When Scott Ruszczyk began his career in law enforcement, local police officers called in to the station from pay phones, there were no computers in cruisers, and Lexington Gardens was still a celebrated regional plant and garden center.

Those were among the points Police Chief David Kullgren made during brief comments to open a celebration of Ruszczyk on the occasion of his 30th anniversary with Newtown Police Department.

The Newtown PD Sergeant was celebrated during roll call Monday morning. He was joined by fellow officers and PD staff, current and former Police Commission members, and First Selectman Dan Rosenthal for remarks ahead of refreshments.

Ruszczyk has served as a patrol officer, vice president and then president of the Newtown Police Union, Statewide Narcotics Task Force member, shift supervisor, and administrative sergeant.

On June 12 he was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation before offering brief comments. Fellow officers also took the opportunity to honor their friend with compliments, anecdotes, and even some ribbing.

Chief Kullgren opened by offering a history of what Newtown did not have when Ruszczyk began his career.

“We didn’t have cell phones,” he said in addition to the earlier notes. “A lot has improved in town, including the service Sgt Ruszczyk gives to the community.

“He’s grown through the ranks. We offer our gratitude for his professionalism and dedication to the department and the community,” the chief added.

Lt Rich Robinson said Ruszczyk began leading the police union during a tumultuous time of the department’s history.

“Right now we have the support of the Town government completely behind us and the mission that we built, and that was not always the case, and this gentleman was the brunt of the hammer, very often,” Robinson said. “Personally, I know he got called into the office on my account on a number of occasions.”

Beyond that, Robinson said, Ruszczyk took on a position after 12/14 “that no one else here, that I know of, did,” in joining the HEART 9/11 program, and then creating the SMART program.

The former — Healing Emergency Aid Response Team 9/11 — was created by New York City first responders in the aftermath of 9/11, with a mission to respond to natural and man-made disasters to rebuild communities and build resiliency for individuals, families, and communities.

The latter — Stress Management And Resiliency Training — is for first responders, delivered by fellow first responders who have learned to manage stress and/or other stress-related symptoms.

The SMART program, Robinson said Monday morning, “is now the model throughout a good part of the Northeast and spreading, now into Texas, and northern New Jersey. This,” he said, indicating the man of honor, “is one of the founders of that program.”

‘Super Invested’ In Newtown

Robinson said he wanted to take a moment to make sure everyone in the room was aware of the work Ruszczyk has done over the past 30 years. Dan Rosenthal began working with Ruszczyk in 2015, he told those gathered for the festivities Monday.

“Scott was still the head of the police union when I got elected to the police commission” that year, the first selectman said. “I’ve enjoyed working with him, and I know he’s super invested in our community.

“Certainly I’m grateful, and I know our community is too,” Rosenthal added.

Chris Vanghele, a former Newtown PD captain who is now the chief of Plainville PD, returned to 191 South Main Street on Monday to join the celebration of his friend.

Ruszczyk and Vanghele were both hired by Newtown on June 11, 1993. They then attended the state’s police academy for municipal law enforcement.

Vanghele recalled doing a lot of studying at the academy, and seeing Ruszczyk “doing a lot of reading, and I remember thinking, ‘This guy’s not going to make it,’” he said, drawing loud laughter from the room.

Their first rotations together were on midnights, Vanghele said Monday.

“Some days it was just him and I, zero experience,” and they faced interesting challenges together, he said.

“We were definitely rookies,” Vanghele said.

While serving as a patrolman, Ruszczyk received an award for bravery, the Police Chief’s Service Award, and multiple certificates of commendation.

He was promoted to sergeant in December 2014, with the position taking effect in May 2015.

On Monday, Ruszczyk said he can still remember getting the call that told him he’d been hired in Newtown.

“I remember them saying, ‘OK, you’re hired kid,’ and jumping around my parents’ TV room with excitement,” he said. “Thirty years later, I’m still excited to come to work and I think that’s an important perspective to take on our careers.

“The moment it stops being fun, the moment you stop being invested in the community or [caring] about people, retire. Do something else,” he said. “There’s no need for people who aren’t invested in the community to come.

“It’s more than just a paycheck,” he continued. “If we’re doing this for the money, for the glitz and the glamour, this is probably not the right place for you. Doing it for the community is why you want to be here.”

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Managing Editor Shannon Hicks can be reached at shannon@thebee.com.