Police Chief John DiFederico presented the following letters of appreciation during the June 21 Police Commission meeting.
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Lt. Carol Ogrinc, Officer Matthew Marzano and Officer Jeffrey Pollock
L-R: Lt. Carol Ogrinc, Officer Matthew Marzano, Officer Jeffrey Pollock. Credit on officers’ photos: Legacy Studios
“Thank you so much for helping this panicked mom get her son out of his knotted seatbelt! I am so grateful for you and the NCPD! You are all amazing and we are thankful for you! Please enjoy these cookies!”
—Sherryl Mascarinas (June 15)
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Officer Annamaria Ceci and Officer Kelly Coughlin
L-R: Officer Annamaria Ceci and Officer Kelly Coughlin. Credit: Legacy Studios
“Dear Chief DiFederico, Thank you very much for the Civilian Police Academy. The scope and breadth of the skills and duties performed by your officers was eye-opening. It was obvious that Officers Coughlin and Ceci put time and effort into this course and the result was a thoroughly rewarding experience. Many thanks again.”
—Vivian Kimball (June 11)
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Officer Sebastian Obando
Officer Sebastian Obando. Credit: Legacy Studios
“Dear Chief DiFederico, On May 25, 2023 the Newtown Police Department conducted a K9 sniff at the Newtown Middle School. Our department is grateful for the assistance of Officer Obando and K9 Apollo in our efforts to maintain a safe and healthy school environment for the staff and students. Your support of our department’s mission is meaningful to all of our officers and we look forward to continued interagency cooperation in the future.”
—Chief David Kullgren, Newtown Police Department (June 6, 2023)
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Lt. Marc DeFelice, Officer Giancarlo Vincenzi and Officer Idelissa Lluveres
L-R: Lt. Marc DeFelice, Officer Giancarlo Vincenzi, Officer Idelissa Lluveres. Credit: Legacy Studios
“On behalf of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) we want to send a special ‘Thank You’ to Lieutenant Marc DeFelice Officer Giancarlo Vicenzi and Officer Idelissa Lluveres for their outstanding work at the May Fair and specifically their support of CERT activities during the event. With record-breaking crowds this year, compounded by a dilemma brought on by the close of the Presbyterian Church parking lot to May Fair goers, these officers proved to be outstanding contributors. A special ‘Thank You’ to Giancarlo who oversaw the intersection of the Nature Center and Oenoke Ridge. CERT estimates he managed nearly 400 cars entering and exiting the Nature Center access Rd., over 2,000 pedestrians crossing Oenoke Ridge, and hundreds of North and Southbound automobiles going to and from Town along Oenoke Ridge, all within the space of about 1,000 square feet. He did so with calm and professionalism and kept the joy of the event as he interacted with parents and excited children. Please thank them for all their great work!”
—Stuart Sawabini, executive director, New Canaan CERT (May 16)
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Capt. Joseph Farenga, Lt. Marc DeFelice, Lt. Jason Ferraro, Sgt. Roberto Lopez, Sgt. Brian Mitchell, Sgt. Scott Romano, Officer Roy Adams, Officer George Caponera, Officer Annamaria Ceci, Officer Jeff Deak, Officer Christopher Dewey, Officer Shane Gibson, Officer Rodger Hamilton, Officer Thomas Patten, Officer Robert Rizzitelli, Officer Joseph Schinella, Officer Nicole Vartuli and Officer Giancarlo Vincenzi
“This past Friday June 2nd we hosted a portion of Leg 10 of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Connecticut. This was the first time New Canaan got to be a part of the route in over 20 years. I wanted to take the time to mention everyone from NCPD that made this event a success. Captain Farenga, Sgt. Lopez, Ofc. Adams, Ofc. Ceci and Ofc. Vincenzi assisted with fundraising, which included getting business sponsors and hosting our Tip-A-Cop event at The Diner of New Canaan. Sgt. Romano and Ofc. Vartuli were on shift and Ofc. Vincenzi came in to each be in a patrol car/motorcycle for the procession guiding the runners through town. Ofc. Dewey and Ofc. Hamilton were on shift and assisted with traffic at South/Farm. Lt. Ferraro left his side job to join the procession and take videos/photos for our social media accounts along with Ofc. Ceci. Ofc. Deak brought out students from NCHS to South Avenue to hand out waters and Ofc. Gibson also coordinated a large cheering section of students from South School to watch from South Avenue. Captain Farenga, Lt. DeFelice, Sgt. Mitchell, Ofc. Patten, Ofc. Caponera, Ofc. Gibson, Ofc. Rizzitelli and Ofc. Schinella all volunteered their time to run just over 3 miles in the heat for this great cause. Thank you Chief for your assistance in bringing the Torch Run back to New Canaan and thank you to all of these officers for their time dedicated to this great cause.”
—Officer Kelly Coughlin