Memorial Bench Dedicated To Memory Of Late Enfield Police Officer

ENFIELD, CT — Since leaving patrol to dedicate himself full-time to the role of accreditation manager for the Enfield Police Department, Tom Pyrcz always took his break under a tree on the grounds behind headquarters, feeding birds right outside his office. When the popular veteran of more than a half-century of service died unexpectedly in December, his brother and sister officers looked for a way to honor his memory.

In stepped the employees of the Bloomfield Ambulatory Surgery Center, where Pyrcz's wife Lynn worked. They contributed the dollars necessary to create a memorial to their colleague's beloved husband: a beautiful black granite bench placed in the spot at which he spent so much of his break time.

Emblazoned with Pyrcz's photo, a replica of his badge 251, the words "In loving memory of Thomas J. "Tommy" Pyrcz" and his trademark farewell line, "Good to see ya," the bench, created by D’Agata-Perry Granite & Bronze of Windsor, was formally dedicated in a private ceremony on July 23.

"We watched Lynn and her family struggle with this tremendous and unexpected loss," said Dawn Friedl, a registered nurse at the surgery center. "Collectively as a work family, we decided a memorial bench would be an admirable way to honor a man who is so loved and respected and that maybe it could bring some peace to the family knowing that he will not be forgotten. Some of us knew Tom on a personal level, some did not, but all gave towards the collection for the bench generously and without question."

Capt. Steve Kaselouskas led the team of Enfield officers who worked on the concept for the bench and selected the location.

"We felt it was fitting to put it there," Kaselouskas said. "Tom was a titan among us."

Chief Alaric Fox said, "Tommy was not just a long-term member of this agency - he was an iconic member of this agency. We're thrilled to have a permanent tribute to him that will allow generations to come in the future to appreciate the contributions he made to this community."

"When Steve called me a few weeks ago to tell me about the bench and the dedication, I was hit with a flood of emotions," Lynn Pyrcz said. "I consider this to be the perfect gift to both my children and me, and Tom’s brothers and sisters in blue. Even for the new and future members of the Enfield Police Department, its location outside of the police station will remind those who knew him and those who hear about him, of his years of dedication and service to the town and its citizens. It will always be a source of pride to Steven, Julie and me, as Tom truly was an honorable and fair man in every aspect of his life."

To register for free Enfield news alerts and more, click here.