Southington Honors Police Officers, Citizens for ‘Work Well Above the Call of Duty’

Residents of Curtiss Street found themselves terrified in July 2012 following a string of home invasions. An unknown suspect, using wire cutters, had gained access to multiple homes using wire cutters and stole from multiple residences.

It’s a feeling of helplessness, but thanks to an effort from a team of officers – 19 total to be exact – residents found closure when the man responsible was taken into custody the same weekend.

“That’s just one example of how our officers are going above and beyond,” said Chief Jack Daly. “We have an excellent department, but so many of these guys have done exceptional work at they deserve to be recognized.”

Town staff, police administrators and members of the police commission took time to recognize those efforts Thursday during the 2013 Southington Police Department Award Ceremony.

In an evening filled with tales of superior police work, amazing responses and more, Commissioner Nicholas DePoala said residents should pause to recognize all the work officers do every day to help keep Southington safe and vibrant.

“I am always amazed at the things these guys do,” he said. “Just read these stories; they are running into burning buildings, controlling crowds and risking their own lives and serious injury to disarm suspects and keep everyone safe.”

But it wasn’t just officers raising eyebrows with heroic tales. The 2013 ceremony allowed the department to honor three men who saved a coworker’s life at Yarde Metals. Dan Slisz, Brian Tessman, and Sean Orzech sprung into action after their coworker suffered a heart attack and had no pulse.

Tessman said Slisz instantly started CPR and Orzech grabbed a nearby defibrillator, allowing Tessman to spring into action. It provided the time needed for EMS to arrive and restarted the man’s heart, saving his life.

“It was just something we felt we needed to do. We knew he was in trouble,” said Slisz, who also works as a volunteer firefighter. “You hear all the stories of people dying, but we were part of a different story. It doesn’t get better than that.”

Take a look back at all of the 2013 award winners:

American Legion Officer of the Year: Sgt. Keith Egan.

Perfect Attendance Award: Lt. Lowell DePalma, Capt. Edward Pocock III, Officer Donald MacKenzie.

Public Appreciation Award: Officer Thomas Gallo, Sgt. Jason Watson, Det. Mark Beal, Det. Kyle Dobratz, Officer Alex Miller, Officer Timothy Wilk, Officer Donald MacKenzie, Officer Jeffrey Lowery.

Excellence in Police Duty: Lt. Michael Shanley, Officer Melvin Emond, Officer Gerald Triano, Officer Thomas Porter, Sgt. Keith Egan, Det. Adam Tillotson, Det. Mark Beal, Officer Thomas Gallo, Master Sgt. Michael Kahn, Sgt. Jason Watson, Officer Thomas Gorr, Officer Brian Leppard, Master Sgt. Stephen Elliott, Officer Jeffrey Ward, Lt. Lowell DePalma, Chief Jack Daly, Capt. Edward Pocock III, Officer Jeffrey Lowery, Det. Lewis Palmieri, Det. Kyle Dobratz, Det. James Armack.

Home Invasion Task Force (Excellence in Police Duty): Lt. Michael Shanley, Det. Mark Beal, Det. Lewis Palmieri, Sgt. Frank Bavaro, Det. James Armack, Officer Gerald Triano, Officer Melvin Emond, Officer John Mahon, K-9 Arno, Sgt. Benjamin Doerfler, Officer Matthew Vose, Officer Nathan Boislard, Officer Chad Butler, Officer Kenneth Kizilski, Det. Karen Apicella, Det. Scott Wojenski, Officer James Valentine, Officer Mark DiBattista, Officer Jonathan Lopa, Officer Steven Cifone, Officer Kevin Naranjo.

Distinguished Service Award: Det. Kyle Dobratz.

Meritorious Service Award: Officer Timothy Wilk.

Police Purple Heart Award: Sgt. Benjamin Doerfler, Officer Melvin Emond.

Commendations: Officer Busa, Master Sgt. Wilson, Det. Adam Tiilotson, Officer Colvolpe (Bristol PD), Sgt. Benjamin Doerfler, Officer Melvin Emond, Officer Kevin Naranjo.

SPD Order of the Police Cross: Commissioner Stephen Pestillo.

SPD Community Service Award Recipients: Dan Slisz, Brian Tessman, Sean Orzech, Curtis Robinson.

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