State Representative Jason Perillo (R‑Shelton) and Senator Dan Debicella (R‑Shelton) are working to honor the memory of fallen Shelton Police Sergeant Orville Smith by erecting a sign or renaming a road in his memory.
Sergeant Smith was killed in the line of duty while directing traffic at the intersection of Route 110 and Indian Well Road during a fireworks display.
Sergeant Smith was standing near a marked police cruiser with emergency lights flashing when he was struck by a vehicle, driven by an alleged drunk driver that veered onto the shoulder of the road.
Residents of the Birchbank area, who live at the bottom of Indian Well Road, suggested that Perillo and Debicella introduce legislation to name a section of Route 110 the “Sgt. Orville Smith Memorial Highway” in Officer Smith’s memory.
“Sergeant Smith displayed the very definitions of character, service and dedication during his 39 years as a Shelton Police Officer, his service to our country as a U.S. Marine and his work as a volunteer firefighter,” Rep. Perillo said. “Placing a sign in his honor is a fitting tribute to a man that gave so much for the betterment of our community.”
Senator Debicella added “I’m proud to be a part of this. It’s the least we can do to honor Sgt. Smith for his years of service to Shelton and our nation.”
According to Perillo, renaming a section of a road requires that a law be passed by the Connecticut General Assembly.
Perillo plans to draft a bill and bring it before the Transportation Committee for review in January, which is the next opportunity for new legislation to be introduced.
If the bill passes out of committee it would be introduced during the next legislative session that starts in January. Then, the bill would be called for a vote by the full House, followed by the Senate and ultimately sent to the Governor to be signed into law.
Sergeant Smith, a Vietnam Veteran of the United States Marine Corps, was on the Shelton Police Department for 39 years and was a volunteer firefighter with the Shelton Fire Department White Hills Co. No. 5.
“The loss of Sgt. Orville Smith has deeply affected the entire Shelton Police Department,” Shelton Police Chief Joel Hurliman said. “Sgt. Smith was a dedicated officer and his loss will affect the entire city.”
