South Windsor Police Department Hosts Promotion, Awards Ceremony

From the South Windsor Police Department:

On Tuesday, Dec. 9, the South Windsor Police Department hosted a promotion and awards ceremony for the 4 officers promoted to their listed ranks in the Spring of this year. Chief Matthew Reed also recognized several officers for their conduct, the details are as follows:

Sergeant Michael Prescher
Sergeant Prescher is a 21-year veteran of the South Windsor Police Department and is currently assigned as the supervisor of the Relief Shift. He has served as a Traffic Accident Reconstructionist, Narcotics Investigator with a regional narcotics task force, East Central Narcotics, Criminal Investigator and Field Training Officer. Sergeant Prescher holds a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Connecticut State University.

Agent Matthew Mainieri
Agent Mainieri is a 15-year veteran of the South Windsor Police Department and is currently assigned as a Criminal Investigator in the Investigations Unit. He has served as a Field Training Officer and as a Traffic Accident Reconstructionist. He currently serves on the regional traffic unit, Metro Traffic Services, the regional Emergency Services Team as a Tactical Operator and also serves as a motor officer, operating one of the department’s motorcycles during special events. Agent Mainieri holds an associate’s degree from Champlain College.

Agent Mark Cleverdon
Agent Cleverdon is a 7-year veteran of the South Windsor Police Department and is currently assigned to the Patrol Division. Agent Cleverdon is a Field Training Officer. He has served as a Narcotics Investigator with a regional narcotics task force, East Central Narcotics. Agent Cleverdon holds a bachelor’s degree from University of Hartford.

Agent Brian Eckblom
Agent Eckblom is a 10-year veteran of the South Windsor Police Department and is currently assigned as a School Resource Officer at the South Windsor High School. He has served as a Field Training Officer and as a Traffic Accident Reconstructionist. He has served on the regional traffic unit, Metro Traffic Services. Agent Eckblom holds a bachelor’s degree from Bates College and recently completed his Master’s Degree at Central Connecticut State University.

The following officers were given awards for their conduct, both on and off-duty. A summary of their actions, as written and awarded by Chief Reed follows:

Lifesaving:
Officer Tina Roy
In recognition of your lifesaving efforts on Friday, February 7, 2014, when a student, who was eating lunch in your office, began to choke on his food. You quickly recognized that the student was in respiratory distress and administered the Heimlich maneuver. After administering the maneuver a second time, the obstruction was dislodged and the student began to breathe again. You administered oxygen to the student, calmed him and escorted him to the school nurse. The student was treated and made a full recovery. Your actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of law enforcement and resulting in the saving of a life.
(Note: This is Officer Roy’s third Lifesaving award; she has also been recognized for performing CPR off-duty at a youth sports event, saving a man’s life by doing so)

Distinguished Service Medal:
Missing Person:
Lieutenant Scott Custer
Sergeant Michael Prescher
Officer Christopher Poehnert
In recognition of your perseverance and dedication to duty on Friday, October 31, 2014, when you and fellow officers responded to a report of a missing person on Oakland Road. The 79-year old female was reported missing from a local home shortly before 3:00 p.m. She had been missing for an undetermined amount of time but had last been seen about six hours earlier. The woman was described as being physically limited, suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and not able to speak English. As you began to search the surrounding area, a silver alert was broadcast and a search dog team from the Connecticut State Police was summoned. The search for the woman lasted two hours as the woods and terrain in the area were scoured for clues. Finally, just after 5:00 p.m. the woman was located lying down along a stream in a deep, wooded ravine. She was barely conscious. The victim was evacuated from the location and brought to a local hospital where she was treated and made a full recovery. Your actions and perseverance during the extended search resulted in the preservation of life and protected the victim from further injury. Your actions are worthy of emulation and reflect distinct credit upon you and the South Windsor Police Department.

Distinguished Service Medal:
Condominium Fire:
Officer Peter Korchari
Officer Joseph Futtner
Officer Benjamin White
In recognition of your courage and dedication to duty on Saturday, July 19, 2014, when you and fellow officers were called to respond to a structure fire at a local condominium complex shortly before 6:00 a.m. As you arrived you found a substantial portion of one building of the complex engulfed in flames. Seeing few people outside you realized that residents must still be inside the building. Each of you began to force entry into each of the apartments. In four of the units you found residents asleep or otherwise unaware of the fire raging in the building around them. The fire quickly spread throughout the structure however, your rapid and decisive action resulted in the building being safely evacuated and all residents being accounted for. Your actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of law enforcement and clearly resulted in the protection and preservation of life.

Fitness Award:
Officer PeggySue Clouser
In recognition of your participation in 2014 Ragner Relay Series at Cape Cod, Massachusetts from Friday, May 9, 2014 through Saturday, May 10, 2014. During this 24-hour event you ran several relay legs for a total of 12 miles. Your commitment to the preparation and conditioning necessary for you to complete this event demonstrates your desire for and understanding of the importance of physical wellness.

Exceptional Community Service Award: (Special Olympics of Connecticut)
Agent Ron Littell
In recognition of your tireless and extraordinary efforts in support of Special Olympics Connecticut and in particular the Law Enforcement Torch Run. Since 2000, you have dedicated yourself to fundraising efforts to benefit the athletes of Special Olympic Connecticut. You have coordinated the South Windsor Police Department’s participation in the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run ensuring police runners were available and able to carry the Special Olympics flame through the streets of South Windsor on the way to the annual Summer Games in New Haven. In further support of the Torch Run you have coordinated numerous fundraising events to include, the Penguin Plunge, Tip-A-Cop and Cop on Top. Most recently you created yet another fundraising event known as the Haunted Torch Walk. Through the years, these events have raised more than $200,000 to benefit Special Olympics Connecticut. For three years in a row you have been recognized as the top fundraiser in the state for the Law Enforcement Torch Run. Your continuing efforts and dedication through the years, both on and off duty, all to benefit this charitable organization, reflect great credit upon yourself and the South Windsor Police Department.