Seymour recognized more than a dozen of its officers Wednesday during its second annual awards ceremony at Seymour Middle School.
The awards recognized police work in drug busts, burglary investigations and emergency response — as well as citizen contributions to the Seymour Police Department during 2011.
“Officers are put under the gun and criticized, and very rarely do you hear anyone say ‘thank you,’” Police Chief Michel Metzler said Wednesday.
“This is an opportunity to say ‘Thank You’ to people who very seldom get thanked,” Metzler said.
The department also named Sgt. Stephen Prajer as its Police Officer of the Year.
Sgt. Prajer “Always presents himself as a gentleman, a true professional,” said retired officer James Martin, who announced the awards Wednesday.
Other officers who were recognized were:
Det. Sgt. Ronald Goodmaster
Sgt. John D’Antona
Sgt. Stephen Prajer
Sgt. David Parratt
Det. Louis Yustin
Det. Scott Nihill
Det. Steven Ditria
Det. Brian Anderson
Youth Officer Joseph DeNigris
Officer John Cronin
Officer Thomas Scharf, II
Officer Meredith Shook
Officer Sergio Desiderato
Officer Kevin Miceli
Officer Donald Scheithe
Officer Anthony Renaldi
The department also gave letters of commendation to the following officers:
Sgt. Stephen Prajer
Sgt. David Parratt
Sgt. Thomas Bennett
Det. Brian Marino
Youth Officer Joseph DeNigris
Officer Thomas Scharf, II
Officer Todd Romagna
Officer James Duda
Officer Kevin Miceli
Officer Michael Santanelli
Officer Michael Fappiano
Officer Donald Scheithe
Officer John Oczkowski
Officer Anthony Renaldi
Officer Michael Witek
Officer Al Cronin
Officer Carmine Verno
The awards were given for incidents including a police standoff in September, a drug bust in March, the recovery of stolen ATVs and other items, as well as the apprehension of a suspected burglar after a car chase.
The Seymour Police Department also gave a citizen award to Colin Driscoll, who led police to a suspected home burglar in December.
The department also recognized the following businesses for their donated services and goods during the year:
Dunkin’ Donuts
Stop & Shop Supermarket
Subway Sandwich Shop
