State Trooper Honored for His 'Outstanding Service' on a Naugatuck Robbery

Trooper First Class Benjamin Pagoni earned the Outstanding Service Award, which is given to those who successfully perform an extreme, complex or difficult investigation.

The Trooper may demonstrate exceptional skill or ingenuity in the apprehension of a wanted person, provide outstanding service to the public and/or continuously achieve excellence in performance over an extended period of time. The award was given earlier this month.

Here are the details of the case:

On March 31, 2015, a convenience store in Naugatuck was robbed. Naugatuck Police Officers developed a suspect description and a vehicle description, which were broadcast to surrounding jurisdictions. The suspect’s last known residence was in Prospect and Naugatuck Officers were responding to that address.

Trooper Pagoni, was on his way home from evening shift when he heard the radio transmissions regarding the vehicle description. Although his shift was complete, he offered to meet Naugatuck Officers at the Prospect address.

The suspect was not present at the house, but Trooper Pagoni learned additional information about the crime, the suspect and the suspect’s vehicle. Rather than go home, Trooper Pagoni continued to search for the suspect and located him in a vehicle at a Waterbury gas station.

Fearing that the suspect might flee or cause a hostage situation at the gas station, he took the suspect into custody and recovered the proceeds of the initial robbery.

Based on the review of the Waterbury gas station’s video surveillance, it is further believed that Trooper Pagoni’s quick and selfless actions likely thwarted a second robbery. He earned the Medal for Outstanding Service.