Police & Citizen Awards
The West Hartford Police Department has a long standing tradition of exemplary performance demonstrated by police officers and civilian personnel in the course of their duties. The Police Department also recognizes citizens that have acted unselfishly by assisting the police department or fellow citizens in some way. Each year, these dedicated professionals and civilians are recognized for their integrity and civic duty at an awards ceremony in May.
The West Hartford Police Department will be holding their annual award ceremony this Friday, May 18, 2012 at 8:00am in the Town Council Chambers. Below is a list of the recipients with a short description of each award.
Departmental Citation:
Officer Matthew Bonzagni. On September 11, 2011, Officer Bonzagni was off duty and apprehended a person who had just burglarized an apartment in Middletown. He physically detained the suspect until Middletown Police could arrive.
Police Merit Awards:
Officer Ryan Riley. November 23, 2011, Officer Riley saw a suspicious person at the gas station at Farmington Ave/ Prospect Ave. Further investigation led to the arrest of a well known burglar who was in possession of stolen property from an unreported car burglary. Further investigation by the Detective Division led to the clearance of multiple burglaries. (11000055774)
Officer Jeffrey Swank. June 26, 2011, Officer Swank was off duty driving home when he observed a vehicle operating erratically. The car stopped and Officer Swank was able to detain the driver for marked units to arrive. Ultimately the driver was arrested for DUI, drug and weapons charges. Property recovered from the car implicated the driver in car burglaries in Glastonbury. (1100028645)
Life Saving Awards:
Officer Jeremy Allen
Officer Andrew Teeter
July 2, 2011, Officer Allen and Officer Teeter responded to a medical call involving a person with no pulse and not breathing. Officers were able to revive the victim using CPR. (1100029800)
Officer Frederick Malona
On July 7, 2011, Officer Malona responded to a report of a party choking. Officer Malona was able to clear the obstruction and the party was able to resume breathing. ( 1100030533)
Unit Citations:
Detective Steve Ciarleglio
Detective Dawn Lascari
Detective Brian Hill
Lieutenant Frank Fallon
November 23, 2011, Officer Riley saw a suspicious person at the gas station at Farmington Ave /Prospect Ave. Further investigation led to the arrest of a well known burglar who was in possession of stolen property from an unreported car burglary. Further investigation by the Detective Division led to the clearance of multiple burglaries. ( 110055774)
ERC Sharon Williams ERC Carol Thibedeau ERC Laura Cashman
ERC Michele Kowalczyk ERC Susan MacDonald ERC Elizabeth Beyus
ERC Jesse Kristoff ERC Michael Nolan ERC Theodore Hansen
ERC Todd Hungerford ERC Eric Reese ERC Melissa Cox
On August 27, 2011 the region was hit with a hurricane which caused significant destruction. This was followed by an early winter storm on October 29, 2011 which created even more destruction and plunged the town into darkness for over a week. Throughout both events the dispatchers in the Emergency Operations Center handled thousands of calls and worked tirelessly for the residents of the Town of West Hartford. The Unit is being recognized for their good work during these events.
Sergeant Kevin McCarthy Officer Brett Balisciano Officer Scott Segar
Officer Dominic Creaco Officer Kevin Harrison Lieutenant Tracey Gove
Detective William Kinahan Detective Thomas Ganley Detective Michael Camilleri
On April 26, 2011 Officer Kevin Harrison and Officer Dominic Creaco stopped a car for a motor vehicle violation and developed information to arrest the driver for possessing 7 bags of heroin. They, other members of CIT, and members of the Special Investigations Division, along with Officer Balisciano, were able to develop information on a major drug dealer in West Hartford, secure a search warrant and arrest the drug dealer. The search of his residence yielded 200 bags of heroin and a stolen handgun. ( 1100018836)
Sergeant Kevin McCarthy Officer James Mahoney Officer Dominic Creaco
Officer David Michael Officer Kevin Harrison Detective Andrew Wamester
On November 23, 2011 an armed robbery occurred of two people walking home from a local restaurant in the area of Maplewood Ave. The people were robbed a gunpoint. After a lengthy investigation by the Community Interaction Team, with the assistance of Detective Andrew Wamester, several search warrants were obtained. On February 29, 2012, the members of the unit were able to arrest two suspects in this case.
(1100055811)
Captain Joseph LaSata Captain Donald Melanson Lieutenant Frank Fallon
Lieutenant Andrew Schiffer Sergeant Michael Alquist Sergeant Chris Chappell
Sergeant Samuel Ferrucci Sergeant Kevin McCarthy Detective Brian Hill
Detective Dawn Lascari Detective Dane Semper Detective Robert Magao
Detective Peter Juda Detective Gary Ciarleglio Detective Anthony Anderle
Detective Steven Ciarleglio Detective Gino Giansanti Officer Jeremy Allen
Officer Daniel Bedford Officer John Begin Officer Matthew Bonzagani
Officer David Cavedon Officer Leigh Cogle Officer Michael Coyne
Officer Dominic Creaco Officer Shawn DiBella Officer Jeremiah Gagnon
Officer Brian Gallagher Officer Paul Gionfriddo Officer Kevin Harrison
Officer Edward Jacovino Officer James Mahoney Officer David Michael
Officer Phillip Mugford Officer William Norton Officer Robert Riccobon
Officer Ryan Riley Officer Nicholas Roman Officer Scott Segar
Officer Stacy Thomas Officer Christopher Tyler Officer Dante Ursini
Officer Aaron Vafiades PSD Jesse Kristoff PSD Elizabeth Beyus
PSD Michael Nolan
On November 3, 2011, West Hartford Police Department received a report of a stabbing in town on Westphal Street. Sadly, the victim did not survive the assault. This attack occurred while the town was struggling with the aftermath of a freak winter storm and the town was largely without power. Many of the above members of the department had already worked multiple shifts dealing with the weather emergency and then worked tirelessly on this case. Within 2 hours the suspect was located hiding in a garage and taken into custody. (1100052841)
Distinguished Service Medal: No Award
Employee Service Award: No Award
West Hartford Citizens Awards:
Louis Mira: On February 8, 2012, Mr. Mira observed smoke coming from a home on Brunswick Avenue. He notified the occupants of the home and assisted in evacuating them. He also notified 911. (1200006014)
Heather Dean
Donald Dean: July 1, 2011, Heather Dean observed two men breaking into a home on Prospect Avenue. She called 911 and gave crucial information while Officers responded. She and her father were able to identify the suspects for field identification. ( 1100029580)
Marshall Kearns: July 9, 2011, a bicyclist fell at the reservoir and severely cut herself. Marshall Kearns was riding his bike in the reservoir and came upon the scene. He rode his bike 2.5 miles to the parking lot and then guided the Officers back to the scene of the fall. ( 1100030958)
Juan Gerena
Alex Lopez
Saul Cabrera
Saunnie Pilcher: June 10, 2011, a purse snatching occurred on Farmington Avenue. The purse snatcher was apprehended by employees working at SHISH Lounge. ( 1100025863)
Years of Service Awards:
30 Years:
John Silano
William Kinahan
25 Years of Service:
Patricia Noonan
20 Years of Service:
Stephen Estes
Joseph LaSata
David Dubiel
West Hartford Revolver Club presented its “Eppie-LaBrie Award” award to: No Award
Click here for Award Definitions
Friends or family members who were unable to attend may watch it by following this link: http://www.whctv.org/ and clicking the “video on demand” link.
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