South Windsor Police Hold Promotions, Awards Ceremony

On Wednesday, November 6, 2013 the South Windsor Police Department hosted a promotion and awards ceremony for four officers recently promoted. The department also recognized several officers for their conduct, the details are as follows:

Promoted:

Deputy Chief Timothy M. Edwards

Deputy Chief Timothy M. Edwards was hired in 1988 and has served the South Windsor Police Department in many roles throughout the years.  Most recently he has held the rank of lieutenant and served as commander of the department’s Support Services Division.  Deputy Chief Edwards holds a bachelor’s degree from Central Connecticut State University and an associate’s degree from Manchester Community College.  He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and a graduate of Connecticut’s Criminal Justice Command Institute Supervisory Leadership Program.

Lieutenant Scott P. Custer
Lieutenant Scott P. Custer is a 24-year veteran of the South Windsor Police Department, and will serve as commander of the Support Services Division. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Charter Oak State College,

and an associate’s degree from Manchester Community College.  He is a graduate of the Connecticut’s Criminal Justice Command Institute Supervisory Leadership Program and is currently a master’s degree candidate at the University of New Haven.

Sergeant Christopher R. Duchesne
Sergeant Christopher R. Duchesne is a 17-year veteran of the South Windsor Police Department and is currently a supervisor on the evening shift.  He has served as a Criminal Investigator, Field Training Officer, Honor Guard member and Traffic Officer.  Sergeant Duchesne has served as the Traffic Unit supervisor and is a Traffic Accident Reconstructionist. He has served on the regional traffic unit, Metro Traffic Services, and also serves as a motor officer, operating one of the department’s motorcycles during special events.  Sergeant Duchesne holds a bachelor’s degree from Charter Oak State College.

Agent Mark D. Halibozek

Agent Mark D. Halibozek is a 6-year veteran of the South Windsor Police Department and is currently assigned to the Traffic Unit, where he also serves on the regional traffic unit, Metro Traffic Services.  He is a Field Training Officer, Traffic Accident Reconstructionist and serves on the regional Emergency Services Team as a Tactical Operator. Agent Halibozek holds a bachelor’s degree from Assumption College and is a master’s degree candidate at Central Connecticut State University.

Awards:

Lifesaving Award

An award to a member for an act which directly results in the saving of another person’s life.  The act must be exemplary in nature and reflect the true spirit of police service.

Officer Tina Roy
In recognition of your lifesaving efforts on September 28, 2013.  You were off-duty attending a youth soccer game in Avon when you became aware that a 52 year old male spectator had become unconscious. You came to the man’s aid and found that he had no pulse and began CPR with another person for a prolonged period until an ambulance arrived. After the man was transported to the hospital you gathered the youths for debriefing and prayer. Because of your immediate actions the man was given emergency cardiac surgery and survived. Your actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of policing and reflect great credit upon you and the South Windsor Police Department.

Sergeant Christopher Duchesne, Agent Michael Prescher, Officer Scott Madore, Dispatcher Krista Jeski

In recognition of the lifesaving efforts of you and your fellow officers on May 24, 2013.  

Dispatchers received a call asking for a welfare check on an eighteen year old woman.  The responding officer interviewed the complainant who revealed that the woman was suicidal and may have taken a lethal overdose of medications.  The officer had responded to an attempted suicide incident with the woman about a month earlier and knew that there was a strong likelihood that this woman’s life may be at risk.  

The officer coordinated with dispatchers who contacted the cell phone carrier of the missing woman’s telephone.  The cell carrier worked with dispatchers to locate the woman’s phone.  However, coordinates provided by the cell carrier were found to be erroneous and not helpful.  At the continued urging of dispatch personnel, the carrier conducted another search for the missing women’s phone. 

Finally, valid coordinates were received and officers were sent to the location where the woman was thought to be.  When officers arrived they found the woman seated in her car with the exhaust directed into the passenger compartment.  The woman was lethargic and not coherent.  She was treated by officers on the scene and then transported to the hospital.  

The actions of all of the officers and the dispatchers resulted in the saving of this woman’s life.  Your actions reflect distinct credit upon you and the South Windsor Police Department.    

Distinguished Unit Medal- Armed Robbery arrest:

An award to members of a unit who work as a team to accomplish a complex investigation, manage a complex, dangerous crime scene or work to bring great credit to the police department.

The following department staff were instrumental in the arrest of an armed robbery suspect on September 20th when a Sullivan Avenue liquor store was robbed.  We recognize the excellent conduct of the dispatchers, who relayed suspect information, the officers who apprehended the suspect and those officers who continually searched for the discarded weapon, locating the evidence after a prolonged search effort:

• Sergeant Michael Dobler
• Sergeant Elsie Diaz-Duchesne
• Agent Michael Thompson
• Agent Michael Prescher
• Officer Scott Madore
• Officer Daniel Cain
• Officer Stephen Hoover
• Officer Kyle LaPorte
• Officer Joseph Futtner
• Dispatcher Krista Jeski
• Dispatcher Gary Rossignol