Norwalk Police Officer Arrested After Road Rage Incident Retires: PD

NORWALK, CT — A Norwalk police officer who was charged in a road rage incident near Trumbull earlier this year retired this week after an internal investigation found he violated several of the department's rules of conduct, according to police.

In a statement sent to media, Police Chief James Walsh said Officer David Vetare, 54, was arrested by Connecticut State Police on charges of reckless driving, operating a motor vehicle with the intention to harass or intimidate, second-degree reckless endangerment and second-degree breach of peace.

According to Walsh, police conducted an internal investigation following Vetare's arrest to determine if he violated the department's manual of rules and regulations.

The investigation found Vetare was in violation of several Norwalk Police Manual rules of conduct, and Vetare retired from service Tuesday, Walsh said.

"As I have stated earlier, these actions do not define our department as a whole and do not reflect on the men and women of the Norwalk Police Department who serve our citizens," Walsh said. "I understand that these events have shaken the trust in our department, which we have worked so hard to build in the past. I reassure the residents of Norwalk that I am committed to transparency, officer accountability, and upholding the highest standards of integrity."

According to an incident report provided by state police, Troop G Troopers received a report on March 9 around 12 p.m. from a woman who said her vehicle was struck with an object during a road rage incident on Route 15 north between exits 44 and 49.

The woman told troopers the driver of a tan GMC Yukon with a Connecticut license plate threw an object at her car and followed her in an attempt to run her off the road, according to state police.

Troopers later located the vehicle and the driver was identified as Vetare, who admitted to his involvement in the incident, state police said.

At the time of his arrest, Vetare was the third Norwalk police officer to be charged within a month. In response, Walsh promised "transparency and accountability" from the department.

In a statement released at the time of Vetare's arrest, Walsh reassured Norwalk residents maintaining their safety and trust remained the department's top priority.

"While recent events may cause uncertainty, I want to emphasize that these actions do not define our department as a whole," Walsh said. "We are committed to transparency, accountability, and upholding the highest standards of integrity."