East Hartford Police Department Honors Outstanding Officers
Slideshow of EHPD Promotional Ceremony
2014 Awards Recaps
Promotions:
Lieutenant Dominique Corbett:
Dominique was hired on January 18, 1994. She graduated with a Masters’ Degree from Yale University and had worked for the US Embassy in Moscow translating before joining the EHPD.
She began her career in the Patrol Division and then served in CID, Evidentiary Services from 1997 – 1999. While serving in the Patrol Division in March, 2003 and on Military leave serving our country in “Operation Enduring Freedom,” Dominique was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. In 2010, Sgt. Corbett was transferred to Management Services and served in the Training Division. She was named Acting Lieutenant in Feb. 2013 and served on “C” Squad, Patrol Division. In December of 2013, she was assigned as Training Sergeant.
She has received department citations and letters from citizens and supervisors throughout the years commending her work and thanking her for a job well done.
Lieutenant Corbett has also been loaned to other departments and agencies because of her linguistic talents as she is fluent in 6 languages. Her promotion to Lieutenant was effective August 3, 2014.
Sergeant Daniel Caruso:
Dan was hired as an East Hartford Police Officer on October 1, 2001. He grew up in East Hartford and attended East Hartford High School. He was a TOPS Employee here for 5 years and left to become a Waterbury Police Officer for 6 years.
He began in the Patrol Division and then was assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division as an Investigator. In September of 2006, Dan was promoted to the rank of Detective. Detective Caruso resigned briefly in December of 2009, but returned as an Officer in July of 2010, working in the Patrol Division. In March of 2013, he was again promoted to the rank of Detective and assigned to the Criminal Investigations Bureau.
He has received numerous letters of commendation over the years from citizens, other agencies and his supervisors. Dan has been an ART Team member, a Bicycle Patrol Officer, a Firearms Training Instructor and a Field Training Officer. On August 3, 2014, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and returned to the Patrol Division, Field Operations Bureau.
Sergeant Steven Camp:
Steve was hired on December 9, 2002. Prior to joining the East Hartford Police Department he had experience in working as an Emergency Medical Technician and a Police Dispatcher and worked in the Rescue Company of the Vernon Fire Department.
He began in the Patrol Division and was selected as Officer of the Year in 2007 for his consistent efforts and meticulous perseverance in solving his cases. In March of 2010, he was assigned to the Criminal Investigations Unit as an Investigator. He was promoted to Provisional Detective in March of 2013.
He has received numerous letters of commendation over the years from citizens, other agencies and his supervisors. Steve has been an Honor Guard Member for many years. He received many commendation letters and service citations for his diligence and competence in many cases.
On August 3, 2014, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and returned to the Patrol Division, Field Operations Bureau.
Officer of the Year:
Officer Robert Rohner
Officer Robert Rohner joined the East Hartford Police Department 19 years ago. He has been assigned as part of the Community Outreach Division and has made many long lasting partnerships with the community. In 2001, he was assigned as a School Resource Officer, a position he holds today. Over the years Officer Rohner has received several commendations and accolades from peers and citizens alike. In October, 2010, Officer Rohner received the Friends of CYSA Award from East Hartford Youth Services and the Eastern Chapter of the Connecticut Youth Services Association.
He has worked with the youth of East Hartford throughout his career, both through Community Outreach and as a School Resource Officer. He has earned a reputation amongst his supervisors and peers as being enthusiastic, dedicated and thorough. He has proved to be an invaluable asset to the organization with his knowledge of the youth of our community and with the relationships he has fostered with our youth through the years. His tireless dedication to our youth and to the public safety profession is evident in all he does. He is a positive role model for the East Hartford Police Department.
Distinguished Service Citation
Officer Adam R. Aborn
Officer Stephen C. Grossi
On August 6, 2013 officers responded to a suicidal male who was agitated and armed with a knife. Officer Grossi arrived first and was confronted by the male in his driveway and ordered to drop the knife. The man refused and continued to move towards Officer Grossi and Hades threatening them. At that time Office Aborn arrived and ordered the male to stop, but he continued towards Officer Grossi. Officer Aborn then drove towards the male and knocked him to the ground to neutralize the threat of serious injury to Officer Grossi. Officer Grossi was saved and serious injury was prevented. Officers Aborn and Grossi are both awarded the Departmental Distinguished Service Citation.
Distinguished Service Citation:
Officer Thomas V. Castagna
Officer Matthew N. Engel
Officer John E. Miller
Officer Frank Iacono
On August 14, 2013, officers responded to 731 Oak Street for an active burglary when an 84 year old called after hearing glass break on the first floor of her home and hearing someone enter. Officer Miller arrived to find a breezeway door with a broken pane, heard the homeowner scream and forced entry into the home. As he did, the suspect ran out the front door where Officers Castagna, Engel and Iacono were setting up a perimeter. They were able to take him into custody. Officers Castagna, Engel, Miller and Iacono are awarded the Distinguished Service Citation for their actions in preventing a more serious crime and saving the homeowner from serious injury or death.
