Norwalk Firefighter Dealt Cocaine While On Duty: Cops

NORWALK, CT — A 45-year-old veteran Norwalk firefighter has been arrested on charges he allegedly sold cocaine to an undercover police officer while the firefighter was on duty, according to Norwalk police.

Mark W. Monroe, of June Avenue in Norwalk, was arrested on warrant Thursday following a several months-long investigation, says Norwalk Police Lt. James Walsh of the department's Special Services Division.

During the investigation, on at least two of Monroe's alleged drug deals he sold cocaine behind the Volk Central Fire Station, located at 121 Connecticut Ave., according to Walsh.

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"Monroe was arrested without incident at an undisclosed location on Main Avenue in the City Of Norwalk when he arrived to meet an undercover officer," wrote Walsh in a statement. "During the meet, Monroe sold the undercover officer three packages of cocaine weighing approximately 3.8 grams each (eight balls). In the course of the investigation Monroe sold cocaine to the undercover officer on four separate occasions. Two of the four transactions were conducted by Monroe when he was on duty as a Norwalk Firefighter."

Walsh says that Monroe conducted narcotics transactions at the Volk firehouse on multiple occasions, and in retail parking lots on New Canaan and West avenues.

"A search warrant was executed at [Monroe's] residence where investigators recovered 5 additional bags of cocaine weighing a total of 12.35 grams. Also seized were 5 Alprazolam pills, 152 Cialis pills, and 21 pills with no markings. All of the pills were not stored in their proper containers, and appear to be illegally obtained controlled prescription pills. Officers also recovered 11 vials of suspected steroids, and 300 hypodermic needles," wrote Walsh.

Police also recovered a loaded .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol located on top of a dresser in Monroe's bedroom "stored in a negligent/unsafe manner due to the presence of minor children in the household whom had access to the firearm."

Monroe has a valid State of Connecticut permit to possess the firearm, but the weapon was seized by police and secured at police headquarters "for safekeeping."

A search of Monroe's vehicle also turned up eight additional prescription pills (Alprazolam, Oxycodone, and Amphetamine), none of which were in proper containers, and another bag of cocaine weighing approximately 3.8 grams, according to police. Monroe's personal locker at the Volk firehouse also was searched but "no contraband was located."

Monroe was charged with nearly two dozen narcotics charges, in addition to Risk of Injury to a Minor and Failing to Responsibly Store a Firearm.

He was held in lieu of $150,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court this month.

Photo 1: Mark W. Monroe; Photo 2: Some of the charges Monroe faces. Photo credit: Norwalk Police Department