June 5, 2006

During remarks at DEP Marine Headquarters in Old Lyme, Commissioner McCarthy said, "Today we honor those EnCon officers who day after day perform their civic duties with courage, enthusiasm and a great sense of dedication for the well being of every individual. I speak for the State of Connecticut when I say that we are privileged to have such men and women so diligently serving as stewards of not only our personal safety but also to that of our environment."

"We are also here," the Commissioner said, "to showcase increased capabilities we have to protect public and our state with two new vessels we have commissioned to patrol our water. These two vessels provide our Environmental Conservation Police Officers with the additional tools they need to enforce state and federal Marine Fisheries regulations, boating safety laws, and to augment Homeland Security patrols."

The awards presented by the Commissioner included:

 ● Medal for Meritorious Service, awarded to any officer who renders service beyond the ordinary course of duty with alertness, perseverance, or timely judgment in the performance of a difficult task which results in the recovery of stolen property, the prevention or solving of a major crime, or the apprehension of an armed or dangerous person.

 ● Officers receiving Medals for Meritorious Service were Officer Edward Yescott of Burlington, Officer Matthew Tomassone of Goshen and Officer Paul Hilli also of Goshen. A Medal for Meritorious Service award bar with 2 gold stars will be permanently displayed on each officer’s uniform.

 ● The Medal for Achievement is awarded to any officer who performs extraordinary service above and beyond that which would be considered routine law enforcement activity. This accomplishment may be distinguished through a noteworthy investigation or exceptional performance in law enforcement.

 ● Officers receiving Medals for Achievement were Officer Paul Hilli of Goshen, Special Conservation Officer Foster Clarke of Cheshire, Officer Peter McGinn of Hamden, and Officer Christopher Dwyer of Columbia. A Medal for Achievement award bar with one gold star will be permanently displayed on each officer’s uniform.

 ● 2006 Environmental Conservation Police Officer of the Year, an honor bestowed upon an officer by his or her fellow officers based upon their dedication, enthusiasm, extensive knowledge, and exemplary performance. Two Citations of Achievement were also awarded to officers nominated as Environmental Conservation Police Officer of the Year.

 ● The 2006 Environmental Conservation Police Officer of the Year was Officer James Kane of Waterford. Officer Joseph Ruggiero of North Branford and Sergeant James Warren of Stratford, received the Citations of Achievement.

 ● Boating Enforcement Officer of the Year award, developed by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), recognizes and honors outstanding service to recreational boating. This award symbolizes the highest level of achievement among boating law enforcement officers in the United States.

 ● The officer receiving the 2006 NASBLA Officer of the Year award was Officer Tate Begley of Cornwall.

Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police Officers are a force of 54 fully certified police officers that perform a full range of law enforcement duties throughout the state. Those duties include patrolling all navigable waters of the state and all state park and forest lands to enforce state laws, as well as enforcing all state fish and game regulations.

The two new vessels dedicated today will enhance the agency’s patrol capabilities for Boating Safety, Marine Fisheries Enforcement, and Homeland Security. One vessel is a 27-foot all-weather "SafeBoat" that is powered by twin 225-HP Mercury Optimax outboards. The other is a 2005 42-foot "Wesmac" commercial vessel powered by a 700-HP diesel engine. Both vessels will be equipped with state-of-the-art electronic, navigational equipment, and radiation dosimeters designed by the DEP Division of Radiation.

A list of the Environmental Conservation Officers honored and a description of their accomplishments are below.

2006 Conservation Officer Awards Information

The Medal for Meritorious Service

The Medal for Meritorious Service is awarded to any officer who renders service beyond the ordinary course of duty with alertness, perseverance, or timely judgment in the performance of a difficult task which results in the recovery of stolen property, the prevention or solving of a major crime, or the apprehension of an armed or dangerous person.

Officer Paul Hilli
Hometown: Goshen
District: Western
Area Covered: Litchfield County
Became a Conservation Officer April 1, 1994

On July 26, 2005, Connecticut State Troopers (CSP) from Troop B responded to a residence in Goshen for a reported missing person. It was reported by the Troopers that the missing person, a 19 year-old male, had argued with his girlfriend, was under the influence of the narcotic PCP and was probably suicidal.

