Pioneering Enfield Police Officer Janette Young Dies

ENFIELD, CT — Janette Young, a law enforcement pioneer in north-central Connecticut as one of the first female patrol officers in the area who ultimately enjoyed a 20-year career with the Enfield Police Department, died Wednesday. She was 89.

Born Janette Lamb on Jan. 19, 1931, Young began working in Enfield on July 25, 1966. She served as a police woman as the Juvenile Officer through the Detective Division from the time she was hired until her promotion as the first female patrol sergeant. She later became the first female lieutenant on the force, retiring with that rank on Sept. 2, 1986.

Several of Young's colleagues and friends expressed their admiration for her with Patch after learning of her passing.

Retired Chief Carl Sferrazza served as a patrol officer under Young upon joining the police force in 1980.

"When I was young in 1980, she was my sergeant," he said. "She was a wonderful supervisor, she always took time for you and never made you feel like any question was silly. Janette had a tremendous capacity for listening to other officers and the public."

Officer Tom Pyrcz, who is still working with the department after more than four decades, recalled when Young moved into the patrol division, becoming the first woman to do so in Enfield.

"She worked with the juveniles for a long time, and coming into patrol when she did, everyone wondered how she would do," he said. "I was wonderfully surprised. She was a great boss to work for as both a sergeant and a lieutenant, and also became a personal friend. I thought the world of her."

Retired officer Sharon LaBrecque wrote in an email, "She faced a lot of adversity from "some of the rank and file officers" in the department because she never went to the academy and was promoted to sergeant. Lt. Young handled this with grace and calm and won the officers over by listening to everyone and being fair and positive with all. I feel that her religious beliefs helped her with everything that she did. She was a role model to numerous women and girls."

In an email, current Chief Alaric Fox wrote, "While I, most unfortunately, did not have the pleasure of working with Lt. Young, I am told by those who did that she served with pride, honor and distinction. It is very fair to say that her service was groundbreaking within the town of Enfield."

Sandra Butcher, a friend of Young's for more than 50 years, got to know her through their mutual involvement with the Hazardville United Methodist Church.

"I am so honored to be a friend of Janette, who has been a great role model to me starting back in 1967 when I was a young mother," Butcher wrote in an email. "I first met her, husband Dick and two of her children, Ginny and Jimmy and later their families, at the Hazardville United Methodist Church. Janette was a prominent leader in our United Methodist women's group. She was always willing to help; as recently as December, when there was work to be done or fundraising, Janette always helped out. We could always count on Janette, whether it was baking pies or cookies, leading worship, as speaker to share her knowledge to others, and the great shepherding of others. Janette was a woman who took time for everyone who needed a lending hand, listening ear or if asked, good sound advice. I count her as a dear friend who taught me how to fashion my life. Janette, you will be missed by all."

Visitation and services for Young will be scheduled at a later time. She will be interred in the Sunset Memorial Garden in Ponca City, Okla. Leete-Stevens Enfield Chapels is assisting her family with arrangements.