Vernon Police Department Recognizes Outstanding Persons

VERNON, CT - Several Vernon police officers, dispatchers and civilians were honored Wednesday at the Vernon Police Department's annual awards ceremony at Town Hall.

Promotion:
Officer Richard Tedford, a 14 year veteran of the police department, was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He is a DUI instructor as well as a firearms instructor. He has been recognized over his career with the MADD award, the lifesaving award and the Distinguished Service Unit citation.

The following awards were presented:

Outstanding Citizen Award: Mr. John Schnetzer and Mrs. Kathleen Schnetzer
On August 3, 2015, John and Kathleen saw a man in a canoe on Bolton Lake who appeared to be in distress. They confirmed that the man was experiencing a medical emergency and he was unable to get to shore. Knowing that another person was in trouble and needed help, John and Kathleen went into the water and brought the male to shore. The man’s condition continued to deteriorate and they called for emergency personnel. The male was treated on scene and eventually transported to the hospital for further treatment. John’s and Kathleen’s quick and selfless actions brought need medical treatment to a person in distress. Because of their intervention the man was able to make a full recovery.

Letter of Appreciation: Keyla Martinez
On December 5, 2015 a Stuff-a-Cruiser charity fundraiser was held at the American Eagle Federal Credit Union in Vernon. Keyla contacted our Community Policing Officer, Officer Grechko, with the idea of hosting a Stuff-a-Cruiser charity event. Keyla and American Eagle Federal Credit Union provided the location and the advertisement for the event as Keyla took charge in organizing the event. Several Officers assisted on the day of the event and it turned out to be a great success. Due to Keyla’s ambition over $1,000.00 worth of toys and over $900.00 in cash were collected that day. The funds and toys raised at the Stuff a Cruiser event were donated to the Vernon Fire Department Holiday toy drive. Keyla and The American Eagle Federal Credit Union are to be commended for Their thoughtfulness and community spirit.

Outstanding Citizen Award: Mike Richards
On June 2, 2015 Mike Richards was given a wallet that was found in the parking lot of his property at 151 Talcottville Road in Vernon. Mike promptly took this wallet containing $540 in cash to the Vernon Police Department and turned it in. The grateful owner of the wallet was located and it was returned in a timely manner. It is not every day that we see people with Mike’s level of integrity and compassion.

Chief's Citation: Lisa Moody, Tara Trapp, Marrisa Roy, Tim Poloski, Gail Phillips-Bosshart, Patty Noblet, and Thomasina Clemons
To celebrate and honor the 125th anniversary of the Vernon/Rockville Police Departments a committee was formed in the summer of 2015 to raise money for the purchase of a second police K-9. Lisa Moody, Tara Trapp, Marrisa Roy, Tim Poloski, Gail Phillips-Bosshart, Patty Noblet, and Thomasina Clemons were key members of that committee. The donations began arriving in August 2015. The goal was to raise $20,000.00. By the time the fundraiser was concluded in November 2015, over $26,000 was raised. This outstanding effort has allowed the police department to purchase our new K-9. Officer Jeffrey Condon and his K-9 partner Tengo began their training together on March 21, 2016. This money will also allow us to purchase bullet resistant vests for both of our dogs, as well as other needed training equipment. The fundraiser raised morale of the officers and forged stronger ties with the community we serve. Their actions are a credit to them and the Town of Vernon. Their generosity is greatly appreciated

Chief's Citation: Ken Kaplan
Ken is a local entrepreneur who is currently rebuilding an old Mill on West Main Street in Town. He has converted a portion of the old Mill into the New England Motorcycle Museum and Kaplan Cycles with more planned for the old mill. Last Summer Ken organized a block party on West Main Street and at that time he passionately spoke about organizing a volunteer cleanup crew. Ken followed up his statement and organized the Rockville Volunteer Services Team which is comprised of citizens, youths, Town Administration, and members of the Police and Fire Departments. This team meets every Wednesday night and heads out into Rockville for 3 hours. Ken has invested his time and resources to organize the Rockville Volunteer Services Team. Ken and the Volunteer Team have work to revitalize neglected properties in Rockville by painting buildings, adding landscaping and removing graffiti among other things. To date I estimated that the Team has invested over 2000 man hours in making Rockville a better place. Due to Ken’s drive, generosity and efforts in organizing this Team, Rockville is a better place and for this he is to be commended.

