MONROE, Conn. — Police officers earned promotions in rank and recognition for thorough investigations and decisive actions leading to arrests, while solving major cases, as well as for the use of their medical training to save lives in the community during the 2026 Monroe Police Department Awards Ceremony held inside the Jockey Hollow Middle School auditorium Thursday evening.
The ceremony began with a processional led by Police Pipes & Drums of Waterbury as uniformed police officers walked into the auditorium single file. The Monroe Police Department Honor Guard did a presentation of colors and Masuk High School students, Ava Alves and Holly Torigian sang the “National Anthem.”
Police Chief Keith White asked the audience of family members and guests for a moment of silence for all of the officers who lost their lives in the line of duty as Pipe Major Angus MacDonald of Police Pipes & Drums of Waterbury played “Flowers in the Forest.”
Among the speakers was First Selectman Terry Rooney, who congratulated all of the officers earning promotions in rank and expressed his strong support for the Monroe Police Department.
“I’m very proud of this department,” he said. “I’m very proud of each and every individual. They approach their jobs with dignity, with integrity and courtesy to the public — and that’s something to be very happy for in the town of Monroe.”
White said stories of the amazing work the men and women of the Monroe Police Department do would be shared on a night ushering in new leadership.
Lt. Stephen Corrone was promoted to captain, sergeants Helio Ramalhete and Jeffrey Loomis rose to the rank of lieutenants, and officers Matthew Johnson and Michael Frizinia were both promoted to the rank of sergeant.
Monroe Police Commission Chairman Michael A. Vitello and fellow commissioners, Vice Chairman Daniel Hunsberger and Edward Deak Jr., participated in the swearing in ceremony as officer’s relatives pinned on their new badges.
Ramalhete was also honored as the Chief Jacob J. Tufano Officer of the Year and Officer Nicholas Puglisi was presented with the Sgt. Peter Howard Community Service Award. Puglisi was congratulated by the award’s namesake, retired sergeant, Pete Howard, who attended the ceremony.
The evening was about honoring past officers, as well as those who continue to serve. To that end, Certificates of Appreciation were presented to former Monroe officers Nicole Buckley, Michael Chaves and Mark Doyle; and Career Appreciation Certificates were given to Marianne Chaves, Michael Sweeney and Gregory Smith.
Current officers, Sgt. Michael DeCarli and Officer Omar Wahib, earned Distinguished Service Ribbons.
Secured with packing tape
A Civilian Award was given to four Benedict’s Home & Garden employees, who apprehended a shoplifter who allegedly swung chainsaws at them during an incident in October of 2025. The honorees were Matthew Flader, Thomas McDonald, Evan Vincent and John Verdicchio.
On a busy Sunday, many families were shopping at the store when the employees noticed a suspect leaving without paying for two chainsaws. Vincent and Verdicchio confronted him, and Vincent prevented him from entering his vehicle.
During the scuffle, police said the suspect swung the chainsaws, cutting Vincent’s hand.
McDonald and Flader managed to detain the suspect by securing his arms behind his back and binding them with packing tape, while other staff members called 911.
During the confrontation, the suspect yelled for a female accomplice nearby to “get his gun,” which police later determined was a nail gun in his vehicle. Meanwhile, employees kept the female accomplice at bay near the car.
When police officers arrived they quickly took control of the situation, handcuffing both suspects and providing the necessary medical care.
“Matthew, Thomas, John and Evan deserve recognition got their courageous actions,” Corrone said. “What began as a shoplifting incident escalated into a threat to public safety. The four men acted quickly to protect themselves, each other and nearby customers, including families with small children.”
A child is shot
Sgt. Todd Keeping, DeCarli, Officer Brooke Larsen and Dispatcher Justin Kelly earned Special Recognition Certificates for their roles in responding to an incident, in which a child sustained a gunshot wound on July 23, 2024.
Kelly handled a 911 call about a juvenile with a gunshot wound. Though the incident occurred at a Wheeler Road residence, there was confusion and it was believed the mother was trying to drive her child to the hospital. Kelly sent Larsen to Route 110, where he believed the vehicle would be.
Larsen found the vehicle and frantic mother and provided immediate medical treatment for the child. She remained with the victim and family members until they reached the hospital, while other officers worked to stabilize the scene. Adults in the house were uncooperative, so a search warrant was needed to find the weapon in the home, according to Corrone.
“Sergeants Keeping and DeCarli worked together to maintain two chaotic scenes,” the captain said. “They led a well communicated, coordinated team effort, slowing down the rapidly unfolding and emotional incident to allow for a thorough investigation. Multiple residents at the Wheeler Road address were eventually arrested in this case and the injured juvenile has since recovered.”
