South Windsor Mourns Loss of Officer

From South Windsor Police Department

Members of the South Windsor Police Department are mourning the death of Lieutenant Richard A. Bond. Lt. Bond died early Wednesday morning (1/8/14), after a two year battle with cancer.

Richard Bond, 54, was born and raised in South Windsor and was hired as a South Windsor police officer on July 1, 1980. 

He graduated from Connecticut’s Municipal Police Training Council Academy on September 25, 1980. He graduated sixth in his class of 35 recruits.

Through the years, Lt. Bond held many positions within the police department. He served as a patrol officer, criminal investigator and traffic officer as well as a patrol supervisor and field training officer. Lt. Bond excelled in the field of traffic accident investigation and reconstruction. He was the leader of the police department’s traffic safety enforcement unit for many years and served as the commander of the regional Metro Traffic Services (MTS) unit.

Lt. Bond was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in February, 2007 and was assigned to his current position as the Commander of the department’s Special Services Division. In that role he was responsible for the department’s criminal investigations unit, youth and victim services unit and the traffic safety enforcement unit.

Throughout his career, Lt. Bond received numerous awards and commendations. He was recognized as South Windsor’s Police Officer of the Year in 1995. In 1990, Bond was assigned to investigate an armed robbery at the CBT bank on Route 5. As he arrived he encountered the robbers as they got into their car to flee. Lt. Bond pursued the robbers into Hartford as the robbers fired several shots at Bond from their moving car. The money was recovered and the robbers were eventually arrested. For his actions, Lt. Bond received the Department’s highest award for valor.

Richard Bond leaves his wife, Robin Bond, his brother John Bond and his two sisters Margaret Duffy and Amy Riggs.

Comments from Chief Reed: “Rich was my first training officer when I arrived at SWPD in 1987. We hit it off immediately. I had been a traffic accident investigator in the Army and Rich had an affinity for that type of work. He was a good guy and became a long-time friend. I was happy to have Lt. Bond as a key member of the Department’s command staff. As I began my tenure as Chief in 2010 it was important to have Rich’s support. His experience and competence were unmatched and I am proud to have worked with him. I will really miss him.”