Heroes: Easton Police Honor 5 Of Their Own, And A Civilian

EASTON, CT — The Easton Police Department honored five of its own, and a civilian, in a ceremony on Monday.

Dispatchers Tara Candee and Andrew Tisdale were issued a Chief’s Letter of Recognition for their actions and professionalism. On Nov. 24, 2020, both dispatchers were responsible for managing the Police, Fire and EMS staffing around a serious motor vehicle accident on Route 59 and Judd Road, as well as handling mutual aid requests from surrounding communities.

For "their life-saving attempts under exceedingly difficult conditions" during the same incident, Sgt. Arthur Belile and Officer Donald Kinahan were each issued a Unit Citation. There were three cars involved in the accident where motorists were trapped in two different vehicles. Belile and Kinahan removed one driver and performed emergency first aid in an attempt to save another's life.

The Easton PD honored a Newtown resident with a Civilian Award for his "selfless actions under dangerous conditions" during the aftermath of the accident. Willinger exited his vehicle and began life-saving measures for a person who had suffered serious injuries, and continued to assist the Easton police officers once they had arrived on the scene.

An Award of Merit was presented to Officer Anthony Telesco in recognition of his prompt action a month later, when he rescued a man and his dog from a partially frozen pond. On Dec. 18, the man had entered the pond in the area of Helen Keller Middle School to help his dog who was having trouble getting out of it, and then"became overwhelmed by the cold water" himself. Officer Telesco entered the water which rose to his chest, and rescued the man and his pooch, with the assistance of the Easton Fire Department.