Ansonia Officer Paul Smith was on a normal patrol the night of Jan. 5, when he noticed a man had climbed over the safety railing on Bridge Street.
“I don’t want to live anymore,” the man told Officer Smith, as he approached the railing to try to coax him back over.
Then, the man slipped.
The man was able to grab the railing as he fell, and Officer Smith jumped toward him, grabbing him by his jacket and helping him climb to safety, saving his life.
Smith was one of six Ansonia police officers recognized with a life-saving award Tuesday night at the department’s annual awards ceremony.
The department and city recognized about 25 officers for their work during the ceremony, which was held at Ansonia High School.
The top honor — the Brian F. Phipps Memorial Award of Excellence — went to Officer Kristen Hunt.
The Phipps Memorial Award of Excellence is presented in honor of Police Commissioner Brian F. Phipps who proudly served on the Ansonia Police Commission for 13 years.
Phipps, a retired Brigadier General in the United States Army National Guard and a Vietnam War veteran, was a warm, honest and direct individual whose work ethic and ideals were evident to all who knew and admired him, according to the award description.
Officers who show qualities similar to Phipps — honor, loyalty, dedication, honesty and professionalism — are considered for the award.
The Awards
The night included tales of everyday courage and dedication to the community — the tasks that put officers in danger and save lives, but are often overlooked, according to police Chief Kevin Hale.
Like the dispatcher who sees a prisoner about to hang himself in his cell.
Or the officer who performs CPR on a person while they wait for an ambulance to arrive at a medical scene.
And the long-term drug investigations that help make the city safer for its residents.
Those were among dozens of stories told Tuesday night, as the officers were recognized for their hard work.
“I appreciate your professionalism and effectiveness,” Mayor James Della Volpe told the officers. “You do a great job.”
Police Commission President Nicholas Amico and Hale also thanked the officers.
Ansonia officers are “individually and collectively the best officers around, and the citizens of Ansonia should be proud,” Hale said.
“You run toward danger and uncertainty when others are running away from it,” Hale said.
Among those recognized was Detective Paul LoCicero, a 33-year veteran of the department who will retire next month.
During his time in the department, LoCicero worked on the Valley Street Crime unit, and led the investigation into the department’s largest multi-suspect drug investigation.
Shelton Police Chief Joel Hurliman also presented the Ansonia Police Department with an award, thanking them for their help during the funeral of Sgt. Orville Smith, who died after being hit by a car on duty last July.
The awards recipients are as follows:
Brian F. Phipps Memorial Award of Excellence
Officer Kristen Hunt
Distinguished Service Award
Officer Patrick Tirella
Department Citation
Det. Sgt. Patrick Lynch
Det. Paul LoCicero
Det. Gerald Tenney
Officer John Fitzgerald
Det. John Rafalowski
Det. Stephen Adcox
Officer Eric Sturges
Life Saving Award
Sgt. Randy Guisto
Officer Paul Smith
Dispatcher David Blackwell
Officer Jonathan Troesser
Officer Alexander Barriera
Dispatcher Scott Patterson
Certificate of Recognition
Det. Paul LoCicero
Years of Service Certificate
Sgt. Edward Henry
Officer William Dicicco
Officer James Frolish
Officer Matthew Macero
Officer Michael Barry
Officer Patrick Tirella
Officer Philip Landona
Officer Steve Martins
Officer Edward Magera
Officer Richard Esposito