Officers Rampino and Puglisi, Dos Santos and Jimenez also contributed to the police response.
Gun store burglars
Sgt. DeCarli and officers Omar Wahib, Puglisi, Helder Dos Santos and Antonio Tuccinardi earned Special Recognition Certificates for their response to the attempted burglary of Blue Line Firearms at 232 Main St. on May 27, 2024.
At 8:16 p.m. the officers were dispatched to the store on a report of four people in dark hooded sweatshirts walking around the property and looking into the woods. It was a potentially dangerous call at a time when many recent gun shop burglaries were being reported in municipalities throughout the state, including Monroe.
The officers surrounded the suspects, their swift tactical response overwhelming them into surrendering after realizing there was no avenue of escape. Once in control of the scene, the officers handcuffed and searched each suspect, questioned them and seized their cellphones.
The officers determined the suspects had taken an Uber to the gun store and tracked down the driver leading to additional information.
“Their tactics led to the direct apprehension of four suspects,” Corrone said. “All of the officers assisted in a thorough investigation. Using the information received, they were able to discover other crimes committed by these suspects.”
Catching a sexual predator
Det. Kyle Stevens was awarded a Special Recognition Certificate for his successful investigation of a child molester.
On September 25, 2024, Stevens received an email from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force notifying him of a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The case was originally assigned to the Fairfield Police Department on April 11, 2024 due to the suspect using a Fairfield address.
On October 2, 2024, Stevens met with the Fairfield detectives, who gave him all the evidence and reports they had gathered up to that point. After poring over it, Stevens identified an address for the suspect in Monroe.
On October 10, 2024, after days of investigation and surveillance, a search warrant was executed by Monroe detectives and patrol officers at the residence. Monroe detectives seized the suspect’s cellphone, computer and other electronic devices.
After obtaining search warrants to go through the suspect’s phone and computer, Stevens uncovered numerous images of child pornography, as well as evidence leading to other sex crimes involving the suspect, including sexual assault and sexual assault of a minor.
On December 11, 2024, an arrest warrant was signed for the suspect, who was found in Fairfield later that day, taken into custody and held on $1 million bond. He is still incarcerated and awaiting trial.
“Detective Stevens’ outstanding investigative work not only pinpointed the location of this party, but uncovered additional heinous crimes committed by the perpetrator,” Corrone said. “Through his diligent efforts, he was able to identify and apprehend a dangerous felon.”
Containing a blaze
Officer Nicholas Puglisi was awarded a Special Recognition certificate for his response to a garage fire at a Monroe residence on May 18, 2024.
At 4:45 p.m., Puglisi arrived at the scene and saw a large fire at the base of the garage door, which was beginning to spread to the siding above it. He emptied a fire extinguisher, while quickly subduing the fire. Then he attempted to open the entry door, but it was locked.
Meanwhile, a dispatcher contacted the homeowner and determined no one was inside the home.
Puglisi used a garden hose on a pile of burnt debris to keep the fire from reigniting until the Monroe Fire Department arrived and forced entry into the garage to ensure no fire had spread to the inside of the residence.
“Officer Puglisi’s swift actions successfully contained the blaze, preventing its spread to adjacent areas of the home and mitigating further structural damage,” Corrone said. “This proactive intervention not only safeguarded the residence, but also exemplified the highest standards of service and commitment expected of law enforcement professionals.”
Rescue at the dam
Officer Dominick Ebert, Officer Jessica Legen and Officer Puglisi earned Life Saving Medals; and Sgt. Michael Johnson and Dispatcher Keith Barton earned Special Recognition Certificates for their roles in stopping a distraught woman from jumping into Stevenson Dam on April 24, 2025.
Early that morning, Barton answered a 911 call. No one spoke on the other end of the line and only the sound of a car radio could be heard in the background. But the dispatcher remained calm and professional, staying on the call for more than five minutes, while repeatedly attempting to communicate with the caller.
During this critical time, Barton successfully obtained a GPS location from the phone, pinpointing it as stationary at the entrance to Stevenson Dam. Moments later, he heard a car door open and close.
Concerned for the caller’s safety, Barton immediately dispatched Puglisi to the scene.
Remaining on the line, Barton heard heavy, labored breathing followed by the call disconnecting. Almost immediately, another 911 call came in from the same number. This time, a 21-year-old woman, sobbing uncontrollably, said she was going to jump from the dam.
Puglisi soon arrived and quickly found the woman, who was clinging to the top rail of the dam overlooking the water down below.
The officer spoke to her in a calm, reassuring voice, working to deescalate the situation. Officers Ebert and Legen arrived a short time later and joined Puglisi in engaging the woman, keeping her focused on their voices.
“Together, the three officers established communication, patiently built rapport, and earned her trust,” Corrone said.
