VERNON, CT — Detective Thomas Van Tasel recently signed off for the final time with the Vernon Police Department, marking the end of what law enforcement officials called "an outstanding career."
Van Tasel began his career with the Suffield Police Department, where he served for seven years before joining the Vernon Police Department in 2010.
Throughout his time with the VPD, he served in several roles, including patrol officer, community police officer, DEA task force officer, and detective.
"Tommy has been an invaluable asset to this department, bringing an incredible wealth of knowledge, experience, and dedication to every role he held. His contributions to the department and the community we serve have made a lasting impact," Vernon police said. "His presence will certainly be missed, and his shoes will be difficult to fill."
Notable awards are police officer of the year in 2019 and a meritorious service recognition in 2025.
Two cases from last year stood out.
Van Tasel and Det. Cody Flanigan received a complaint involving suspected possession and distribution of child pornography. The detectives identified a suspect after a complicated investigation and assisted federal authorities in obtaining a federal arrest warrant.
While he and Officer Sean Curley were investigating a criminal mischief complaint, Curley collected a blood sample from a broken window. Van Tasel subsequently received notification that the DNA profile obtained from the blood sample was linked to a homicide in Maine.
Perhaps the highest profile case Van Tasel played an instrumental role in solving was that of former Manchester firefighter Angelo Alleano, who lived in Vernon and in 2022 received a 25-year prison sentence after he entered guilty pleas to four counts of first-degree sexual assault.
The case dated back nearly two decades and involved a series of violent break-ins and sexual assaults in Vernon and Manchester.
Alleano is now on the Connecticut Sex Offender Registry for life, according to the sentencing.
Alleano was arrested in 2020 connection with an Aug. 6, 2001 sexual assault of an 84-year-old woman in Manchester, a Dec. 9, 2004 sexual assault of a 57-year-old woman in Manchester, a March 23, 2007 sexual assault of a 37-year-old Manchester woman and a Jan. 16, 2008 sexual assault of a 61-year-old woman in Vernon.
Van Tasel connected DNA to the cases, police said.
He was fired as a Manchester firefighter almost simultaneously with his arrest.
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