service and a Medal for Outstanding Service. Lt. Aiello holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and lives in Northeast Connecticut.

Lieutenant Erik M. Costa Lt. Costa was promoted from Sergeant and will now be Commanding Officer of the Research, Development and Planning Unit. During his 18 years as a State Trooper, he has earned a Medal for Lifesaving and three Unit Citation Awards. He most recently served as a Sergeant in the Eastern District Major Crime Squad and previously was assigned to Troop D in Danielson, Troop E in Montville and Troop F in Westbrook, as well as Resident Trooper in Brooklyn and Haddam. Lt. Costa earned a B.A. from Salve Regina University and a graduate certificate in leadership. He lives in Stonington with his family.

Master Sergeant Jack Goncalves M/Sgt. Goncalves was promoted from Sergeant and has been assigned as Executive Officer at Troop B in North Canaan. A Trooper for more than two decades, he has earned a Medal for Outstanding Service and a Unit Citation Award. He has served at Troops A in Southbury and Troop G in Bridgeport. He holds a B.S. degree and an M.S. degree from the University of New Haven. He resides in Shelton.

Master Sergeant Jeffrey R. McDermott  M/Sgt. McDermott was promoted from Sergeant and will now be Executive Officer at Troop D in Danielson. He most recently served at Troop E in Montville. During his 17-year State Police career, he has earned a Medal for Meritorious Service and three Unit Citation Awards, in addition to numerous other awards. He previously served at Troop H in Hartford and was a Canine Handler, as well as a resident Trooper in the towns of Lisbon and Jewett City and a resident Sergeant in the towns of Ledyard and East Lyme. Before being sworn in as a Connecticut State Trooper, he served as a Vermont State Trooper for two years. He holds a B.A. from Norwich University and lives with his family in Lisbon.

Master Sergeant Jong Park  M/Sgt. Park was promoted from Sergeant and has been assigned as Executive Officer at Troop I in Bethany.  He most recently served in the Office of Field Operations and as Supervisor of the DESPP Communications Center. A Trooper for 19 years, he previously served at Troop F in Westbrook, Troop G in Bridgeport and Troop I in Bethany, as well as in the Bureau of Criminal Investigations. M/Sgt. Park has earned a Medal for Meritorious Service, a Medal for Outstanding Service, several Unit Citation Awards and a U.S. Attorney Service Award. He holds a bachelor’s degree from UConn and lives in Northford with his family.

Master Sergeant Eric Peck M/Sgt. Peck was promoted from Sergeant and has been reassigned from Troop C in Tolland to Executive Officer at Troop E in Montville. During his 17 years as a State Trooper, M/Sgt. Peck has earned a Medal for Meritorious Service and two Unit Citation Awards. He has served in the Statewide Narcotics Task Force, as well as at Troop K in Colchester, Troop I in Bethany and Troop H in Hartford. M/Sgt. Peck earned a bachelor’s degree from Southern CT State University and previously served as an officer with the New Britain Police Dept. and the Woodbridge Police Dept. He lives in East Hampton with his family.-end-