Medal of Valor

The Medal of Valor shall be the highest award that may be bestowed upon any member of this agency. It shall be awarded only in exceptional instances involving extremely hazardous circumstances in which a member has actually risked his or her life in the performance of duty. The acts or acts performed shall be of an extraordinary nature, beyond the call of duty, which exposed the member's life to extreme danger, or resulted in the member's death.

Citation for Bravery

The Citation for Bravery shall be presented to a member of this agency who has performed an act of bravery which has been beyond the call of duty, where the member's physical safety has been perilously exposed to danger in order to save the life of another, or to perform an extraordinary and heroic police duty.

Awarded to:

Sr. Officer Robert Arsenault – May 2000

On September 2, 1999, while off duty, Officer Arsenault entered a burning house to check for occupants and then retrieved a frightened child from an adjoining house. Officer Arsenault's alertness, quick response and bravery assured the safety of neighbors in West Hartford. His actions resulted in recognition by the West Hartford Police and Fire Departments including their thanks for his assistance in their investigation of the fire.

Distinguished Service Citation

The Distinguished Service Citation shall be presented to a member of this agency who has rendered a service beyond the ordinary call of duty. It shall recognize those incidents where the member's diligence, perseverance, and timely judgment in the performance of a difficult task has resulted in the protection of life or property, the prevention of a major crime, the saving of a life or the apprehension of an armed and dangerous criminal.

Awarded to:

Sr. Officer John Fabale – May 2000

On August 18, 1999 Officer Fabale's alertness, perseverance and timely judgment resulted in the apprehension of two suspects wanted for several armed robberies in the City of Hartford.

Officer Anthony Lombardi – February 2003

On August 6,2002, Off. Anthony Lombardi responded to assist a Hartford Police Officer responding to an apartment fire. When the fire spread to an adjacent building, Off. Lombardi assisted in alerting and evacuating residents and checking to be sure no one was left in the building. Officer Lombardi is to be recognized for his diligence and timely judgment in the performance of a difficult task resulting in the protection of life and property.

Officer Walter Lee – March 2004

On July 22, 2003, Officer Walter Lee identified and pursued a suspect wanted for his involvement in a violent carjacking in Manchester, CT that took place on the previous day. While on bike patrol, Officer Lee recognized the suspect from a description. Despite a radio malfunction, through quick thinking, Officer Lee contacted his dispatcher by cell phone to report his foot pursuit and capture of the suspect. For his diligence and perseverance in preventing the escape of a violent suspect and preventing two attempted carjacking of other vehicles while trying to escape, Officer Lee is awarded the Distinguished Service Citation.

Officer Philip Caseria – March 2017

On February 5th 2017, Officer Caseria was on foot at the southeast corner of Capitol Avenue and Broad Street, when he observed a vehicle traveling at a slow rate of speed eastbound on Capitol Avenue. He observed that the operator of the vehicle appeared to be unconscious and slumped over at the wheel. Officer Caseria ran after the vehicle and attempted to wake the operator. The operator remained unconscious. Officer Caseria continued after the vehicle as it came to a stop on a curb. A rear window had to be broken to gain access. Officer Caseria administered first aid to the operator until medics arrived.

Officer Drew O'Connor – June 2018

On June 4th 2018, Officer Drew O'Connor was at the intersection of Capitol Avenue and Washington Street, when he was flagged down by a passing motorist. He was advised that someone was sleeping behind the wheel of a car in the northbound lane of Washington Street at Capitol Avenue. Officer O'Connor observed that the operator of the vehicle was unconscious behind the wheel and the car in was in drive. Officer O'Connor was not able to wake the operator and called for an ambulance. Sergeant Murphy arrived on scene. Officer O'Connor then used his lockout tool to gain entry to wake the operator. As entry was gained, Sergeant Murphy saw a large clear bag of Marijuana on the floor. As the operator exited the car he reached for his waistband. The operator was found to have a loaded 9 mm handgun in his waistband. The operator was taken into custody by Officer O'Connor and Sergeant Murphy for numerous drug and weapon charges.

Sergeant Timothy Murphy – June 2018

On June 4th 2018, Officer Drew O'Connor was at the intersection of Capitol Avenue and Washington Street, when he was flagged down by a passing motorist. He was advised that someone was sleeping behind the wheel of a car in the northbound lane of Washington Street at Capitol Avenue. Officer O'Connor observed that the operator of the vehicle was unconscious behind the wheel and the car in was in drive. Officer O’Connor was not able to wake the operator and called for an ambulance. Sergeant Murphy arrived on scene. Officer O'Connor then used his lockout tool to gain entry to wake the operator. As entry was gained, Sergeant Murphy saw a large clear bag of Marijuana on the floor. As the operator exited the car he reached for his waistband. The operator was found to have a loaded 9 mm handgun in his waistband. The operator was taken into custody by Officer O'Connor and Sergeant Murphy for numerous drug and weapon charges.