Honoring Those Who Protect and Serve

When Southington Police Officer Paul Carrubba arrived on the campus of the in February, he knew he was entering a dangerous situation. A man armed with a 12-inch knife had already threatened a security guard and was wandering the campus in a threatening manner.

Carrubba located the man and was instantly drawn into a standoff, with the man refusing to drop the knife and telling Carrubba that he “wanted police to kill him.” Carrubba quickly notified officers James Valentine and Chris Lamarre where he was and together the three were able to disarm the man and take him into custody without any injuries.

“Stories like these are an example of what our officers are willing to do every day,” said Lt. Edward Pocock III.

“It’s good for the public to see this side of what we do. All too often, people here about the bad things, but there are many dedicated people within the department who are putting their lives on the line every day in the name of public service,” Pocock said.

The three men received commendations for their effort Wednesday night as Southington’s finest were honored for their work during the Third Annual Awards Ceremony at .

The ceremony gave the department a chance to honor everything from the top performers to those with perfect attendance and other decorated achievements of merit.

The event was first organized in 2009 as a way of recognizing the efforts of officers, Pocock said, and has since grown to include police traditions such as the distinguished entrance led by the Police Pipes and Drums of Waterbury and recognition of the SPD Community Service award, which was given posthumously to World War II Army Capt. Jack Foley, who passed away in June.

Foley was the grandson of Tim Foley, the only member of the Southington Police Department ever to be killed in the line of duty. Despite his grandfather’s death, Jack Foley remained a familiar face at the department until his death.

“Jack saw himself as an ordinary man in an extraordinary generation,” said Michele Taylor, Foley’s daughter. “He would have been so proud to be honored.”

Wednesday’s ceremony also included recognition for Sgt. Lowell DePalma, who was recognized for his initiative in bringing the Southington Police Department onto Facebook in a manner that has receive national recognition of excellence from the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and American Legion Officer of the Year Michael Kahn, who is now eligible to receive commendations on state and national levels.

Southington Police Chief Jack Daly, who was absent due to illness, said in a letter that regardless of the reason they were honored, every one of the recipients should be proud of what they’ve accomplished.

“Law enforcement is a profession that takes a special kind of person,” Daly said in the letter. “Often times, you only hear of the bad things, the times police officers do something wrong. This is a great chance to hear about the good these officers are doing everyday.”

Keynote speaker Garry Brumback, Southington’s Town Manager, said in the short time he has been in town he has gotten to know several of the officers. He said that he has never worked with a finer group of men and women.

Each of the department’s 68 sworn members have displayed the six points necessary to properly “protect and serve”: service, teamwork, competence, leadership, integrity and respect.

“These are public servants,” Brumback said. “They have a rare and special quality. It’s a calling for those who do it and in Southington, our officers do it well.”

The following officers were recognized for their service Wednesday night:

Chief’s Recognition Awards
Top Safety Enforcement Officer
Officer David Carbone

Top in Criminal Arrests  
Officer David Carbone

Top Pistol Shot
Officer John Mahon

Honor Guard Achievement
Officer Chad Butler

Elks Public Safety Award
Officer Mark DiBattista

American Legion Officer of the Year Award
Officer Michael Kahn

Perfect Attendance Award
Sgt. Nicholas Spratto (4th award)
Capt. William Palmieri (2nd award)
Lt. Edward Pocock III (1st award)
Officer Chris Lamarre (1st award)

Public Appreciation Award
Chief Jack Daly (5th award)
Capt. William Palmieri (5th award)
Officer Frank Bavaro (2nd award)
Officer Stephen Salerno (1st award)
Officer Mark DiBattista (1st award)

Excellence in Police Duty
Officer James Valentine
Officer Melvin Emond
Sgt. Lowell DePalma (2)
Officer Michael Kahn
Officer Thomas Gallo
Officer Thomas Porter
Officer Paul Carrubba
Officer Gerald Triano
Detective Mark Beal
Officer David Carbone
Officer Chad Butler (2)

Distinguished Service Award
Officer Jason Watson

Meritorious Service Award
Officer Donald MacKenzie III

Police Purple Heart
Officer John Marenholz Jr.

Commendation
Sgt. William T. Perry
Officer James Valentine (2)
Officer Melvin Emond
Officer Paul Carrubba
Officer Chris Lamarre