Awards And Decorations—

Town Police Honored For Public Service

By Andrew Gorosko

To honor the many town police officers whose performance in the field of law enforcement has been deemed exemplary, the Newtown Police Department has provided awards to the officers to publicly note their contributions to society.

The police department presented those honors at its 2012 Awards and Decorations Ceremony held at the town’s Multipurpose Center on Riverside Road on October 25.

The organization conducted the event to note the officers’ dedication and for the services that they performed which were above and beyond the call of duty.

First Selectman Pat Llodra, Police Commission Chairman Paul Mangiafico, and Police Chief Michael Kehoe spoke at the event.

Among the many honors that were presented to police was a new award, known as the Law Enforcement Excellence Award, which was issued for the first time.

Detective Jason Frank, 41, who joined the police department in 1996, is the first recipient of that award.

According to the award presented to Det Frank, from May 2010 to August 2012, Det Frank was a major participant in a number of high-profile investigations, including the arrest of a suspect in the murder of Elizabeth Heath.

Also, the detective was involved in the arrests of two child predators who are now under federal indictment, based in part on Det Frank’s investigatory work. Also, the detective participated in the arrest of three armed robbery suspects, plus the arrest and successful prosecution of a bank robbery suspect.

Additionally, Det Frank is dedicated to the goals of law enforcement, as illustrated by the advice and assistance that he provides on many police investigations, according to the citation.

Overall, 34 awards were presented to police officers and to civilians who aided police in their work.

Receiving the Education Award were: Officers Matthew Pirhala, Paula Wickman, and Joseph Michael.

The Anita M. Goosman Memorial Award for civilians who have aided police was presented to Mary Ann Jacob and  Jeffrey Wallin.

Officer Benjamin Mulhall received the Military Award.

Officers who received the award for providing five years of honorable and meritorious service to the town were: John McCluskey, Steven Borges, Scott Smith, Bart Lorancaitis, Adam Greco, Liam Seabrook, and Richard Monckton.

Awards noting ten years of honorable and meritorious service went to: Officers Michael McGowan, Thomas Bean,  and Jason Flynn and Sergeants Steven Santucci and David Kullgren.

Officer Gladys Pisani received an award for 15 years of honorable and meritorious service.

Sgt Kullgren also received the Police Chief’s Service Award.

Officer Scott Smith received two certificates of commendation. Also receiving certificates of commendation were: Officers Flynn, McGowan and Scott Ruszczyk, the police evening work shift of May 31, 2011, and the police midnight work shift of June 1, 2011.

Also, the police department issued Awards of Merit to Det Frank and Officers McCluskey, Bean, Felicia Figol, Maryhelen McCarthy, and Matthew Hayes.

Sgt Santucci was the chairman of the Awards and Decorations Committee.