EnCon Police Officers Paul Hilli and Matt Tomassone were on patrol in the area and were aware of the missing person. Due to their extensive knowledge of the area, Officers Hilli and Tomassone were able to locate the subject after the CSP had suspended their search. Officers Hilli and Tomassone were able to take the subject into protective custody until members of the CSP arrived. Due to their alertness, perseverance, and timely judgment, Officers Hilli and Tomassone located the subject and protected him from harm until he could be transferred to a medical facility.

Officer Edward Yescott
Hometown: Burlington
District: Eastern
Area Covered: Hartford County
Became a Conservation Officer May 28, 1999

While off duty in his assigned state vehicle on November 27, 2005, EnCon Police Officer Edward Yescott monitored a radio dispatch from CSP Troop L that several Troopers were being sent to the scene of a reported armed robbery. A small white vehicle with two males armed with a knife, were reported to have fled the scene. The vehicle was reported to be traveling east on Route 4. Several minutes later, Officer Yescott observed the vehicle traveling north on Route 179 toward Collinsville. Officer Yescott notified Troop L he had located the vehicle and was pursuing. Upon reaching Collinsville, the vehicle went straight on Torrington Road, which Officer Yescott knew was a dead end. At some point the occupants realized they were being pursued and pulled into a private driveway. Office Yescott blocked the exit of the driveway and ordered the occupants to exit their vehicle. Officer Yescott held the occupants of the vehicle until local and state police officers arrived. Due to Officer Yescott’s alertness, knowledge of his patrol zone, and timely judgment, he was instrumental in the apprehension of two armed suspects.

Officer Matthew Tomassone
Hometown: Goshen
District: Western
Area Covered: Hartford County
Became a Conservation Officer August 30, 1994

On July 26, 2005, Connecticut State Troopers (CSP) from Troop B responded to a residence in Goshen for a reported missing person. It was reported by the Troopers that the missing person, a 19 year-old male, had argued with his girlfriend, was under the influence of the narcotic PCP and was probably suicidal. EnCon Police Officers Matt Tomassone and Paul Hilli were on patrol in the area and were aware of the missing person. Due to their extensive knowledge of the area, Officers Tomassone and Hilli and were able to locate the subject after the CSP had suspended their search. Officers Tomassone and Hilli were able to take the subject into protective custody until members of the CSP arrived. Due to their alertness, perseverance, and timely judgment, Officers Tomassone and Hilli located the subject and protected him from harm until he could be transferred to a medical facility.

The Medal for Achievement

The Medal of Achievement is awarded to any officer who performs extraordinary service above and beyond that which would be considered routine law enforcement activity. This accomplishment may be distinguished through a noteworthy investigation or exceptional performance in law enforcement.

Officer Paul Hilli
Hometown: Goshen
District: Western
Area Covered: Litchfield County
Became a Conservation Officer April 1, 1994

On August 3, 2005, EnCon Police Officer Paul Hilli obtained information from a confidential informant that a person living at a residence in Goshen was growing marijuana in the backyard of the residence. Officer Hilli contacted Trooper Edward Capowich of the CSP Troop B and relayed the information supplied by the informant. On August 3, 2005, Officer Hilli and Trooper Capowich conducted a surveillance of the property and observed what appeared to be marijuana growing in the yard to the rear of the house. On August 7, 2005, Officer Hilli, Trooper Capowich and other members of the Connecticut EnCon Police and CSP executed a search and seizure warrant recovering 17 marijuana plants, a package of marijuana seeds, a quantity of packaged marijuana seeds and assorted drug paraphernalia. When questioned, the suspect admitted the marijuana was his. Due to his intimate knowledge of his patrol zone and contacts with local individuals, Officer Hilli was instrumental in the seizure of the marijuana and the arrest of the suspect.

