Oxford State Troopers, Officers Win Awards

Press Release:

Twice a year, the Connecticut State Police honors Troopers who demonstrate bravery and outstanding service in the line of duty.  The ceremony also honors men and women serving in local and federal law enforcement agencies, those serving as first responders, and civilians.  Award winners received medals and certificates from Commissioner Reuben F. Bradford and State Police Colonel Danny R. Stebbins. 

Awards were presented Thursday in five categories:

• The Meritorious Service Medal is awarded to those who render service with a high degree of alertness, perseverance and superior judgment in the performance of a difficult task resulting in the protection of life, recovery of property, the prevention of – or solving of – a major crime or the apprehension of an armed or dangerous person.
• The Lifesaving Award is presented to those who save a human life or make a valiant attempt to save a life.
• The Outstanding Service Award 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 Unit Citation is awarded to members of a department, a command or group who combine their resources to achieve success in an investigation or event. The citation recognizes exceptional collective efforts.
• The Commissioner’s Recognition Award is presented by the agency commissioner to a person who has been instrumental in helping the State Police accomplish their job of public safety for all. This is generally presented to civilians (non-law enforcement).

Awards were presented to the following Oxford troopers and officers:

Oxford Police Officer Dennis J. D’Archangelo, Oxford Officer Gary M. Soules, Sergeant Daniel Semosky  On March 28, 2011, at 6:30 p.m., the Oxford Resident Troopers Office was notified by Milford Police of an investigation involving a female in their city and her former boyfriend, a resident of Oxford.  The female provided an e-mail written by the former boyfriend in which he threatened suicide. The female confirmed that he owned both a shotgun and a handgun, and that he had attempted to commit suicide in the past. 

Oxford Resident Supervisor Sgt. Semosky, along with Oxford Officers D’Archangelo and Soules responded to the boyfriend’s Oxford residence.  After gaining entry into the home, the officers conducted a tactical search of the residence. They quietly ascended the stairs and quickly entered the distraught man’s bedroom, swiftly subduing and securing him, along with his loaded 12-gauge shotgun.  The distraught man confessed that he was about to shoot himself and only immediate State Police intervention prevented him from going through with his plans.

Officers D’Archangelo & Soules and Sgt. Semosky each earned a Lifesaving Award.

Oxford Police Officer Gary M. Soules, Oxford Officer Peter J. Hopson  On June 5, 2011, 10:18 p.m., Oxford Police Officers Soules and Hopson responded to a burglary in progress at a CL&P compound in Oxford.  .   Officer Hopson secured the front side of the compound and both officers began a coordinated tactical search of the dark interior of the lot with their service weapons drawn.

The officers observed two figures hiding in the shadows of a storage container located in a corner of the lot. Officer Soules approached the suspects and ordered them to lie on the ground.  Officer Hopson covered the suspects with his weapon while Officer Soules handcuffed them and took them into custody.

The two suspects had entered several storage units and removed various power tools from trucks parked inside the compound. The two men were found to be suspects in several other similar incidents in surrounding towns.  The immediate response of Officers Soules and Hopson resulted in the apprehension of two felons in the act of stealing $10,000 dollars worth of tools and materials.

Officers Soules and Hopson each earned an Award for Outstanding Service.

This press release comes from the Connecticut Department of Public Safety. Read the full release here.