Police Receive Medals For Service In Stafford, Willington

STAFFORD-WILLINGTON, CT — Two area law enforcement officers were among the honorees at an award ceremony Wednesday at the State Police Training Academy in Meriden. The Connecticut State Police honors troopers who demonstrate exceptional service in the line of duty, as well as men and women serving in local and federal law enforcement agencies, those serving as first responders, and civilians.

Stafford Police Sgt. James Kodzis

Kodzis was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. On Jan. 18, 2019, while finishing his shift, he volunteered to assist another town officer with a call of a suicidal woman actively cutting herself.

Kodzis was first to arrive at the woman’s apartment and quietly approached the bathroom area without being detected by her. He saw she was seated with her back to him, cutting herself with a large knife. There were other knives next to her, and fearing that verbally confronting her might intensify her efforts or cause an escalation of the incident, Kodzis quickly performed a tackle maneuver while focusing on the hand holding the knife, causing her to lose her grip on it.

As the woman struggled and resisted, Kodzis pulled her to a safe location away from the other edged weapons. He then assisted Stafford EMS personnel in applying a dressing to her wounds before she was transported to a local hospital.

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.

Trooper Toby Rutkowski

Rutkowski received the Lifesaving Medal. On May 3, 2019, at 7:19 p.m., Rutkowski responded to Route 32 in Willington for a motorcycle accident with injuries. Rutkowski arrived to find a woman lying near the guardrail suffering from serious injuries, including a poor airway and a catastrophic leg injury which was bleeding heavily.

Rutkowski and Willington firefighters applied a tourniquet to the victim's leg, then Rutkowski retrieved a second tourniquet for the woman’s severely injured left arm. The woman was still conscious and breathing as Rutkowski and the EMTs rendered aid. All responders moved the woman to a stretcher for transport to a local hospital.

The Lifesaving Award is presented to those who save a human life or make a valiant attempt to save a life.