Norwalk Police Memorialize Fallen Officers

We give awesome responsibilities to police officers, Chief Harry W. Rilling said Friday morning. "How do you properly pay tribute to those who have given their lives in service to their communities?"

Rilling spoke at the Police Department's annual Police Memorial Service, which he instituted 15 years ago. He said the event was emotional for him, since he'll be retiring as head of the department before the end of the year.

Since it's inception, Norwalk's department has lost four members in the line of duty: Sgt. Frank S. Stratton, Ofc. Sherrald Gorton, Sgt. Nicholas Fera, and Ofc. Marco Carias.

We honor those who have died in the line of duty, Rilling said. "Never forget their courage, their spirit, their sacrifices, the familes they leave behind."

Looking toward the future of law enforcement, Rilling noted that members of the department's new Explorer Post were participating in the service for the first time.

Mayor Richard Moccia thanked Rilling for his time as chief, saying "You have helped development one of the finest departments not just in the state of Connecticut, but in the country."

Of police work, Moccia said, "You have to be a psychiatrist, you have to be a legal expert, you have to be in physical shape, you have to be prepared to take dramatic action, all in a short period of time. It's not easy and sometimes the public doesn't understand that."

Det. Kristina LaPak sang the National Anthem at the event, and bugler Fred Miodonski played Taps.