Plantsville — A Waterford police officer on Thursday received a top honor during the Connecticut chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving’s 31st annual law enforcement recognition ceremony.

MADD Connecticut named Patrolman 1st Class Gil Maffeo ‘Top Cop’ during the ceremony, which took place at the Aqua Turf Club.

The 17-year veteran of the Waterford Police Department plays a large role in the state’s fight against impaired driving. A certified drug recognition expert, Maffeo has spent countless hours training officers in Connecticut and around the country to become the same.

Maffeo, who’s a member of MADD’s State Advisory Board and the Law Enforcement Advisory Committee, also adjuncts at the Connecticut Municipal Police Academy in Meriden and at Goodwin College in East Hartford.

In a news release, MADD Connecticut said Maffeo received the honor “for his support and commitment in striving to eliminate drunk driving in our state.”