Troop E Earns Medals For 'Exceptional' Work On 2 Firearms Calls

MONTVILLE, CT — The Connecticut State Police honors troopers who demonstrate exceptional service in the line of duty. The entirety of Montville Troop E was awarded the Unit Citation Medal at a ceremony Thursday.

Actually, it was awarded the medal, which recognizes exceptional collective efforts, twice.

"On Oct. 24, 2018, at 8:46 a.m., Troop E Troopers responded to a Lisbon residence for a report of an unknown male forcing entry at gunpoint. Troop E dispatch maintained phone contact with the victim who explained he and his infant son were alone in the residence when a man wearing a hooded sweatshirt fired a pistol at him and fled into the woods.

Trooper Dwyer was working a construction project nearby and immediately responded to the scene. He observed a vehicle traveling in close proximity to the residence; Trooper Sumner and Trooper Martin observed the vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. Due to the vehicle's erratic operation, and its proximity to the residence, Troopers Sumner and Martin, along with Trooper Chamrin, conducted a felony motor vehicle stop.

Sgt. Trotter and Troopers Adams and Starkey arrived to provide cover and assistance with taking the three suspects into custody within 10 minutes of the original call. This scene was supervised by M/Sgt. Peck and Sgt. Trotter. Simultaneously, Trooper McCarthy, Trooper Dwyer and Trooper Goulart arrived at the residence to secure the victim and scene. A short K-9 track was conducted to clear the wooded area; this scene was supervised by Sgt. Bohonowicz.

Just after 9:00 a.m., Trooper Bohem located a handgun in the travel portion of the road of the residence. The victim later described it as the one fired at him. Further checks revealed the weapon was listed as stolen by Middletown Police. Trooper Fitzgerald assisted Dispatcher Patel in the Troop E dispatch center, directing responding Troopers to both scenes while also taking additional, unrelated calls for service. All involved demonstrated alertness in a rapidly evolving situation with multiple crime scenes, resulting in the capture of three dangerous felons and the recovery of a stolen weapon."

The second Unit Citation Medal was shared with Troop D.

"Troop E and Troop D Troopers responded to a Jewett City residence for a report of an intoxicated male threatening to kill his family and himself with a shotgun. Troopers located the victim and three juveniles who were able to get out of the house as Troopers were arriving. The victim’s neighbor identified the accused and provided a cell phone number for him.

Troopers secured the perimeter of the residence and made contact with adjacent residences to shelter in place. The Jewett City Fire Department assisted in closing the street and all traffic was diverted around the incident. Troopers made contact via phone with the accused and negotiated the safe removal of the accused from the residence. The accused complied with commands to walk out the front door unarmed with his hands up. Once outside, he was taken into custody. A safety/victim sweep was conducted of the residence and a 12-gauge shotgun and a handgun were located."

Award winners received medals and certificates from Commissioner James C. Rovella and State Police Colonel Stavros Mellekas. Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz also attended and addressed the recipient.

Read all the stories behind the medals for bravery, honor, and meritorious service.

CSP Awards 2019 by Ellyn Santiago on Scribd