Greenwich Mourns The Loss Of Lead Police Dispatcher Frank O'Toole

GREENWICH, CT — The Greenwich Police Department community is mourning the loss of Lead Public Safety Dispatcher Francis "Frank" O'Toole, a 13-year veteran of the department, who died unexpectedly on Nov. 8. He was 39.

"Frank's demeanor during a chaotic incident had a calming effect. He never was unnerved and was that voice over the radio the emergency personnel needed to hear during a crisis," GPD Chief James Heavey said in a tweet on Wednesday.

O'Toole was born and raised in Greenwich, and graduated from Greenwich High School in 2000. Growing up, he participated in the local Scout Pack/Troop 1 and served as an altar boy at Sacred Heart Church from first grade through his senior year. At GHS, he was a member of the International Thespian Society and played the tuba in the band.

"We're all very sad at Frank's passing at a way too young an age. He leaves a legacy of passion for his job, of being extremely well-liked by not only his colleagues, but all those who knew him," First Selectman Fred Camillo said Wednesday. "We offer his mom and family our condolences and they're certainly in our thoughts prayers during this very difficult time."

According to his obituary, O'Toole worked as a Greenwich town employee for over 20 years, and began his career as a Ranger at Tod’s Point.

He was a skate guard and Zamboni driver at Dorothy Hamill Rink before he began his career at the GPD on March 10, 2008. He also volunteered with the Red Cross where he taught CPR to first responders, and was a member of the Cos Cob Fire Police Patrol (CCFPP).

As a 2nd Lieutenant and appointed driver with the CCFPP, O'Toole served on the Bed and Truck Committee for the 2004 CCFPP apparatus (Patrol 2), chaired the wet down ceremony for the truck, and was named Patrolman of the Year, his obituary said.

He last held the title of Veteran for retired service members of 15 years or more.

The CCFPP posted a remembrance on Instagram on Wednesday.

"Frank was always a calm collected member that was a good sounding board at meetings and went with the flow at emergency scenes," the post said.

Lt. Martin O'Reilly said O'Toole had numerous letters of commendation in his file for outstanding performance and service to the community.

Capt. Mark Zuccerella of the GPD knew O'Toole for several decades; O'Toole served as an altar boy at Sacred Heart Church from first grade through his senior year.

"I remember when he was hired, he was one of the first civilian dispatchers we had. When I saw him, I said, 'Hey, you still have that same smile you had when you were eight years old.' He started laughing, and that was Frank," Zuccerella said.

Zucerella said O'Toole was someone you could rely on for information when you needed it the most.

"His demeanor over the radio, in the middle of something serious or not serious, it never changed. His voice would calm people," Zuccerella said. "It's a real shock that he's gone."

Friends may call at Castiglione Funeral Home, 544 Old Post Rd No. 3, in Greenwich from 3-7 p.m. on Nov. 14.

Funeral services will be held on Nov. 15 at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Greenwich, followed by a burial at St. Mary's Cemetery in Rye Brook, N.Y.