Officer Peter McGinn
Hometown: Hamden
District: Western
Area Covered: New Haven County
Became a Conservation Officer March 1, 1994

During the last week of May 2005 there were nine reported burglaries of parked vehicles in and around the Lake Wintergreen/West Rock State Park area in Hamden. During that same period, the Hamden and New Haven Police Departments had received the same complaints on private properties in their respective towns. On May 30, 2005, EnCon Police Officers Peter McGinn and Chris Dwyer, along with Special Conservation Officer Foster Clarke, setup surveillance of the parking area at Lake Wintergreen where they observed a suspect exit a vehicle, approach a parked car, break the window of the car, and remove a pocketbook. When approached by Officer Dwyer, the subject attempted to flee through the woods but was apprehended after a short foot chase by Officers McGinn and Clarke.

Officer Dwyer meanwhile apprehended the accused female accomplice, who had dropped him off. When the accused was taken into custody and searched, drug paraphernalia was discovered. After the arrest, it was found that Hamden and New Haven police departments believed the accused was the prime suspect into a crime spree throughout their towns. Officer McGinn’s attention to duty and dedicated efforts resulted in the apprehension of a suspect accused of committing numerous felonies.

Officer Christopher Dwyer
Hometown: Columbia
District: Western
Area Covered: New Haven County
Became a Conservation Officer January 14, 2000

During the last week of May 2005 there were nine reported burglaries of parked vehicles in and around the Lake Wintergreen/West Rock State Park area in Hamden. During that same period, the Hamden and New Haven Police Departments had received the same complaints on private properties in their respective towns. On May 30, 2005, EnCon Police Officers Chris Dwyer and Peter McGinn, along with Special Conservation Officer Foster Clarke, setup surveillance of the parking area at Lake Wintergreen where they observed a suspect exit a vehicle, approach a parked car, break the window of the car, and remove a pocketbook. When approached by Officer Dwyer, the subject attempted to flee through the woods but was apprehended after a short foot chase by Officers McGinn and Clarke. Officer Dwyer meanwhile apprehended the accused female accomplice, who had dropped him off. When the accused was taken into custody and searched, drug paraphernalia was discovered. After the arrest, it was found that Hamden and New Haven police departments believed the accused was the prime suspect into a crime spree throughout their towns. Officer Dwyer’s attention to duty and dedicated efforts resulted in the apprehension of a suspect accused of committing numerous felonies.

Special Conservation Officer Foster Clarke, Retired
Hometown: Cheshire

During the last week of May 2005 there were nine reported burglaries of parked vehicles in and around the Lake Wintergreen/West Rock State Park area in Hamden. During that same period, the Hamden and New Haven Police Departments had received the same complaints on private properties in their respective towns. On May 30, 2005, Special Conservation Officer Foster Clarke, along with EnCon Police Officers Chris Dwyer and Peter McGinn, setup surveillance of the parking area at Lake Wintergreen where they observed a suspect exit a vehicle, approach a parked car, break the window of the car, and remove a pocketbook. When approached by Officer Dwyer, the subject attempted to flee through the woods but was apprehended after a short foot chase by Officers McGinn and Clarke.

Officer Dwyer meanwhile apprehended the accuser’s female accomplice, who had dropped him off. When the accused was taken into custody and searched, drug paraphernalia was discovered. After the arrest, it was found that Hamden and New Haven police departments believed the accused was the prime suspect into a crime spree throughout their towns. Officer Clarke’s attention to duty and dedicated efforts resulted in the apprehension of a suspect accused of committing numerous felonies.

National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) Boating Enforcement Officer of the Year

The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) has developed the Boating Enforcement Officer of the Year award to recognize and honor outstanding service to recreational boating. This award symbolizes the highest level of achievement among boating law enforcement officers in the United States. The officer receiving the 2006 NASBLA Officer of the Year award was Officer Tate Begley of Cornwall.

