‘Mentor and friend’
Retiring veteran Greenwich police sergeant leaves legacy
GREENWICH — One of the most familiar faces in the Greenwich Police Department is calling it a career, but his commitment to the community will continue.
For Sgt. Michael O’Connor, who has been on the force for more than three decades, retirement became official on Monday. However, he was recently sworn in as a special police officer, continuing his service to his hometown.
O’Connor began his career in public service as a volunteer firefighter in town in 1976. He became a police dispatcher in 1984 but quickly wanted to do more. That same year, he was sworn in as a member of the GPD, where he served for the next 36 years.
“Sgt. O’Connor’s career and service to
the town of Greenwich exemplifies the core values of the Greenwich Police Department,” Public Information Officer Capt. Mark Zuccerella said. “As a sergeant, his experience and demeanor have helped newer officers learn the profession in an environment where officers were not afraid to seek help or ask
questions. He was a mentor and friend to many.”
A lifelong town resident, O’Connor worked for seven years as an accident car officer, investigating collisions, accidents and other incidents. That position is now called a master police officer, and he rose up the ranks from there.
O’Connor served as a patrol supervisor, shift commander and commander of the department’s Marine Section and was award
ed and commended numerous times for his work. He was honored in 2016 by the Bridgeport Diocese as part of its annual Diocesan Blue Mass, which has honored members of law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He was also recognized as the department’s officer of the month in December 2012 for his work to help residents during Superstorm Sandy.
And he leaves a family legacy at the Greenwich Police Department: O’Connor’s three sons, Michael Jr., Patrick and William, are all members. When Patrick O’Connor was sworn in as a GPD officer in 2016, Chief of Police James Heavey said, “O’Connors have been in this department for a long time,” which is “a great thing.”
Up on his retirement, O’Connor leaves a “great legacy” in his three sons and
in his work with other officers, Heavey said.
“Future sergeants will have big shoes to fill, but Sgt. O’Connor helped develop many officers coming up through the ranks,” Heavey said.
In 2019, father and all three sons worked the same shift together, carrying out patrol duties in Old Greenwich. At the time, with his retirement already on the horizon, O’Connor said that working a shift with his sons “was a great way to finish my career.”
Last month, First Selectman Fred Camillo swore in O’Connor as a special police officer. He will be called upon to work future assignments, including parades, fireworks and other community events.
“Good luck in your retirement Mike,” the GPD said in a Facebook post. “We will see you around.”