Meet All The Naugatuck Police Officers Who Saved Lives: VIDEO

Naugatuck Police Department would like to congratulate the recipients of the 2016-2019 Awards and recognition ceremony. Video Credit: Officer Connor Faticoni (See below for the video)

Medal for Meritorious Service: Awarded for rendering a service with a high degree of alertness, perseverance, and superior judgment in the performance of a difficult task resulting in protection of life, recovery of property, the prevention of solving of a major crime, or the apprehension of an armed or dangerous criminal.

Life Saving Medal: Awarded for saving a person’s life or making a valiant attempt to do so.

Medal for Outstanding Service: Awarded for: 1) Successfully performing an extremely complex or difficult investigation, or 2) Demonstrating exceptional skill or ingenuity in the apprehension of a wanted person, or 3) Providing outstanding service to the public, or 4) Continuously achieving excellence in performance of duties over an extended period.

Unit Citation: Awarded to recognize exceptional collective efforts by members of a
department command or group.

MEDAL FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE

18-8979 Officer Hannah Turci
Unit Citations for: Sergeant Ronald Pugliese, Officers James McMasters, John Williams, David Graham and Dispatcher Danielle Pernell

In early 2018, Officer Turci and Officer McMasters were dispatched to a 9-1-1 call of a man outside a female’s apartment with a knife. Officer Turci arrived on scene and was confronted by a male holding a knife and male bleeding from serious stab wounds inflicted by the suspect. Officer Turci with her sidearm drawn, was able to disarm the male and hold him at gunpoint until Sgt Pugliese and Ofc. Williams arrived. During this time the victim was also allowed to escape to safety. Ofc. McMasters was able to medically treat the victim until EMS arrived on scene. It was due to these officers’ actions that a violent offender was taken into custody and seriously injured victim was quickly rendered aid.

18-1641 Sergeant Michael Wawrzyniak and Officer David Graham

In January 2018, then Detective, now Sergeant Michael Wawrzyniak and David Graham were working an extra duty assignment when a call came in for a structure fire. The two immediately responded to the scene and found heavy smoke coming out of the dwelling. Detective Wawrzyniak and Ofc. Graham entered the building and located a woman on the second floor who was refusing to leave. With the conditions worsening, the woman was carried out. Detective Wawrzyniak then reentered the home to save the daughters hamster. It was due to these officers’ actions that everyone made it out of the home safely.

18-15511 Sergeant Michael Wawrzyniak and Dispatcher Andrew Evancho

Unit Citation For: Officer Hanna Turci, Officer James McMasters, Officer Nick Lavoie, Officer Brandon Hudson, Detective Thomas McGarvey, Sergeant Ronald Pugliese.

On June 3, 2018 at 3:00am, Dispatcher Evancho noticed a vehicle pulling in and out of the police department parking lot multiple times. Evancho had previously fielded a 9-1-1 call stating that a man fitting the description of the man in the parking lot just shot and killed his girlfriend. Sergeant Wawrzyniak coordinated several patrol officers and officers who were in the building working an extra duty assignment to surround the vehicle for the purpose of taking the man into custody. The suspect ended up taking his life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound as officers approached. Officers provided medical care until EMS arrived on scene.

Sergeant Wawrzyniak continued this investigation which eventually lead to the discovery of the suspect’s girlfriend who was unfortunately deceased. It is clear that under the leadership of Sgt. Wawryznyiak these officers worked as an effective and cohesive unit who left a violent offender no avenue for escape. Dispatcher Evancho’s attentiveness to duty was able to quickly identity this same vehicle in the parking lot as the one involved in the murder thereby heightening officers’ response and safety. Ultimately the suspect would choose to take his own life rather than answer for his heinous crime.

16-22541 Detective Paul Bertola

In 2016, then Officer, now Detective Bertola conducted a motor vehicle investigation in which marijuana, LSD and a handgun was discovered incident to arrest. It was determined that the firearm was obtained illegally which led to a parallel investigation with the Connecticut State Police Firearms Unit. It is only due to Officer Bertola’s attention to detail that led a seemingly minor motor vehicle investigation to drugs and an illegal firearm being taken off the streets.

LIFE SAVING MEDAL

16-30599 Officer Mathew Savoy and Officer Marcus Jacoboski

On November 15, 2016 Officer Matthew Savoy and Officer Marcus Jacoboski were dispatched to an unresponsive male and performed CPR. An AED was used and advised “no shock”. Officers continued CPR for well over 15 minutes until an ambulance arrived for transport. The continued effort allowed for sustainment of life and ultimately the victim regaining their heartbeat at the hospital.

16-20646 Lieutenant Daniel Norck and Detective Alexia Castro

On July 26, 2016 Lieutenant Daniel Norck and Detective Alexia Castro responded to Hop Brook Golf Course for the report of a male who fell to the ground suffering from an apparent heart attack. The male was in the area of the 3rd hole of the golf course and became unresponsive with no pulse. Lieutenant Norck arrived first and began CPR until Detective Castro arrived and connected an AED and administered two shocks until EMS arrived and transported the male to St. Mary’s Hospital. The life savings efforts taken by these officers saved the life of Mr. Jacoboski, father of Retired Officer Marcus Jacoboski.

