The Connecticut State Police recently promoted 10 Troopers to Sergeant and recognized them during a ceremony at State Police Headquarters in Middletown on January 11, 2018.
Dr. Dora B. Schriro, Commissioner of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, formally promoted the Troopers during the event and State Police Colonel Alaric J. Fox pinned badges on the new Sergeants. Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman also attended and addressed the promotees.
The following Troopers were promoted:
Sergeant Don Chasse, Jr. Sgt. Chasse was promoted from Trooper First Class and has been assigned to Troop I in Bethany. He was most recently at Troop A in Southbury and a K-9 handler. Sgt. Chasse has been a Trooper for 11 years and has earned the agency’s Medal for Meritorious Service, Medal for Lifesaving, Medal for Outstanding Service and two Unit Citation Awards. He holds an Associate’s Degree from Briarwood College and previously served as a Police Officer in Plymouth. He resides in Thomaston with his family.
Sergeant Patrick Collins Sgt. Collins was promoted from Trooper First Class and will take a new assignment at Troop H in Hartford; he most recently served at Troop B in North Canaan. A Trooper for two decades, his previous assignments include Troop H in Hartford and the Bureau of Criminal Investigations. Sgt. Collins earned an Associate’s Degree from Holyoke Community College and a Bachelor’s Degree from Westfield State College. He is also a state-certified Emergency Medical Technician. He lives in Windsor Locks with his family.
Sergeant Matthew Ewing Sgt. Ewing was promoted from Trooper First Class, where he most recently served as Chester Resident Trooper. As Sergeant, he will be assigned to Troop I in Bethany. During his dozen years as a Trooper, Sgt. Ewing has also served at Troop K in Colchester. He has earned the agency’s Medal for Meritorious Service, Medal for Outstanding Service, three Unit Citation Awards and the Wartime Service Award, as well as the Mothers Against Drunk Driving Award. He has been a DARE Instructor, a Field Training Officer and a member of the State Police Honor Guard. Sgt. Ewing holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Central Connecticut State University and is a veteran of the Marine Corps. He lives in Killingworth with his family.
Sergeant Myles Ginley Sgt. Ginley was promoted from Trooper First Class and will now serve as Sergeant at Troop H in Hartford. During his 18-plus years as a Trooper, he served at Troop H in Hartford and as a Community Resource Officer and a School Resource Officer. Sgt. Ginley has been awarded with Medals for Outstanding Service, as well as a Unit Citation Award. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Saint Anselm College. He lives in Plainville with his family.
Sergeant Jack Kulig Sgt. Kulig was promoted from Trooper First Class and will be Sergeant at Troop F in Westbrook. He most recently served as a Detective in the State Police Central District Major Crime Squad and previously served at Troop I in Bethany and Troop G in Bridgeport. Sgt. Kulig has been a Trooper for 13 years and has earned an Award for Meritorious Service, a Lifesaving Award and a Unit Citation Award. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Westfield State College and lives in Southington with his family.
Sergeant Robert Olechowski Sgt. Olechowski was promoted from Trooper First Class, where he most recently served at Troop L in Litchfield. He will serve as sergeant at Troop A in Southbury. A Trooper for 11 years, he has earned the agency’s Award for Outstanding Service and is a six-time recipient of the Mothers Against Drunk Driving award. Sgt. Olechowski earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of New Haven and resides in Farmington.
Sergeant Alex Pearston Sgt. Pearston was promoted from Trooper First Class and has been reassigned from Resident Trooper in Burlington to Troop G in Bridgeport. Sgt. Pearston has been a Trooper for a decade and previously served at Troop G in Bridgeport and Troop L in Litchfield, as well as in the Governor’s Security Unit. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Charter Oak State College and is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He lives in Harwinton with his family
Sergeant Nicholas Tewell Sgt. Tewell was promoted from Trooper First Class and will serve as sergeant at Troop K in Colchester; he is currently assigned to Troop E in Montville. As a Trooper for more than nine years, he has also served at Troop F in Westbrook and has earned an Award for Meritorious Service and a Unit Citation Award. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Salve Regina University and resides in Stonington with his family.
Sergeant Gregory Zordan Sgt. Zordan was promoted from Trooper First Class and will now serve at Troop B in North Canaan; his most recent assignment was as Harwinton Resident Trooper. A Trooper for ten years, he has served at Troop A in Southbury and Troop L in Litchfield and has earned a Unit Citation Award. Sgt. Zordan holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of New Haven and has served as a Field Training Officer, a DARE officer and Advisor of the Troop L Cadet Post. He is a certified Emergency Medical Technician and a certified Firefighter. He lives with his wife in Torrington.