On Nov. 8, my wife and I attended the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees Council 4 Law Enforcement Awards Dinner, “Honoring Connecticut’s Heroes” at the Aria Banquet Hall in Prospect. The purpose of the event was “to honor police and correction professionals for their dedication to public service and to raise morale, mutual respect and goodwill in the law enforcement community and beyond.” Seven Connecticut State Correction Facilities and seven Police Departments awarded 35 police members, including three from New London, for their outstanding, selfless performance in a number of situations in which their own lives were in jeopardy. The evening was a staunch reminder of how much our community so often takes these efforts for granted. These men and women leave their homes and families every day, not knowing whether they will return. In spite of that knowledge, they expend all of their energy and effort to protect all of us in the community. May we all join in offering praise for the sacrifices they make in maintaining our collective safety.

Raymond B. Johnson

Noank