16-19895 Detective Alexia Castro and Detective Tom McGarvey

On July 17, 2016 Detective Alexia Castro and Detective Tom McGarvey were dispatched to BiG Y for an unresponsive male. Detective McGarvey and Detective Castro arrived on scene and assisted off duty Paramedic Michael Drunkenmiller performing CPR, using an Oropharyngeal airway, and administered a shock using an AED. A week later, the department was notified by the son that the male suffered a massive heart attack and the doctors advised him that his father would not have survived without the efforts of Detective McGarvey, Detective Castro and Paramedic Drunkenmiller.

17-13482 Officer Ian Kosky, K9 Vane

On May 20, 2017 Officer Kosky and his K9 Vane responded to the report of a female who had cut her wrists, took a large quantity of prescription medications, and left a suicide note before leaving her residence on foot. It was clear from the onset the female intended to end her life. Officers checked the neighboring yards but could not locate the female. Officer Kosky and his K9 partner Vane were dispatched to the scene. Officer Kosky and Vane tracked into a wooded thicket in the area of Spencer Street and located the female lying down in a pile of brush. The female had lacerations to both her forearms. But for Officer Kosky and Vane the female could not have been located as quickly and received the life-saving medical treatment she was in need of.

18-22357 Detective Jon Slavin, Detective Tom McGarvey, and Officer Collin Paternoster

On August 20, 2018 Detective Jon Slavin, Detective Tom McGarvey and Officer Paternoster were dispatched to a suicidal female sitting on a railing in the garage of her residence with a rope around her neck that was tied to the ceiling rafters. Upon arrival officers entered the house and observed the female with her back to the door talking on her cell phone. Detective Slavin and Detective McGarvey entered the garage and were able to grab hold of the female and secure her while Officer Paternoster cut the rope from the ceiling rafters. The female was taken to the hospital for evaluation and treatment. It is clear these officers’ decisive and quick-thinking actions prevented the female from successfully harming herself.

18-20313 Chief Steven Hunt

Unit Citation Lieutenant Colin McAllister, Sergeant Michael Wawrzyniak, Officer Otis Baskins, Detective Thomas McGarvey, Officer James Tortora, Officer Connor Faticoni, Officer Danielle Durette, Officer Nick Lavoie, Officer David Graham, Officer Steven Vitka, and Officer Collin Paternoster.

On July 28, 2018 Officers responded to an emotionally distraught woman barricaded in her bedroom threatening to kill herself with a loaded handgun. Inside the residence, her son locked himself in bedroom while the husband and daughter were fled the residence. Sergeant Wawyrzniak spoke with the woman who agreed to come outside but was still holding the firearm. The female moved to a wooded area behind the residence where she refused to surrender. While all this was occurring Lieutenant McAllister and Officer Baskins entered the residence and evacuated the last remaining child. At this point, Chief Hunt reestablished contact by cellular phone with the woman. After negotiations Chief Hunt was able to convince the woman put the firearm down and voluntarily surrender by walking out of the woods with her hands raised. Officers recovered the loaded firearm in the woods and assisted getting medical treatment for the woman. It was clear that the officers worked as a cohesive team to establish a perimeter preventing the female from leaving the confines of her property into the densely populated area. Additional officers effectively coordinated the evacuation of family members to safety. Furthermore, Chief Hunt was able to convince the distraught person to peacefully surrender who was clearly expressing intent to harm herself with a loaded gun.

19-2758 Officer Ian Kosky, Officer David Graham, and Officer Joseph Palhete
Unit Citation: Sergeant Michael Wawrzyniak

On February 3, 2019 Officer David Graham, Officer Joseph Palhete and Officer Ian Kosky and his K9 partner vane were dispatched to a report of a male who had overdosed. Prior to the officers’ arrival, the male regained consciousness and fled the area on foot into the woods. The weather was freezing with snow and ice covering the ground. The male was in a state of only partial dress. After being led to a location where officers located foot-prints in the snow by Officer Kosky and his K9, Officer Graham and Palhete located the male laying in the snow. It was later determined the male had once again overdosed and the officers performed live saving measures until EMS arrived.

It was also during this incident that Officer Kosky became severely injured during the K9 track. This resulted in Sgt. Wawrzyniak having to coordinate rescue efforts for the overdosed male, while also managing Ofc. Kosky’s injury and his K9 which was becoming distressed due to his handler’s injury. It was due to Sgt. Wawrzyniak’s effective leadership and coordination of his unit that lead to a safe and successful outcome of this incident.

MEDAL FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE

18-3857 Sergeant Wawrzyniak and Detective Zainc

In 2017 Detective Zainc and then Detective, now Sergeant Wawrzyniak, were tasked with a narcotic- related investigation into a convicted felon who was believed to be conducting distribution-level and street-level narcotics sales in Naugatuck. The investigation involved multiple jurisdictions and multiple agencies including the DEA. After numerous controlled buys, Detective Zainc and Detective Wawrzyniak were able to secure three arrest warrants and seize 52 grams of crack-cocaine and approximately $7,500 in cash. The detailed and comprehensive investigation completed by these detectives prevented these dangerous narcotics from being sold on the streets of our community. Furthermore, it removed a narcotics distributor from Naugatuck who received a lengthy period of incarceration.

16-31872 Detective Zainc
Unit Citation For: Chief Hunt, Ret Detective Lieutenant Ronald Hunt and Ret Detective Paul Markette

In 2017, then Captain, now Chief Hunt, Detective Lieutenant Ronald Hunt, Detective Paul Markette were assigned to a joint investigation with five other departments of over seventeen armed robberies with the same suspect. After several meetings a suspect was discovered and a GPS was placed on the suspect’s vehicle which was monitored by the detectives. Detective Zainc noticed the GPS moving suspiciously which alerted him to start surveilling which ended up catching the suspect committing another robbery. The dangerous felon was taken into custody at gunpoint and charged with eighteen separate felony warrants for robbery along with finding a facsimile firearm, cash and a mask, which was used in the previous robberies. Detective Zainc is being awarded with a medal for Outstanding Service and Chief Hunt, Retired Detective Lieutenant Ronald Hunt, and Retired Detective Paul Markette are receiving a Unit Citation for their involvement. These officers were able to take a violent robbery suspect into custody thereby ending his dangerous crime spree throughout the region.

UNIT CITATION

18-2444 Officer Hannah Turci, Officer Nick Lavoie, Officer Stephen Fortin

On January 26, 2018 Officer Hannah Turci, Officer Nick Lavoie, and Officer Stephen Fortin were dispatched to a mobile home fire with an occupant trapped inside. Officers arrived to find the mobile home fully engulfed in flames. Officer Turci assisted two females out of the home. Officers repeatedly attempted to enter the residence but due to the smoke and flames were not able to make entry due to being overcome by the conditions. The officers then quickly formed up into teams and began alerting neighbors and evacuated the area as there was a large external propane tank which was in danger of being overtaken by the fire. While unfortunately the one remaining occupant would succumb to the fire, these officers demonstrated decisiveness, quick-thinking, and team work in mitigating the damage from the fire and evacuating other residents from danger.

16-12682 Sergeant Derek Poundstone, Sergeant Ryan Burns, Officer Carl Schaaf, Officer Jasen Markette and Officer Stephen Fortin

On April 29, 2016, Sergeant Poundstone, then Officer, now Sergeant Burns, Officer Schaaf, Officer Markette and Officer Fortin responded to an emotional disturbed person who barricaded himself in his residence and was spraying pepper spray at family members through a window. Officers made entry into the home and were immediately pepper sprayed by the suspect. The occupant was combative and it was clear he was intending to harm officers. Officers were able to take the man into custody while fighting through the painful effects of Pepper Spray. Ultimately the disturbed person would be transported to the hospital for evaluation and would not sustain any significant injury as a result of the quick-thinking and close coordination of these officers.

17-8964 Lieutenant Pete Bosco, Lieutenant Derek Vostinak, Lieutenant Colin McAllister, Detective Thomas McGarvey, Officer Americo Tavares, Officer Alan Crosswait, Officer Jack DeOliveira, Officer Matt DaSilva, Officer Marc Robinson, Officer Luis Martinez, Officer James Tortora, Dispatcher Kelly Orsini and Dispatcher Danielle Pernell.

In 2017, an individual committed an armed robbery at a local business on Rubber Avenue during busy daytime hours. This individual was armed and fled the scene after stealing a large sum of money. A description was clearly dispatched, a perimeter was established, and evidence was quickly located with the assistance of detectives. In the incident occurred in a densely populated area and officers were forced to go door-to-door to alert homeowners and attempt to locate this suspect. Dispatch coordinated multiple officers including canines from the state police. The suspect was eventually apprehended shortly after the robbery in a nearby residence with his identity finally confirmed through a thorough investigation coordinated between the detective division and patrol officer.

Chief’s Letter Civilian Recognition. Brian Mariano, James Leary, Greg Quadrato, and Anthony Mariano

On March 20, 2017 then School Resource Officer Matt DaSilva was meeting with a distraught student in the confines of a small office at the school when the student quickly turned violent toward Officer DaSilva. Officer DaSilva had difficulty calling for assistance while struggling with the student. During the altercation, school administrators Brian Mariano, James Leary, Greg Quadrato, and Anthony Mariano without hesitation assisted Officer DaSilva in gaining control of the student until backup officers could arrive and take the student into custody. A search of the student revealed that the student had a multi tool blade.

Charlie Santos:
On August 16, 2017 Officers were dispatched to a local business on Church Street to assist Fairfield Police Department in attempt to locate a male who had several active arrest warrants and was suspected in a theft of a handgun. While officers were searching the area, Charlie Santos noticed someone on the rooftop of his restaurant who was clearly trying to elude officers’ attempt to locate him. Due to the information provided by Santos, officers were able to gain access to the rooftop and apprehend the suspect. The information provided by Charlie Santos lead officers to arresting this dangerous individual.