State Police Lt. J. Paul Vance, Spokesman During Sandy Hook Shooting, Set to Retire

State Police Lt. J. Paul Vance who served as the department’s longtime spokesman will retire April 1.

Vance became internationally known following the Sandy Hook School Shooting as he provided the world with updates about the shooting that left 20 children and six educators dead.

Vance is one of the most senior members of State Police with more than 42 years of service, according to the Hartford Courant. He served as the department spokesman from 1999 to 2015 when he was transferred to the traffic division against his personal wishes. He earns more than $129,000 annually, according to state payroll records.

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Throughout the years Vance has served in a number of capacities for the department outside of his well-known spokesman role. He was an instructor at the State Police Academy, A member of the State Police Aviation Unit and a resident state trooper in Prospect for 16 years, according to Fox 61.

Vance wrote an open letter following his transfer thanking members of the department, media and public for their support and cooperation throughout the years.

“The tragedies that we have worked on together in our state have always been handled with dignity by all of you, especially December of 2012,” he said in the letter. “I will never forget the professionalism and class everyone showed during that horrific time.”

Sgt. Shane Hassett assumed the public information officer role for State Police, but he transferred out of the role after the 24/7 nature of the job conflicted with his personal life, according to WTNH. Since then Trooper First Class Kelly Grant has become the new PIO.

Story By Rich Scinto, Patch Staff

Image via Jason DeCrow/Associated Press