Chief's Citation: Officer Gregory St. Pierre and Officer Joshua Wells
Impaired drivers pose a serious threat to the safety and well-being of the motoring public and local residents. Each year approximately 10,000 people are killed nationally in alcohol related crashes. During the 2015 year, Officer St Pierre and Officer Wells led the Vernon Police Department in arrests for driving while under the influence. Their combined efforts accounted for approximately 20% of the department’s total arrests for driving while under the influence for 2015. Officers St. Pierre and Wells commitment and dedication to the safety of others through their enforcement efforts is a credit to the law enforcement profession.

Chief's Citation: Detective Charles Hicking:
On April 25, 2015 the Vernon Police Department held its Policeman’s Ball. This was the first time since 1973 that the Vernon Police Department held a Policeman’s Ball. Detective Hicking came up with the idea for the Ball to coincide with the Vernon Police Department’s 125th anniversary. Det Hicking spearheaded the idea and over a nine month period organized the Ball. He arranged the venue, tickets, photographer, and programing among many other responsibilities. Det Hicking communicated with town administration, Department administration, retirees, and sponsors. During this he also was involved in the development of a challenge coin and a historical book. Over 150 people attended the Ball and it was a great morale boosting event. Because of Det Hicking’s hard work and dedication to this project The Vernon Police Department was able to revitalize its Policeman’s Ball.

Chief's Citation: Lieutenant (Ret) Brian Smith
Lt Smith has been a lifelong resident of Vernon and Rockville. His career with the Vernon Police Department started on November 5, 1979. He retired as a Lieutenant from the police force on July 10, 2010 to take over as the Records Supervisor, which is a position he still hold today. Lt Smith has had a career with this Department for over 35 years and has held several positions during that time. One of the unofficial titles is that of Department Historian. The Department recognizes and appreciates the hard work and dedication he has maintained as the historian of the Vernon Police Department. Through Lt Smith’s time with the department he has taken it upon himself to maintain as much information about the Vernon Police Department as possible. Lt Smith continues to speak at the Historical Society and the Vernon Citizens Academy about the history of our Department. Lt Smith most recently researched and wrote a large portion of the Vernon Police Department’s Historical Book. Because of his efforts most of the history of this Department will forever be documented and for this the Vernon Police Department is grateful.

Outstanding Citizen Award: Christine Shade
Letter of Commendation: Dispatcher Christopher Hammick & Dispatcher Sean O’Sullivan
On June 26, 2015 the People’s bank located at 50 Windsorville Road in Vernon was robbed by an armed assailant. Christine Shade was inside the store that day and observed the suspect as he was leaving. Christine thought that the suspect’s appearance didn’t fit. Not knowing that this person just robbed a bank but finding it odd she followed the suspect outside. Christine witnessed the suspect change clothes and get into a waiting vehicle. Christine was able to observe the license plate of the vehicle and provided it to police as they arrived.
Also on this day Dispatchers Hammick and O’Sullivan were working inside the dispatch center of the Vernon Police Department. As an overwhelming number of calls rolled in and the ensuing chaos of the bank robbery developed, Dispatchers Hammick and O’Sullivan remained calm and professional. Based on the information provided by Christine a suspect was quickly developed. Officers responded to the home of the suspect. While speaking with the suspect the suspect fled on foot and led Officers on a foot pursuit through downtown Rockville. While all this was going on Dispatchers Hammick and O’Sullivan continued to remain calm and professional while receiving and relaying information to Officers. Dispatchers Hammick and O’Sullivan played a key role in the coordinated effort that resulted in the capture of a dangerous armed suspect. For their parts; Christine Shade, Dispatcher Hammick and Dispatcher O’Sullivan went above and beyond the call that day and for this they are to be commended.

Letter of Commendation: Officer Steven Langlais
On Friday October 16, 2015 Ofc Langlais was working as the School Resource Officer at Rockville High School. He responded to a classroom where an emotionally charged student was holding a knife and threatening to harm himself. Ofc Langlais quickly realized the severity of the situation, took charge, and safely evacuated the other students from the classroom. Ofc Langlais negotiated with the student in a calm and compassionate way for nearly an hour. Eventually Ofc Langlais was able to convince the student to put the knife down and comply with his requests. Ofc Langlais’ patience and professionalism prevented a bad situation from becoming worse. Ofc Langlais’ timely actions that day made a difference in many student lives and he is a credit to the Vernon Police Department.

Life Saving Award: Officer Danny Macaulay
On October 15, 2015 Officer Macaulay responded to the scene of a medical and found a female patient unresponsive and bleeding profusely. Officer Macaulay observed that if the bleeding did not stop the patient would surely die. Officer Macaulay quickly attempted to place a tourniquet on the victim along with “Quick Clot.” Within moments, the victim regained consciousness and eventually recovered from her injury. Officer Macaulay’s professionalism and decisive actions were paramount in her survival. Officer Macaulay is a true credit to the Vernon Police Department.

