#Norwalk Connecticut–On November 18, 2016, eight members of the Norwalk Department of Police Service were recognized at the AFSCME Council 4 Courage of Connecticut Law Enforcement Dinner. These officers were awarded the Courage of Connecticut Law Enforcement Plaque for their displays of gallantry and bravery in the line of duty. Below is a synopsis of the incidents.
Officer Collins and Officer Vazquez were recognized for their actions at the scene of a vehicle that had crashed, landing on its roof in the Norwalk River on March 6, 2016. Both officers entered the water and along with members of the Norwalk Fire Department removed the injured driver to safety.
Officer Castaldi and Officer Wargo were recognized for their actions on July 9, 2016. These officers assisted the Connecticut State Police, who were pursuing a stolen vehicle on I-95. The pursuit ended when the suspect of the stolen tow truck struck a State Police car and crashed. The stolen vehicle caught fire with the driver trapped in the vehicle. Norwalk Officers reached the driver first and had to break out a window, saving the suspect from serious injury or death.
Officer DePanfilis, Officer Nyquist and Officer Silva were recognized for their actions on May 12, 2016. These officers encountered a male armed with a large knife on New Canaan Avenue. Despite repeated requests, the man, who appeared under the influence of PCP, refused to drop the knife. Officers successfully disarmed the man after deploying a taser thus de-escalating the incident.
Officer Richard DeLallo was recognized for his actions on September 10, 2016. Marine Unit Officer DeLallo entered the water after he and his partner came upon a boater who had been knocked out of his boat in Long Island Sound. Once in the water Officer DeLallo’s life vest malfunctioned, creating and even more dangerous situation. Officer DeLallo was able to swim the exhausted victim back to the police boat, where the victim was transported to a waiting ambulance.
Congratulations to Officer Robert Castaldi, Officer Brendan Collins, Officer Richard DeLallo, Officer Matthew Nyquist, Officer Jose Silva, Officer Daniel Vazquez and Officer Paul Wargo for your bravery and professionalism while exposing yourselves to potential or imminent injury.
