The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Police honor officers, community members
Annual awards ceremony held at town hall
WINSTED — Whitegloved fist bumps were shared among police officers decked out in their dress blues at the third annual Winsted Police Department Awards Ceremony, held this week at Town Hall.
During a packed ceremony, the coveted Officer of the Year award was the last to be presented, giving the proceedings a sense of anticipation.
While other recipients’ names were listed in the program, the top award was kept secret with a “to be announced” message printed under the category.
The announcement was met with cheers and applause when Police Chief William T. Fitzgerald Jr. revealed that the award would be given to Officer First Class Daniel Pietrafesa, an 11-year veteran of the department.
“His passion for community policing (stands out),” said Fitzgerald. “He is a DARE officer and the children love to see him.”
Pietrafesa was also recognized with a Meritorious Service Award and the Benevolent Award.
“I’m very honored. I try to do a good job here and do right by the community,” Pietrafesa said Friday. Being the DARE officer for sixth grade students is one the of his favorite assignments, he said. Pietrafesa works with sixth-grade students at Isabelle M. Pearson Middle School and St. Anthony School.
After the ceremony, Pietrafesa beamed as he held his two young daughters, 22 months and 8 months old, respectively, while his wife, Erica, smiled proudly.
For Sgt. Christoper Roy, the night offered a trifecta win. He received the Medal of Valor, Life Saving Award and Chief’s Award. He passed the medals and certificates to his son to hold as the ceremony continued.
Praise for the Police Department came from a number of elected officials.
Town Manager Robert Geiger said, “You make my job easier because you excel at a job which is extremely difficult.”
Board of Selectmen members Todd Arcelaschi and Melissa Bird, who are the Police Department liaisons, both complemented the officers.
“When I was a child, I was taught if I was lost or scared, to look for someone in a uniform,” said Bird. She said it was fitting that the awards ceremony was held the same week as 9/11 remembrances.
State Rep. Jay Case, R-Winsted, also commented on the recent 9/11 memorial services. “We recognize that you are our first responders,” he said
Fitzgerald said that when he became chief three years ago, he decided to set up the annual ceremony. “The officers said ‘thank you’ we were never recognized before.”
The annual recipients, he said, are selected by community members who serve on the Awards Committee.
“If this ceremony didn’t exist, the police would still know what you’ve done. You don’t expect recognition,” said Mayor Candy Perez.
Just before the last award of the evening was announced, Geiger summed up the mood of the crowd: “Is this not an awesome town?” he asked.
The following are the awards and their recipients: Medal of Valor, Life Saving Award and Chief’s Award, Sgt. Christopher Roy; Life Saving Award, Sgt. Kim Boyne and Officer Gregory Lopardo; Meritorious Service Award, Sgt. Peter DeLouis, Officers Daniel Pietrafesa, Jessica Luzefski, Michael Gagne and Dispatcher Jason Kruczek; Chief’s Award, Officer Nicholas Ryan and Dispatcher Emily Benson; Benevolent Award, Officer Daniel Pietrafesa; Unit Citation, Winsted Fire Department, Winchester Fire Department, Highland Lake Association and the Waterbury Bagpipers; Civilian Recognition Award, Daniel and Beth Papermaster, School Crossing Guard John Burinskas, Winchester Fire Department, Lt. Brett Marchand and Winsted Ambulance EMT James Lucia; Officer of the Year Award, Officer Daniel Pietrafesa.