Commendations Awarded to Ridgefield Officers in 2014
The Officers mentioned below received commendations from the Board of Police Commissioners and Chief of Police in 2014. The department issues commendations for exemplary performance. Officers are nominated for commendations which are then reviewed by the department’s Commendation Board. The Commendation Board presents their recommendation for recognition to the Chief of Police and the Board of Police Commissioners. Congratulations and thank you for your continued dedication.
1. Medal of Valor to Officer Jorge Romero for his courageous actions facing an armed subject who was pointing a gun at and threatening a female subject in a Ridgefield residence. The subject pointed a gun at and advanced towards officers. The subject refused commands to drop his gun.
2. Chief’s Citation Bar to Lt. Mike Gates for his leadership at the deadly force scene. Lt. Gates coordinated efforts to provide medical attention for the subject and ensured that the scene was secured and protocols were followed.
3. Commendation to Officer Mark Caswell for providing medical attention at a deadly force incident. Officer Caswell attempted life saving measures to an inured subject.
4. Commendation to Communications Supervisor Bill Browning for handling all communications and dispatching during a deadly force incident. Bill Browning coordinated the response of Ridgefield Officers, area department’s officers and medics.
5. Commendation to Lt. Smith for assisting with the birth of a child. The lieutenant’s actions helped to ensure a safe delivery of a baby girl.
6. Commendation to Officer Chris Daly for assisting with the birth of a child. The officer’s actions helped to ensure a safe delivery of a baby girl.
7. Commendation to Major Brown for leading fundraising efforts for CT Special Olympics.
8. Exceptional Service Commendation to Officer Jorge Romero for handling a suspect who attempted to take the officer’s firearm. During this arrest the subject fought with officers and tried to take Officer Romero’s firearm. Officer Romero restrained and controlled the subject, avoiding a tragic outcome.
10. Commendation to Detective Steve Papstein for the successful investigation of bank robbery. Through dedicated investigation, Detectives Papstein and Dardis identified and arrested the bank robbery suspects. In addition, the detectives’ efforts led to bank robbery arrests in three other states.
11. Commendation to Detective Tom Dardis for successful investigation of bank robbery. Through dedicated investigation, Detectives Papstein and Dardis identified and arrested the bank robbery suspects. In addition, the detectives’ efforts led to bank robbery arrests in three other states.
12. Commendation to Detective John Knoche for marijuana, heroin, cocaine arrests. Det. Knoche’s arrests of these subjects netted large amounts of drugs, cash, and a motor vehicle.
13. Commendation to Detective Tom Dardis for off duty assistance to an injured motorist. Det. Dardis entered a swamp to attend to the injured operator and maintained an airway until medics arrived.
14. Commendation to Lt. Jeff Smith and Officer Dave Samoskevich for their response to a gas leak. Both officers helped to evacuate nearby buildings and restored calm to a potentially dangerous situation.
15. Commendation to Sgt. Larry Clarke for assisting the family of a deceased person.
16. Commendation to Det. John Knoche for assisting the family of a deceased person.
17. Commendation to Dan Gjodesen for assisting the family of a deceased person.
18. Commendation to Officer Kate Tinsley for assisting the family of a deceased person.
19. Commendation to Officer James VanWattum for his off-duty response to a brush fire. Officer VanWattum noticed the fire while driving to work and immediately dialed 911 and then helped the residents of a nearby house to evacuate. Officer VanWattum assisted in attempts to extinguish the fire until Ridgefield Fire Department personnel arrived.
20. Officer of the Year- Officer Dan Gjodesen