Crime & Safety

Six Awards Given to Norwalk Police for Meritorious Service

The Board of Police Commissioners on Monday awarded a Medal of Merit, a Distinguished Serice Award and four Meritorious Commendation Certificates to Norwalk police officers.

The city Police Commission's meeting on Monday was largely given over to various awards to officers and detectives. The Police Department provided these descriptions of the actions that led to each award (accompanying videos are a sampling of how the awards were described at the meeting):

Medal of Merit

Detective Lou Giannattasio

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On Jan. 21, 2010, Detective Giannattasio responded to 2 Chestnut St. on a reported structure fire. Upon his arrival heavy smoke was billowing out the front of the house. Detective Giannattasio was alerted by occupants of the house who had escaped that there was another female still in the house.

Without regard for his own safety, Detective Giannattasio immediately located the female, who was disoriented, on the first floor in the hallway towards the rear of the house by the kitchen. The female, who was reluctant to leave, was escorted out of the house and to safety by Detective Ginnattasio.

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Detective Giannattasio's diligence while on patrol enabled him to receive the report of a fire, and his quick response and his courage in entering the smoke-filled, burning building were instrumental in rescuing the female who was still inside and would have eventually been overcome by the heavy smoke and flames. For this, Detective Giannattasio is being recognized with the Medal of Merit.

Recommended by Sgt. J. Proudfoot

 

Distinguished Service Award: Officer Steven Luciano

Meritorious Commendation Certificate: Officer James Mosher

"On March 10, 2011, a burglary had occurred at the Radio Shack on Belden Avenue. The method of entry was the same as other, recent burglaries to the Radio Shacks on Connecticut Avenue, and previously at Belden Avenue.

Officer Luciano received information that a male was trying to sell a radio from Radio Shack at the Shell gas station on West Avenue. Upon his arrival, the male had departed, but Officer Luciano was able to obtain a description of the male and the vehicle he departed in.

Later that morning, Officer Luciano spotted the suspect vehicle back in the area of the Shell gas station. An NCIC check of the plate showed the vehicle was reported stolen. When Officer Luciano attempted a motor vehicle stop of the suspect/stolen vehicle it took off at a high rate of speed, entering onto I-95 North, engaging both Officer Luciano and Officer Mosher in a pursuit.

When Officer Luciano's vehicle was unable to keep up with the suspect vehicle, Off. Mosher took over lead. The suspect vehicle eventually crashed off of Exit 22 in Fairfield.

The apprehension of the suspect removed a habitual, convicted burglar from the streets. Officer Luciano's persistence in gathering information, not only on the burglary that morning but on the past burglaries, was outstanding and beyond the scope of normal and reasonable expectations. Officer Luciano's decision to drop back during the pursuit when his vehicle could not keep up showed sound judgment and is commendable.

(For the reasons why Mosher was awarded the Meritorious Commendaton Certificate, see Video 3.)

The apprehension of the suspect led to the confession by the suspect for other burglaries committed in Norwalk. For this, Officer Luciano is being awarded the Distinguished Service Award and Officer Mosher is being recognized with a Meritorious Commendation Certificate.

Recommended by Sgt. J. Proudfoot

Meritorious Commendation Certificate

Detective Terrence Blake and Detective Garrett Kruger

On Dec. 16, 2010, Detectives Blake and Kruger picked up a missing-person report generated by the Patrol Division. The case involved a 17-year-old female who was sending messages to her friends that she was being held against her will and was in distress. The detectives developed information that the female was in the Bronx, New York.

Acting quickly with the New York Police Department and the U.S. Marshals, the female was located whereupon it was discovered this was a prostitution/sex trafficking case. The detectives continued their investigation, locating several other females, one who was 15 years old.

The detectives worked diligently locating witnesses, coordinating the investigation with other agencies and putting together a case that was presentable to the federal Grand Jury. The end result was the arrest of three male subjects, two from Norwalk and one from New York. The subjects were federally indicted on numerous charges related to transporting minors to engage in prostitution. For their efforts, Detectives Blake and Kruger are being recognized with Meritorious Commendation Certificates.

Recommended by Lt. Lowe

See also:

Meritorious Commendation Certificate

Officer David Vetare

On March 1, 2011, an employee of the Citgo Station on East Avenue was robbed at gunpoint and then kidnapped. The suspects returned to the Citgo station with the employee in hopes of robbing the Citgo station itself.

The employee was able to escape and call 911. A description of the suspects and suspect vehicle was broadcast by communications. Later that morning, while driving on Connecticut Avenue by Wal-Mart, Officer Vetare observed a vehicle matching the suspect vehicle.

(For further description of Vetare's actions, see Video 2.)

Recommended by Sgt. T. Fern

See also: "" and

Meritorious Commendation Certificate

Officer Robert Castaldi

(For a description of Castaldi's actions, see Video 1.)

Recommended by Sgt. T. Fern


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