Police Officers Receive Awards Of Merit

Two town police officers have received Awards for Merit from the police department for the actions they took during a violent incident off Brushy Hill Road in December 2004.

Sergeant Douglas Wisentaner and Officer Scott Ruszczyk received the Awards for Merit at ceremonies held May 25 at The Fireside Inn.

During the evening of December 24, 2004, Sgt Wisentaner and members of his patrol shift were dispatched to a domestic violence incident in progress involving a husband and wife. The husband, who was armed with a rifle, had fired off several rounds, and had then run outdoors into a nearby wooded area.

The sergeant established a command post and perimeters, contacted other police departments for help, and planned for the safe rescue of the female victim from the residence.

The sergeant drove up to the home and evacuated the woman from the premises. He then coordinated efforts to find the husband who was later found lying in the woods and suffering from self-inflicted wounds. The man later died.

“[Wisentaner’s] leadership and coordination skills have earned him the confidence and respect of our community and his peers, and are a credit upon himself and the department that he serves,” police said in a statement.

In that incident, Officer Ruszczyk assisted in planning to rescue the woman from the house. While facing the prospect of attack from an intoxicated, armed suspect, he drove up in a vehicle to the home, providing cover for Sgt Wisentaner and the victim and ensured that the victim safely entered the vehicle.

Officer Ruszczyk then searched for the suspect in a heavily wooded area, found the 45-year-old injured man, and removed the knife that was lying at his side.

“Officer Ruszczyk’s display of courage and professionalism have earned him the confidence and respect of our community and his peers,” police said in a statement.

At the ceremonies, police also presented Awards for Merit to Officer Andrew Stinson and his German shepherd partner Baro in connection with a November 2005 incident.

During the early morning of November 1, 2005, Officer Stinson was called in the perform a dog tracking of an intoxicated and possibly armed woman who had assaulted her husband with a knife and who had sustained a knife injury to her eye.

Officer Stinson and Baro quickly arrived at the scene, picked up the woman’s scent and found her in a wooded area, taking her into custody.

The police department commended both Officer Stinson and Baro for their efforts in finding the woman.

The police department presented a Certificate of Commendation to Officer Michael McGowan for his work in solving crimes involving thousands of dollars of damage to personal property during a vandalism spree that occurred in May 2004.

“Officer McGowan gathered the other officers’ reports, tracked down and interviewed suspects, garnered confessions, and ultimately wrote four arrest warrants and a search-and-seizure warrant,” police said in a statement. 

Officer McGowan’s work resulted in four arrests and the seizure and forfeiture of the automobile that the vandals had used during their vandalism spree.

At the awards ceremony, police provided honorable and meritorious service awards to 12 officers, noting their years of service with the organization.

Receiving those awards for having passed 20 years of service were: Detective Joseph Joudy, Lieutenant James Mooney, Sergeant Darlene Froehlich, Officer Gary Wheeler; 15 years, Captain Joe Rios, Lieutenant George Sinko; 10 years, Sergeant Phil Hynes, Officer Dan Cacace; 5 years, Officer Michael McGowan, Officer Michael Edis, Officer Thomas Bean, Officer Steven Santucci.

Receiving the police department’s education award for receiving college degrees were: Officer Dominic Costello, master’s; Officer Sean Buckley, bachelor’s; and Officer Daniel McAnaspie, associate’s.

Civilian Leo Ficks received the Anita M. Goosman Award for providing service to the police department.