Meanwhile, Johnson coordinated with the Monroe Fire Department and Oxford Police Department to develop a contingency rescue plan, ensuring additional resources were ready if needed.
“Through effective communication and coordinated teamwork, officers Puglisi, Ebert and Legen tactically positioned themselves, gradually closing the distance, while maintaining dialogue with her,” Corrone said. “When they were within arm’s reach, all three officers acted in unison, swiftly grabbing her and pulling her back to safety.”
A suicide note was later found inside the woman’s vehicle.
“There was little doubt that, without the decisive and compassionate actions of these officers, this young woman would not be with us today,” the captain said. “This incident stands as a powerful example of true teamwork, from Dispatcher Barton’s quick thinking and persistence on the initial call, to Sergeant Johnson’s effective coordination, to officers’ calm professionalism and coordinated physical intervention. Every member of this team played a vital role in bringing this extremely difficult situation to a successful, life-saving conclusion.”
Saved from an overdose
Officers Michael Frizinia and Antonio Tuccinardi earned Life Saving Medals for reviving a 29-year-old man, who was overdosing on February 10, 2026.
At approximately 5:03 p.m., the officers responded to the report of a possible overdose at a residence and, while en route, learned the man was unresponsive and CPR was started.
When they arrived at the home, the officers found the father performing chest compressions while on speakerphone with medical personnel. They confirmed the man was unresponsive, not breathing and had no pulse.
Frizinia took over the chest compressions, while Tuccinardi set up the automated external defibrillator (AED). The AED pads were attached to the patient, but no shock was advised.
The officers administered a dose of Narcan spray, then continued chest compressions and rescue breaths using a BVM (Bag-Valve Mask) connected to high-flow oxygen. After about five cycles of CPR, a pulse was detected and the patient was breathing on his own, though he remained unresponsive.
Monroe Volunteer Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel arrived and took over the patient’s treatment.
After another dose of Narcan, the patient’s breathing improved and he became more responsive and was taken to the hospital by the EMS.
“Officers Frizinia and Tuccinardi should be commended for their quick actions as they were integral in saving the man’s life,” Corrone said.
Medical call rescue
Officers Helder Dos Santos and Michael Frizinia received Life Saving Medals for their response to an emergency medical call on May 16, 2024.
The officers were dispatched to a Monroe residence, where a man in his 50s was unconscious and possibly having a heart attack. Frizinia arrived in less-than-two minutes with Dos Santos close behind.
Frizinia assessed the patient, who was not breathing and had no pulse, and quickly began lifesaving measures. The officers administered CPR, followed by oxygen delivered by BVM. An AED was hooked up to the patient and a shock was delivered to his heart, restoring a functioning rhythm.
Both officers continued CPR until Monroe EMS arrived and took over.
“The man was transported to the hospital and has since made a full recovery,” Corrone said. “Officers Dos Santos’ and Frizinia’s quick actions were vital in saving the resident’s life.”
Heartbeat restored
Officers Michael Phillips and Christopher Silkman received Life Saving Medals for their response to a medical call at a business on Route 111 on January 20, 2026.
At approximately 8:42 a.m., the officers were dispatched to the business, where a 50-year-old man wasn’t breathing.
Silkman arrived on the scene and confirmed the man had no pulse. Then he and Phillips began CPR and delivered a shock to the patient’s heart using an AED. Monroe EMS personnel also responded to the call. CPR was continued and a pulse was detected. Medical personnel continued ventilations until the man started breathing on his own.
Oxford EMS, accompanied by a Monroe medic, took the patient to the hospital, where he underwent further treatment and survived.
“Officers Phillips and Silkman should be commended for their quick and sustained actions as they were integral in saving the man’s life,” Corrone said.
Kitchen fire rescue
Officer Puglisi received a Life Saving Medal for rescuing an elderly woman from a kitchen fire on September 14, 2024.
At approximately 6:32 p.m., Puglisi was dispatched to a Monroe residence for an active kitchen fire. He arrived to see heavy black smoke coming from the residence and a woman in the doorway yelling that she could not get an elderly female out of the house.
Puglisi entered the burning house and found the woman lying on a sheet next to the entryway to the kitchen, which had become fully engulfed in flames, with the heat and smoke rising.
Due to medical conditions, the elderly woman was bedridden and unable to move on her own. The other woman had managed to drag her to the kitchen, but had become too exhausted. Puglisi lifted the older woman and carried her about 30 feet from the house and out of harm’s way.
“Officer Puglisi’s life-saving, swift and decisive actions assuredly kept the elderly female from sustaining any further injuries,” Corrone said. “He took control of the scene immediately upon his arrival, issuing commands to keep others safe.”
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