Bruce Knapik, the Bridgeport man who struck and killed a Shelton police officer while drunk driving in July 2010, was sentenced to three years in prison in Derby Superior Court Thursday afternoon.
Under a plea agreement worked out between prosecutors and the defendant, Knapik faced between two to four years in prison. He pleaded no contest to second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle.
It’s a sentence Judge Burton Kaplan readily acknowledged would not make everyone happy.
However, both the chief of the Shelton Police Department and the family of the late Sgt. Orville Smith walked out of court and called the sentence appropriate.
In fact, Smith’s family submitted a letter to the court asking for as little jail time as possible, according to statements made in court. A copy of the letter was not available Thursday.
“It was appropriate, given the circumstances,” Shelton Police Chief Joel Hurliman said.
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Just before he was sent to jail, Knapik, a 65-year-old diabetic in failing health, turned to face Smith’s widow, Nancy, and a dozen uniformed members of the Shelton Police Department.
He apologized.
“From the bottom of my heart, and I know this might fall on some deaf ears, but from the bottom of my heart, I was wrong,” Knapik said. “I was wrong. I accept full responsibility.”
Knapik ended his statement with: “So when you pull over a drunk, don’t give them a break. They don’t deserve it.”
The Crash
Knapik was driving drunk on July 3, 2010 when he struck Smith, who was providing traffic control on Leavenworth Road during a private fireworks display.
Edward Gavin, Knapik’s attorney, said Knapik had been drinking wine at a party while watching the fireworks. He had misplaced his eye glasses, and left the party wearing prescription sun glasses.
He struck the Shelton officer at 10:15 p.m.
Knapik’s blood alcohol content was .16 percent — more than twice the legal limit.
Smith died July 7 — 11 days short of his 40th year with the Shelton Police Department. He was 64.
Initially police thought Smith was going to pull through, but his status took a turn for the worse after a few days in the hospital.
Two Years, Four Years?
In arguing for two years instead of a maximum four years in prison, Gavin asked Judge Kaplan to take the police officer’s medical issues into consideration.
The crash left him with broken hips — but Smith also had a pre-existing heart condition, according to Gavin.
In addition, Smith had an “undiagnosed” laceration to his spleen as a result of the accident, Gavin said.
There was a debate among the medical staff as to how to treat Smith, Gavin said. The veteran officer’s spleen then ruptured, which contributed to his death, Gavin said.
The sentencing was the first time Smith’s health conditions were publicly discussed.
A framed picture of Smith sat on state’s attorney Marjorie Sozanski’s desk as she detailed Smith’s dedication to his career and his family, his decorated service in the U.S. Marine Corps during Vietnam, and his volunteer firefighter work with White Hills Fire Co. No. 5. Click here to read more about Sgt. Smith’s legacy.
Knapik will serve three years probation once released from prison. He must also complete alcohol and mental health treatment, do 25 hours of community service, and participate in a victim’s impact panel with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
Outside court, Clifford Hoyle, an Ansonia attorney representing the Smith family, said the family was satisfied with the sentence.
“She’s extremely grateful for the support of the Shelton Police Department and the community,” Hoyle said on behalf of Smith’s wife, Nancy, an Oxford resident.
“I think this finally provides closure to the family and the department,” Chief Hurliman said. “This also illustrates the dangers of driving under the influence.”
Knapik’s son, Bruce, declined comment.
