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.
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.
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.
The Police Officer of the Year Award will be awarded annually by the Chief of Police to the officer who embodies a high moral character and demonstrates exemplary performance in all areas of police work. More importantly, he/she strives to help the community in which he/she serves, grows and flourishes. This officer gives more of him/herself than asked, and often makes sacrifices to benefit the greater good, without expectation of acknowledgement.
Awarded to:
Lieutenant Keith John Zengel - 2014
Sergeant Timothy Boyle - 2015
Officer First Class Michael Bermudez- 2016
Corporal John O'Reilly - 2017
Officer First Class Anthony Lombardi - 2018
Officer First Class Milton Hardy - 2019
The Chief’s Letter of Commendation shall be presented to a member of this agency who, in the opinion of the committee, has rendered a commendable police or community service.
Awarded to:
2000
Sergeant John Devine
Sr. Officer Robert Bates
Sr. Officer Richard Kowaleski
Sr. Officer Paul Warren
2001
Sergeant John Devine
Sr. Officer Robert Arsenault
Sr. Officer Pilar Marrero
Officer Anthony Lombardi
Officer Gregory Miller
2002
Sr. Officer Robert Arsenault
2003
Sr. Officer Robert Arsenault
Sr. Officer Kevin Long
Sergeant Paul Longo
Sr. Officer Robert Arsenault
Sr. Officer Robert Holmgren
Sr. Officer Paul Warren
2004
Sr. Officer Robert Arsenault
Sr. Officer Kevin Long
Sr. Officer Tim Kasek
Officer Walter Lee
2006
Lieutenant John Devine
Sergeant Walter Lee
Sergeant Paul Longo
Sr. Officer Mark Baldwin
Sr. Officer Robert Bates
Sr. Officer Robert Holmgren (2)
Sr. Officer Richard Segreto
Tracey Morin
2009
Officer J.B. O'Reilly
Officer Curtis Sinatro
Sergeant Robert Bates
2010
Corporal Timothy Boyle
2014
Chief Walter Lee
Officer First Class Michael Bermudez
2015
Sergeant Jeffrey Barter
2016
Chief Walter Lee
Sergeant Timothy Boyle
Sr. Officer Michael Bermudez
Officer Gino Giansanti
2017
Officer Milton Hardy
The Department Unit Citation shall be presented to a member of this agency who, in the opinion of their fellow Officers and the committee, has rendered a service or performed a task beyond their expected duties.
Awarded to:
Sergeant Glenn Kolat – 2006
Sr. Officer Robert Arsenault – 2006
Sr. Officer Mark Baldwin – 2006
Sr. Officer Robert Bates – 2006
Sr. Officer John Fabale – 2006
Sr. Officer Robert Holmgren – 2006
Sr. Officer Timothy Kasek – 2006
Sr. Officer Richard Kowaleski – 2006
Sr. Officer Kevin Long – 2006
Sr. Officer Pilar Marrero – 2006
Sr. Officer Richard Segreto – 2006
Officer Anthony Lombardi – 2006
Corporal Timothy Boyle – 2011
Officer Peter Lynch – 2011
Officer Stanley Masternak – 2014
Sergeant Timothy Boyle – 2015
Sergeant Paul Longo – 2015
Corporal Jamie Axson – 2015
Officer Milton Hardy – 2015
Officer Stanley Masternak – 2015
Officer Ryan Wilson – 2015
Officer John Nigro – 2015
Corporal Erica O'Connor – 2017
Officer First Class Anthony Lombardi – 2018
The Pistol Marksman Award will be awarded annually by the Chief of Police to the officer having the highest accumulated qualification scores over four quarters of firearms training.
Awarded to:
2019
Officer First Class James Parker
2018
Officer Gregory Wimble
The Departmental Letter of Appreciation shall be presented to a citizen or organization whose cooperation has materially aided the Department in the prevention of a crime, apprehension of criminals or who has unselfishly rendered an invaluable service to the Department.
Awarded to:
Barbara Clifford of ITS – 1999
Sophie King – 2002
Sophie King – 2003
Carole Stambo – 2006
Theresa Kelly – 2006
Mohegan Sun – 2006
John Cyr – 2014
Michael Walbridge – 2014
John Cyr – 2015
Michael Walbridge – 2015
Anthony Edelman – 2015
Peter Hutt – 2015
Kevin Breault – 2015
Robin Grant – 2015
Donna Galvin – 2015
Becky Fede – 2015