Life Saving Citation:
Sergeant John J. Dupont
Provisional Detective Christina Johnston
Investigator Nestor Caraballo
CSP Trooper Gordon Leslie
On the night of January 15, 2013, a serial arsonist set fire to Gateway Estates apartments. By the time we arrived the buildings were engulfed in smoke and flames.
Sergeant John Dupont, Detective Johnston and Officer Leslie (Now CSP) were on the north side and assisted in helping people who were hanging from windows and even jumping. They helped several small children who were dropped to them. They acquired a ladder to help the adults out. Investigator Caraballo was on the south side of the building helping as people jumped to the pavement below. Based on their heroic actions in what was a truly chaotic scene, Sergeant John Dupont, Officer Christina Johnston, Investigator Nestor Caraballo and CSP Trooper Gordon Leslie are awarded the East Hartford Police Department Life Saving Citation.
Meritorious Service Citation:
Investigator Nestor Caraballo
Officer Nathan R. Stebbins
Officer Lawrence W. Henrickson
Letter of Commendation:
Sergeant James Lis
Detective Jodi M. Eberl
Officer Sawyer A. Shaw
Officer Patrick C. Sullivan
On February 26, 2013, Investigator Caraballo and Officer Stebbins were dispatched to a dispute in the area of 69 Plain Drive with a report of people with bats. Ten people were fighting and it was reported someone was stabbed. Officer Stebbins arrived first and saw a vehicle trying to leave with people chasing the car yelling that the suspect in the car had stabbed someone. Then Officer Caraballo arrived and they stopped the car with the suspects including a male with blood on him who had a knife. Officers Henrickson and Shaw arrived and found the victim lying on steps covered in blood and unresponsive. He applied pressure to the man’s wounds and quick clot was used. Officer Shaw accompanied the victim to the hospital where he died. Sergeant Lis was the on-scene supervisor in this hectic, chaotic scene and assured the scene was secure as Officer Sullivan took multiple witness statements. Detective Eberl was assigned as lead Detective in this murder investigation. Due to the efforts of the Patrol Division, 3 people were arrested and she is now working with the States’ Attorney Office on this on-going case. Based on these events, Officers Caraballo, Stebbins and Henrickson are awarded the Departmental Meritorious Service Citation for their special efforts in this case. Sergeant James Lis, Detective Jodi Eberl, Officer Sawyer Shaw and Officer Patrick Sullivan are awarded a Departmental Letter of Commendation for their efforts and assistance during this chaotic homicide scene.
Letter of Commendation:
Sergeant Joseph J. Ficacelli
While an Investigator in the Hot Spot Unit, Sgt. Ficacelli developed information of a suspected drug dealer inter-acting with other dealers. As he was monitoring the suspect, he observed what may have been a drug transaction. A car stop was made and live ammunition was found as well as a controlled substance. They obtained consent to search his apartment and found pistols, rifles, a double-barrel shotgun, as well as additional ammunition and drug paraphernalia. For his efforts in removing a large amount of firearms and narcotics from the streets of East Hartford, Sergeant Ficacelli is awarded a Departmental Letter of Commendation.
Letter of Commendation:
Sergeant Daniel W. Caruso
Provisional Detective Kevin R. Lemaire
Investigator Nestor Caraballo
Officer Darrell M. Drouin
Members of the Hot Spot Unit received information regarding illegal narcotics activating taking place on Bidwell Avenue. In June and July of 2013, the unit set up surveillance and confirmed this narcotics activity. On July 24, they receive information of a delivery in the Burnside Avenue area. Investigator Caraballo positioned himself as the suspect rode on a bicycle towards Burnside. Then Detective Caruso and Detective Lemaire were able to stop the suspect. The suspect had 10 bags of heroin on him. The officers got permission to search the suspect’s home. Once there, they discovered an additional 400 packs of suspected heroin, cocaine, a digital scale and a loaded .32 caliber revolver hidden under a child’s bed. For their efforts in removing a significant amount of narcotics as well as a firearm from the streets of East Hartford, Sergeant Daniel Caruso, Detective Kevin Lemaire, Investigator Nestor Caraballo and Officer Darrell Drouin are awarded an East Hartford Police Department Letter of Commendation.
Military Veteran Citation:
Officer Carolina A. Trochez
The Military Service Citation is awarded to Officer Carolina Trochez who has been an active member of the CT Air National Guard since February, 2008. She attended the USAF School of Aerospace at Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio and the Community College of the AF at Maxwell Gunter AFB, Alabama. She is presently also an Honor Guard Member of the CT Air National Guard.