Life Saving Award: Sgt Richard Tedford, Officer William Meehan and retired Officer Katherine Rooney
On March 19, 2015 a dispatch went out for a person who was unresponsive and not breathing. Officer Rooney responded to the scene, arriving within one minute, and quickly determined the patient was not breathing and did not have a pulse. Officer Rooney began CPR with Sgt Tedford and Officer Meehan who arrived shortly after she did. All three officers performed several rounds of CPR until Vernon EMS and Paramedics arrived. While treating the patient, he began breathing on his own and before long, was even talking to the first responders and his family. All three officers showed tremendous dedication to duty with their quick actions, impeccable timing, and professionalism

Life Saving Award: Lt. Gary Jonas
On March 3, 2015 Lt Jonas and several other officers responded to the scene of a stabbing and found that the victim had been stabbed multiple times. Lt Jonas quickly accessed that the bleeding was life threatening and started to treat the victim. Lt. Jonas applied Quick Clot and direct pressure to the multiple stab wounds in an attempt to stop the excessive bleeding. The victim was transported to Rockville Hospital while Lt Jonas continued to control the bleeding on the way to the hospital. Lt Jonas remained with the victim during his treatment at Rockville Hospital maintaining pressure to the wounds even after the victim had been intubated by medical personnel. Eventually the victim was flown to Hartford Hospital where he made a full recovery. Due to Lt Jonas’ professionalism and timely intervention he was able to save a life that would have been lost had it not been for his actions.

Life Saving Award: Officer Danny Macaulay and retired Officer Katherine Rooney
On January 24, 2015 Officers Macaulay and Rooney responded to a report of a man who had passed out. Upon arrival they found the male patient was unresponsive, not breathing and had no pulse. Officers Macaulay began CPR and Officer Rooney set up the AED. The AED analyzed the patient and advised for a shock. After the shock they continued CPR and Vernon EMS arrived. While the Officers continued CPR the male patient began to breathe on his own and eventually had a pulse. The male patient was subsequently transported to the hospital for treatment where he made a full recovery. Officer Macaulay’s and Officer Rooney’s quick thinking and timely actions saved a life that day.

Outstanding Citizen Award: Kelly Jackson
Life Saving Award: Officer Kerry Reynolds, Officer Joshua Wells, Officer Brandon Zawadski
In the early morning of December 22, 2015 Kelly Jackson discovered that her father, Edgar Jackson, was not breathing and most likely dying. Kelly quickly called for emergency personnel and started CPR. Vernon Police Officers responded along with Vernon EMS. Upon the arrival of the police they found Kelly performing CPR on her father. Officers Reynolds, Wells and Zawadski took over CPR and attached an AED. After shocking Edgar with the AED no pulse was found and CPR continued. Vernon EMS arrived and lifesaving procedures continued. Edgar was shocked several more times with the AED and CPR continued. Eventually a weak pulse was felt and Edgar was transported to the hospital for treatment. Edgar Jackson later made a full recovery. Because of the quick thinking of all those involved that day a life was saved.

Officer of the Year: Officer Steven Langlais
The Officer of the Year award is presented to the department member who has throughout the year consistently shown exceptional dedication to duty, superior performance, motivation, and a positive attitude in the service of the department and the community.
Officer Steven Langlais has been a Police Officer with the Vernon Police Department since January 2000. During his time with the Vernon Police Department, along with his regular duties as a patrol officer, Officer Langlais has served as an undercover narcotics officer, a Field Training Officer, a member of the Honor Guard, The department’s coordinator for the law enforcement Special Olympics torch run, the Department’s Juvenile Review Board Coordinator and he is currently the School Resource Officer at Rockville High School. Officer Langlais has coordinated after school and summer divergence programs and has lectured at conferences. Officer Langlais is a United States Army Veteran of War and served our country overseas while with the Connecticut National Guard in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During 2015 Officer Langlais is finishing up his 4 year assignment at Rockville High School. During his time there he has made connections with the students and has seen a drop in Juvenile arrest. As the School Resource Officer, Officer Langlais has to be a police officer as well as a teacher, mentor, councilor, and friend. Officer Langlais is highly respected amongst his peers and is a role model to other officers. During his career Officer Langlais has consistently displayed exceptional dedication to duty, superior performance, motivation, and a positive attitude while serving the Vernon Police Department and the community. Officer Langlais’ professionalism is a standard to be admired and achieved. Because of his hard work, dedication and positive attitude, Officer Steven Langlais is the 2015 Officer of the Year.