Officer Tate Begley
Hometown: Cornwall
District: Western
Area Covered: New Haven County
Became a Conservation Officer January 14, 2000

On June 27, 2004,, Conservation Enforcement Officer Tate Begley was working the Candlewood Lake Fireworks detail. At approximately 10:30 p.m., Officer Begley and other Conservation Enforcement Officers that were working the detail responded to a report of a boating accident on the lake in the town of Brookfield. Upon arriving at the scene, Officer Begley found that a 20 ft. ski boat had collided with a 20 ft. pontoon boat and the operator of the ski boat was attempting to leave the scene. It was also reported that the operator of the ski boat had assaulted the operator of the pontoon boat. Officer Begley stopped the operator of the ski boat and the operator attempted to assault Officer Begley. While Officer Begley was taking the operator into custody, two of the operator’s family members attempted to interfere with the arrest and other officers had to restrain and arrest those individuals. The operator of the ski boat was initially charged with Breach of Peace, Interfering with an Officer and Assault in the Third Degree. Officer Begley’s investigation of the boating accident subsequently resulted in numerous boating charges being filed against the operator of the ski boat including Reckless Boating in the First Degree and Reckless Boating in the First Degree While Under the Influence.

Citation of Achievement

To recognize the achievement of being nominated for the Environmental Conservation Police Officer of the Year Award, the Citation of Achievement is awarded to all officers nominated. This year the award was presented to Officer Joseph Ruggiero and Sergeant James Warren.

Officer Joseph Ruggiero
Hometown: North Branford
District: Eastern
Area Covered: Middlesex County
Became a Conservation Officer April 1, 1994

Officer Ruggiero is an eleven-year veteran of the DEP assigned to Southeast Sector 1 of the Eastern District. Officer Ruggiero has shown himself to be a dedicated officer and is always willing to take on assignments with great enthusiasm. This year, Officer Ruggiero took enforcement action on fifteen hunting and sixteen fishing violations. He participated in numerous arrests for illegal possession of alcohol and narcotics. Officer Ruggiero exhibits a high degree of professionalism and is well respected by his peers.

Sergeant James Warren
Hometown: Stratford
District: Western
Supervises: Lake Patrol Officers
Became a Conservation Officer March 25, 1988

Sergeant James Warren has supervised the Lake Patrol Officer (LPO) Program for the past three years. In addition to the LPOs, Sergeant Warren supervises three Special Conservation Officers assigned to Candlewood Lake and is responsible for supervising and coordinating training for the only two statewide specialty units in the Division, the Boating Accident Reconstruction Unit and the Chemical Immobilization Team. As the supervisor of the Boating Accident Reconstruction Unit, Sergeant Warren coordinates the investigations of accidents usually involving serious or fatal injuries. As the supervisor of the Chemical Immobilization Team, Sergeant Warren has developed an extensive knowledge of the techniques necessary to safely immobilize and revive various wildlife species. Sergeant Warren maintains a positive attitude and understanding of the Division’s mission and operational capabilities.

Environmental Conservation Police Officer of the Year

The Honor of State Environmental Conservation Police Officer of the Year is awarded to an officer who is nominated by their district and then voted upon by all of the Conservation Officers statewide. The award is based on dedication, enthusiasm, extensive knowledge of Conservation Law Enforcement as well as a rounded knowledge of wildlife management and exemplary performance.

The officer awarded the Environmental Conservation Police Officer of the Year is James Kane of Waterford. He became a Conservation Officer on January 15, 1999 and is currently assigned to the East Marine District.

Officer Kane is a six-year veteran of the the Division of State Environmental Conservation Police and has worked for the DEP for more than twenty years. An extremely self-motivated officer, Office Kane has become one of the Marine District’s leading officers. He consistently makes numerous arrests for commercial and recreational fishing violations every year. In January 2005, Officer Kane attended the month-long Marine Law Enforcement Training Program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Georgia. In August 2004, Officer Kane responded with other Conservation Officers to a medical call off Westerly, Rhode Island. Officer Kane found a subject suffering a heart attack and performed CPR on the person all the way to shore where they were met by an ambulance. For his efforts he was awarded the Department’s Life Saving Award. Officer Kane frequently participates in All Terrain Vehicle patrols, investigates numerous boating accidents, is a member of the bicycle patrol team, and the Chemical Immobilization Team.