Branford Police Officer Rescues Teen Who Was Short Of Cash

BRANFORD, CT - Not all police work involves chasing down bad guys.

Sometimes it just means being a good person.

For example: at the most recent Board of Police Commission meeting in Branford a letter was read into the record thanking one of Branford’s newest police officers, Brenda Vera, for going above and beyond.

The letter was written to Police Chief John Mulhern.

Officer Vera was at Dunkin’ Donuts in Branford recently when, according to the letter writer, she noticed a “high school age” patron didn’t have enough money to cover her food order.

So what did Officer Vera do?

She quickly reached into her pocket and pulled out enough money to cover the teenager’s order.

The letter writer noticed the act of kindness by the officer and took the time to write a letter to the police chief, recognizing the act by the officer. The letter writer wanted the chief to be aware of the officer’s “empathy for the young person.”

The letter writer added that she wanted the officer to be recognized for “her random act of kindness.” The letter writer said she was “thankful to witness such a wonderful thing.”

Vera is a recent addition to the Branford police department.

Officer Vera previously worked as a DMV Inspector with the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles, and graduated from POST Police Academy in Meriden, CT in 2015. Her primary role as a DMV Inspector was MV enforcement, MV inspections and car dealership investigations.

She graduated from Wilbur Cross High School in 2002. After high school, she continued her education at Branford Hall Career Institute for Paralegal and graduated in 2004.

She also worked as a school bus driver for 5 years. Officer Vera currently resides in New Haven with her young son and is attending Middlesex Community College pursuing her Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice.