Granby Police Recognized for Exemplary Service

Submitted by the Granby Police Department

Granby Police Officers received awards for exemplary service on Police Officers Memorial Day, May 15, 2013, at the Granby Police Department. The event was well attended by officers and their families, members of the public and town officials. The following awards were given: 

Departmental Citation: 

• Chief Carl Rosensweig in recognition of his arrest of a bank robbery suspect on 9/11/12. Absent Chief Rosensweig’s actions, the suspect would probably not have been identified.

 Police Merit Awards: 

• Officers Jeremiah Dowd and Officer Christopher Poehnert in recognition of their investigation of an armed home invasion on 7/23/12.  Two previously convicted felons were armed with an AK-47 assault rifle during the event.  Both were charged and are awaiting trial.

• Sergeant Gary Charette in recognition of his exemplary leadership and resourcefulness during the October storm of 2011.

 Letters of Commendation: 

• Sergeant Doreen Mikan in recognition of her extraordinary rescue efforts for an infant in extreme distress during a childbirth emergency on 2/17/13.

• Officer Steven Vernale in recognition of his investigation, both on and off duty, of significant damage caused to the Middle School caused by a vehicle which fled the scene on 1/22/12. The operator was identified and apprehended, allowing the recovery of taxpayer repair dollars.

• Sergeant Robert Castle, Officer Jameson Ball, Officer Mark Garofalo, and Dispatcher (now Officer) Michael Joseph in recognition of their efforts on 4/2/12 intervening with a suicidal individual armed with a handgun.  The incident was successfully resolved with no injuries.

Sergeant Gary Charette in recognition of skillful interview and investigative techniques following a bank robbery on 9/11/12. 

In addition to obtaining a confession to a Granby robbery, Charette’s efforts resulted in the arrest of the suspect for a bank robbery in Somers which otherwise would probably have gone unsolved.