Meet Oxford's Newest Police Officer

OXFORD, CT - On Monday the Board of Selectmen hired a state police sergeant as its' newest police officer. Robert C. Desmarais Jr., of Middlebury will join the force as a patrolmanon November 1. He is due to retire from the state police on Oct. 1. He will earn $30.78 per hour and will work the 3 to 11 shift.

First Selectman George R. Temple said the town is happy to have an experienced officer join the force and said Desmarais was highly recommended. We are enthusiastic to have you on the force,'' said Temple.

Oxford Resident State Trooper Sgt. Dan Semosky said the town is "lucky'' to have him on the force. "It's a home run for the town of Oxford,'' said Semosky.

Desmarais said he's looking forward to coming back to Oxford as when he was a rookie trooper 25 years ago his first assignment was in Oxford. He thanked the selectmen for appointing him. "This is a fantastic opportunity,'' he said while standing with his wife Jackie. "I could not be happier to be here.''

From 1992 to present he has been with the state police and worked at Troop L in LItchfield, Troop A in Southbury and the Governor's Unit.; He was a patrol sergeant at Troop L and Troop G in Bridgeport. He was also a resident state trooper sergeant in Woodbury and Southbury and presently the day shift duty supervisor at Troop A.

He is a former marine and is an EMT, a certified firefighter and also attended the University of Connecticut Waterbury.