Southington Officer Recognized For Actions During Pursuit

SOUTHINGTON, CT — Officer Michael Fisher of the Southington Police Department has been recognized by the Stops Sticks tire deflation device company for the "Stop Sticks Hit of the Year" award.

The award was presented Wednesday.

Stop Sticks devices used by police to set in a roadway when a vehicle is refusing to stop. They are designed to puncture tires after being run over. Out of thousands of pursuits nationwide, Fisher was the first officer ever to deploy the Stop Sticks device and disable two separate vehicles on one deployment, according to the award description.

The case dates back to ]Oct. 5. Cheshire police were attempting to stop two stolen vehicles that were headed to Southington. Cheshire police notified Southington police and Fisher responded to the area of Meriden Waterbury Turnpike and Old Turnpike Road, records show.

He then deployed the Stop Sticks across Meriden Waterbury Turnpike. Both fleeing vehicles ran over the Stop Sticks, which he then quickly pulled from the road so that police could continue to follow the vehicles, according to case records.

Both vehicles became disabled a short distance away from the deployment location and suspects from both vehicles were taken into custody, police said.