Officer Middleton: An Onging Legacy In Stafford

STAFFORD, CT — Patch and T-Mobile are teaming up to highlight the legacies of responders who have made a difference and there is certainly one who is leaving an ongoing legacy in north central Connecticut.

That's Officer Earl Middleton.

He entered the law enforcement profession after an intercollegiate swimming career at Southern Connecticut State University.

He then spent 23 years as a police officer in Vernon. Among his feats were credits for saving four lives with his CPR skills, a figure that likely higher since the VPD started keeping track of such statistics after he was on the job.

Middleton was also known for his compassion. Several years ago, he responded to a motor vehicle crash in Vernon during which a car had flipped onto its roof. He calmly crawled under the car and hung out with the driver to keep her calm and comfortable until emergency crews could get her out.

Perhaps the most remarkable accomplishment for Middleton was that he never ate a single doughnut while on the job in Vernon.

Middleton is currently Stafford High School's resource officer and he is usually first person students see when they arrive on campus. He greets students with a smile compassion and understanding.

He's also know to jump into athletic activities and is the guitarist for the popular Loveland Hill Band.

Middletown politely and firmly sends out a reminder each year about school bus traffic rules.

He's a sampling of what residents have saif about Middleton over the years:

• "He’s awesome! My son was having a really rough morning today crying and not wanting to go to school and he took care of it and helped him out!!! Thank you!!!"
• "Thank you for your service I have to say respecting the school bus and protecting our children is of upmost importance I personally have been in the habit of keeping at least a car length when I come to a stop behind a bus to protect a rear impact situation as a buffer per say Slow Down."
• "This man does his job fantastically."
• "Great job playing in the band BTW."