Honoring A Dedicated And Humble Man Killed In The Line Of Duty

This article was written and reported by Pem McNerney

On April 13, the family, friends and fellow officers of state Environmental Conservation [EnCon] Police Officer James V. Spignesi, Jr. will gather to honor the only state EnCon officer to be shot and killed in the history of the organization that works to protect the state’s parks and natural resources through law enforcement, outreach, and education. Spignesi’s family, friends, and fellow officers are asking the public to join them in honoring a dedicated and humble man who, through his work, combined his love of the environment with a desire to keep the public safe. 

Anyone interested in helping is welcome to donate to a fund that supports an endowed annual scholarship at the University of Connecticut for students who want to go into wildlife law enforcement or management, and who are deemed to share Spignesi’s spirit of dedication, generosity and professionalism. To get tickets for the April 13 event, or to otherwise provide support or help out, email Kathleen Spignesi at: kspigs@gmail.com. Donations also may be made at this link or by check payable to James V. Spignesi Jr. Memorial Fund, and sent to: James V. Spignesi Jr. Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 156, Hampton, CT 06247.

Shot and killed while on patrol
Spignesi was shot and killed in November 1998 while on patrol in Scotland, CT, searching for an illegal hunter. Spignesi was pronounced dead a short time later at a local hospital. But his tragic death is far from the only legacy he left.

A few weeks ago, at the 2012-2013 University of Connecticut College of Agriculture & Natural Resources and Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture Scholarship & Awards recognition ceremony, his brother Tom Spignesi told two other stories about James Spignesi, who attended high school in West Hartford and lived in Hampton.

Several months before he was shot and killed in the line of duty, Spignesi was awarded a medal for Meritorious Service for his role in finding a suicidal, runaway youth in the Nachaug Forest. The search had been called off for the night, but Spignesi continued searching, found the youth, and returned him to his family. Spignesi’s family members, who were close to Spignesi and talked with every day, only learned about the Meritorious Service award for that after a family friend saw the award on television and told the family. Tom Spignesi said he later learned James Spignesi had to be ordered by his sergeant to attend the awards ceremony. For James Spignesi, it wasn’t about the honors, it was about the work, his brother said.

The evening of his death, a teaching moment
Tom Spignesi told another story as well. The same evening of his death, on patrol in Scotland, CT, James Spignesi came across two hunters, a father and son, coming out of the woods later than they should have. James Spignesi talked with the father and son, and turned the encounter into a teaching moment about the importance of safety and following applicable hunting laws. After he learned about James Spignesi’s death, the father wrote a letter of appreciation and said his death was a sad loss for the residents of Connecticut.

Tom Spignesi said the annual awards ceremony is a bittersweet moment for his brother’s family, friends, and fellow officers. They are proud to be helping students carry on James Spignesi’s legacy. Scholarships have been provided to students at UConn, in Hampton, and in West Hartford. But his death created a wound that can never be healed, his brother said. Still, seeing the support provided by the community makes the wound a little less painful, Tom Spignesi said.

Banquet features dinner, silent auction, “friends, laughs, and prizes”

To hear Tom Spignesi talk about his brother, you can view this “Why We Are Donors” video on YouTube.

Here are details about the scholarship banquet from the Facebook page created for the event. 

The Connecticut Conservation Officers Association (CCOA) is sponsoring the 12th Annual James V. Spignesi Jr. Scholarship Banquet, and we are thrilled to say it is once again being hosted at the Scotland Fire Department. Join us for a night of friends, laughs, and prizes!

The night begins at 5:30 p.m. with a silent auction while guests can also preview the live auction and raffle prizes, before dinner is served at 7 p.m. BYOB. Tickets are $35, and also enters you for a chance to win one of 6 great door prizes. Can't make the banquet, but still interested in these great prizes? Door prize raffle tickets are only $10 each! 

For further information on getting tickets for the event or donating to the banquet, please email Kathleen Spignesi at: kspigs@gmail.com. If donating, please include your personal and/or business info via email so we can ensure that proper recognition is given.

All proceeds and donations will benefit the James V. Spignesi Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Connecticut Conservation Officers Association, Inc.