Community Corner
Berlin Police Honor Former Commissioner With Challenge Coin
Tony Letizio earned the award after he helped officers apprehend a person accused of shoplifting who had run into rush hour traffic.

BERLIN, CT — The Berlin Police Department has awarded former Berlin Police Commissioner Tony Letizio with a "BPD challenge coin" after he helped officers respond to a call earlier this month.
On May 5, Berlin police were trying to apprehend two people accused of shoplifting from a nearby business when the suspects began fighting with police, the department said on Facebook.
One of them broke free and ran across the Berlin Turnpike into rush hour traffic and was pursued by K9 Bane. The suspect suffered a dog bite but continued to fight with Officer Brandon Lagueux, police said, at which point Letizio happened to drive by and stopped to help.
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"Mr. Letizio was very helpful in the eventual securing of the suspect and even held Bane by the leash to prevent him from stepping into traffic," officers wrote on Facebook.
To thank him for his help, Letizio was presented with the BPD challenge coin last week.
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Officers said Berlin Police typically present the coins to citizens as part of a "recognition program for contributions made to better police and citizen partnerships."
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