Retired Enfield Police Chief Ron Marcotte Passes Away

ENFIELD, CT — Retired Chief Ron Marcotte, who headed the Enfield Police Department for more than a decade, passed away Thursday. He was 71.

Marcotte joined the department as a patrolman in 1969 and worked his way up the ranks. He was promoted to sergeant in 1976, lieutenant in 1978, captain in 1984 and deputy chief in 1991. On Oct. 2, 1994, he was sworn in as chief to replace the retiring Herbert Foy.

Marcotte served as chief for just over 11 years, retiring on Dec. 30, 2005.

"He was an extremely loyal individual," retired chief Carl Sferrazza said. "He served his country in the military, and was loyal to the police department and the people of Enfield. Most of all, he was a tremendous father and husband. It was such a comfort to know he was standing side by side with you."

Following Marcotte's retirement, he remained active as a volunteer, assisting with the department's Toys For Joy each holiday season. A portrait of Marcotte was unveiled in the police department lobby in 2011, alongside those of former chiefs Walter Skower and Foy.

"The town of Enfield was truly blessed to have such a long-term leader of this organization, who led us from the 20th century into the 21st," current chief Alaric Fox said. "I hope to hold that mantle as high as he did."

"I first met Ron Marcotte when I was a young boy growing up in our Hazardville neighborhood," former mayor Scott Kaupin said. "Ron and his wife Sue lived on Longview Road, which was the single street that led to the larger neighborhood. His presence as a neighbor and police officer provided both a sense of security to the neighborhood, and of caution to the young kids because we just never knew when our paths would cross. During his 11-year tenure as chief, I recall his determination to improve both the resources the department had available for its use, plus the connections the department had with the residents and business owners. His budget presentations were always a bit matter of fact with a good dose of humor, including smiley faces. After Ron's retirement from the police department, I remember his ongoing commitment to the Toys For Joy program, and volunteered with him numerous times helping to pack and distribute the toys. Chief Ron Marcotte served our town well, both as a public servant and as a role model for so many to follow and learn from inside and outside of law enforcement."

Lt. Willie Pedemonti, who has been with the department for more than 30 years, said marcotte was the chief who promoted him to sergeant.

"I've known Ronnie since I was an Explorer in the early 1980s," Pedemonti said. "He used the Explorers all the time. He was a fun guy, always smiled, and he loved his job. He was a cop's cop."

Enfield Fire Chief Ed Richards recalled, "Ron was one hell of a good cop. He was particularly fond of telling me the story about my father throwing him off the school bus when he was a wiseguy teenager. Ron was a beat cop in downtown Thompsonville and managed to get into a brawl most every Friday and/or Saturday night with one or more of the local drunks. He always used to say those were the good old days."

A funeral Mass is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 7 at 11 a.m. at Holy Family Church. Burial will follow in Enfield Street Cemetery.

Photo courtesy of Enfield Police Department

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