The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Like father, like son
‘Motivated’ recruit carries on family tradition of public service
EAST HAMPTON >> The town welcomed its newest police officer Tuesday during a ceremony highlighted by the new officer’s father presenting the badge to his son.
The presentation of the gleaming silver badge has an added significance because the officer’s father pinned him and by joining the police department, the son is carrying on the family tradition of public service.
The ceremony took place at the start of the Town Council’s regular meeting, which was held — as future council meetings will be held — in the middle school library.
Adding to the significance of the event, the badge is a new one designed by Sgt. Timothy Dowty to mark the town’s 250th anniversary of its founding.
The new officer is Tim DeRoehn, a 23-year-old native of Burlington. In introducing him to the council, Town Manager Michael Maniscalco said DeRoehn “performed the best out of a pool of 40 applicants who competed in the fast-paced and rigorous selection process.”
DeRoehn is a 2016 graduate of Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, where he majored in psychology with dual minors in criminal justice and social justice. He is Michael DeRoehn’s middle of three sons. The father is a 28-year Waterbury firefighter.
DeRoehn will begin the 22week course at the Municipal Police Academy in Meriden April 7, Police Chief Sean D. Cox said on Tuesday.
DeRoehn, who has six years’ experience as a lifeguard, enjoys lifting weights, swimming and hiking, Maniscalco said by way of introduction. He was hired to keep the department at full strength while Officer Hardie Burgin continues to recover from injuries he sustained when he was struck by vehicle while working a traffic detail on Sept. 4, 2016.
The oath of office was administered to DeRoehn by Assistant Town Clerk Bernice C. Bartlett as she, DeRoehn and his father Michael DeRoehn stood in front of the council.
Then, Michael DeRoehn stepped forwarded and placed the badge, which was mounted in a black leather case, in the breast pocket of the younger DeRoehn’s suit.
Then as father and son shook hands to celebrate the moment, the council and the audience at the meeting — which included three police officers — rose and saluted the DeRoehns with a standing ovation.
During a telephone conversation early Wednesday afternoon, Chef Cox said he was very favorably impressed by DeRoehn.
“He was obviously one of the top finalists,” Cox said, adding, “He’s very motivated.”
Cox said he was particularly drawn to DeRoehn’s minor in social justice, which he described as “a more progressive version of community policing. Any police department can benefit from building more trust rather than more barriers,” he said.
Even as they were welcoming Tim DeRoehn, Burgin was very much in the minds of Cox, Burgin’s fellow officers, the council and town officials. After he introduced Tim DeRoehn, Maniscalco said Burgin will “undergo his most painful surgery yet, later this week.”
The surgery involves removing a large piece of healthy bone, which will then be reshaped and used to replace a shattered bone, the manager said.
Anyone wishing to send a get well card or letter to Officer Burgin can send it to police department at 20 East High St., Maniscalco said.