Retiring Vernon Police Chief Joining Ellington School Security Team

ELLINGTON, CT — As one of a handful of school districts in Connecticut that employ armed school security officers (SSO), Ellington has become a destination for retired police chiefs. Those ranks will increase next month with the hiring of retiring Vernon Chief John Kelley.

A 25-year veteran in Vernon, Kelley's retirement is effective March 22. He begins his new duties in Ellington the following Monday, March 25.

Kelley replaces Chris Dufresne, a recent retiree from the Enfield Police Department who has returned to full-time policing in Granby.

Kelley has earned degrees from Roger Williams University and the University of Connecticut, and graduated from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Academy in 2018. Receiving an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army Reserve in 1998, he joined the Vernon force the following year, serving in various ranks and positions including canine handler, detective sergeant, detective division commander, lieutenant and captain. He was appointed Chief of Police in 2021.

"I am honored to be a part of the team and to serve the staff and students of the Ellington Public Schools," Kelley said. "For the better part of five decades, I have lived and worked in the towns of Ellington and Vernon and I couldn’t be more pleased to continue my life’s journey here."

Town Administrator Matthew Reed, former chief of the South Windsor Police Department, said, "I am pleased that Chief Kelley is joining the Ellington team. The town and school district’s partnership is strong, and our first priority is always to ensure the safety and security of its employees, residents, and children."