South Windsor Police Honor Officers at Annual Promotion and Awards Ceremony

SOUTH WINDSOR, CT — The South Windsor Police Department hosted its annual Promotion and Awards ceremony at Mill on the River on Wednesday.

Four recently promoted officers received their badges and were “pinned” by family members. Several other officers were recognized for their contributions to the agency in the past year.

Read more from South Windsor Police below:

Receiving their badges in the official ceremony were:

Lieutenant Kristian Lindstrom

Lieutenant Lindstrom is a 17-year veteran of the South Windsor Police Department and is currently assigned as the commander of the Special Services Division. He has served as a School Resource Officer, Use of Force Instructor and Administrative Aide. Lt. Lindstrom holds a bachelor’s degree from Stonehill College and is currently enrolled in the Southern Police Institute Command Officers Development Course.

Lieutenant Glenn Buonanducci
Lieutenant Buonanducci is a 16-year veteran of the South Windsor Police Department and is currently assigned as the commander of the Operations Division. He has served as the Traffic Unit manager, Metro Traffic Services manager, and serves on the regional Emergency Services Team as a Tactical Operator

Team Commander. Lt. Buonanducci holds a bachelor’s degree from Charter Oak State College.

Sergeant Brian Eckblom

Sergeant Eckblom is a 12-year veteran of the South Windsor Police Department and is currently assigned as the Evening Shift Watch Commander. He has served as a School Resource Officer at the South Windsor High School and served as a Field Training Officer and Traffic Accident Reconstructionist. He has served on the regional traffic unit, Metro Traffic Services. Sergeant Eckblom holds a Master’s degree from Central Connecticut State University.

Corporal Stephen Hoover
Corporal Hoover is an 8-year veteran of the South Windsor Police Department and is currently assigned to the Traffic Unit. Corporal Hoover serves as a tactical operator on the regional Emergency Services Team and is a Traffic Accident Reconstructionist. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology.

The following awards were given out:

Distinguished Unit Medal:
Corporal Ronald Littell, Dispatcher Steven Cordeiro, Officers Joseph Futtner, Kevin Geraci, Christopher Poehnert, Jared Richards & Jacob Truebig

In recognition of your perseverance and dedication to duty on September 27, 2015, when you and other members of your watch were called to an active residential burglary at 2:00 a.m. A resident of Chapel Road awoke to find a masked intruder in his home armed with a handgun. The citizen challenged the suspect verbally and the suspect fled. Members of the midnight shift quickly arrived on scene and were continually updated by dispatch. Officers established a perimeter and found a motorized scooter hidden nearby, which was then disabled to prevent the suspect’s escape. A canine team was called to the scene and a suspect was located. The man was interviewed and determined to be the involved person. The suspect’s discarded clothing; mask and loaded handgun were recovered later that morning. The suspect was later identified as having committed a similar armed burglary elsewhere in South Windsor two weeks earlier. He was arrested for that crime as well.

Your actions and perseverance during the initial call and extended search resulted in the arrest of a dangerous felon. Your actions are worthy of emulation and reflect distinct credit upon you, your colleagues and the South Windsor Police Department.

Certificate of Commendation:

Sergeant Brian Eckblom

In recognition of your dedication to duty in November 2015 when you were recognized by the Connecticut Association of Schools for your service as a School Resource Officer. Your dedicated service and many contributions have had a measurable impact on the school community. You were recognized for your service with the South Windsor High School Bereavement Team that is in place support students, parents, and staff after a traumatic event or death. The team has had a tremendous impact on the school community.
School administrators wrote:

“Each year schools have the opportunity to recognize programs and people that make their school unique and special. This year we are celebrating your work as a member of the Bereavement Team and for the time and energy to create the Memorial Garden. Thank you for making a difference in South Windsor, especially in our darkest moments.”

Your actions are worthy of emulation and reflect distinct credit upon you and the South Windsor Police Department.

Fitness Award:
Officer Tina Mazzoccoli

In recognition of your participation in 2015 National Law Enforcement Memorial Police Unity Bike Tour. During this 250-mile bicycle event you both honored fallen officers who made the ultimate sacrifice and raised money for the memorial. The conditioning necessary for you to complete this event demonstrates your desire for and understanding of the importance of physical wellness.

Chiefs Challenge Coin:
Corporal Ronald Littell
Officer Scott Madore

In recognition of your work on December 12, 2015 when you were sent to the home of an emotionally distraught 12-year old girl. You learned the young woman had recently moved to town and was having trouble adjusting to her new school. You determined that she was not a threat to herself and was in need of being included in our community. During the conversation you learned the young woman had an interest in music and singing. After clearing the call you and your partner discussed the situation and later contacted her family, requesting that she sing the National Anthem at the 2016 Penguin Plunge to benefit Connecticut Special Olympics. The young woman accepted your invitation and sang to the assembled crowd of participants at the Penguin Plunge on Saturday, March 19, 2016.

Thank you for taking that extra step to connect with this family and engage with our community. Your actions bring great credit upon yourself and the South Windsor Police Department.

South Windsor Town Proclamation by Mayor Thomas Delnicki:

Mayor Thomas Delnicki and the South Windsor Town Council offered the following proclamation for the tireless work Corporal Ron Littell does on behalf of Special Olympics Connecticut:

WHEREAS, Special Olympics Connecticut provides year-round sports training and competitions for over 14,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities. In addition to its traditional sports programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities, the Special Olympics Unified Sports program brings athletes with and without intellectual disabilities together to play sports, gain physical fitness and develop friendships; and

WHEREAS, Connecticut athletes also have opportunities to compete globally – at Special Olympics’ USA and World Games. Special Olympics are sports that transform lives by inspiring inclusion, understanding and respect for people of all abilities, both on the playing field and in communities throughout the state; and

WHEREAS, The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics is the movement’s largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle. During the Torch Run event, officers and athletes run the Flame of Hope to the Opening Ceremonies of local Special Olympics competitions. Annually, more than 85,000 dedicated and compassionate volunteer law enforcement officers participate in the Torch Run throughout 35 nations, 12 Canadian Provinces and 50 U.S. States, raising more than $52 million dollars for local Special Olympics programs in 2015 and over $500 million since its inception in 1981; and

WHEREAS, Since 2000, Corporal Littell has dedicated himself to fundraising efforts to benefit the athletes of Special Olympic Connecticut. He has 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; and

WHEREAS, in further support of the Torch Run, Corporal Littell has coordinated numerous fundraising events which include, the Penguin Plunge, Tip-A-Cop and Cop on Top. He created a highly successful fundraising event known as The Haunted Torch Walk. Through the years, these events have raised more than $250,000 to benefit Special Olympics Connecticut. For five yeas in a row, Corporal Littell has been recognized as the top fundraiser in the State of Connecticut for the Law Enforcement Torch Run. His continuing efforts and dedication through the years, both on and off duty, all to benefit this charitable organization, reflect great credit upon Corporal Littell and the South Windsor Police Department

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Friday, April 1, 2016 shall be Corporal Ron Littell Day in recognition of his tireless and extraordinary efforts in support of Special Olympics Connecticut and in particular the Law Enforcement Torch Run.

Mayor Thomas Delnicki

Deputy Mayor Mirek, Councilors Anwar, Carroll, Havens, Maneeley, Pendleton, Riley and SnyderContributed photo