Michael J. Spellman of Pawcatuck, a former Stonington selectman and current chief of police in the city of Groton, will be honored in June as the Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce 2019 Citizen of the Year.

“Mike has always been very proud of his community and a staunch advocate for Pawcatuck,” said the Ocean Community Chamber in a release.

Among the volunteer efforts Spellman was cited for include serving as a volunteer coach for the Groton Mystic Falcons Football League, a member of the Permanent Columbus Day Parade Committee, a mentor for Westerly Public Schools and a judge for the Mystic Irish Parade. He led a coat drive and fundraiser at CC O’Briens Café in 2015 to secure funds for a walk-in freezer at the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center and served as a member of the West Broad Street School Use Committee.

Among his career highlights, Spellman was the resident state trooper in East Lyme in the 1990s and later was a detective in the Eastern District Major Crime Criminal Investigative Unit at both Troop K and Troop E. After service in the Connecticut State Police Internal Affairs Unit in Meriden, Spellman was transferred back to Troop O as its executive officer and later became commanding officer of the Casino Unit.

In 2011, he was named commanding officer of Statewide Narcotics East, finally retiring after 24 years of service with five Outstanding Service medals and three Unit Citations.

After retiring, he joined the City of Groton as a patrolman in 2014 and two years later was cited for his life saving efforts to aid an elderly woman during a water rescue.

Two years later, he was named chief of police and emergency management director in Groton City. He has worked to create awareness about autism with a certified training program now mandatory for all city officers.

In Groton, Spellman has supported Special Olympics and the United Way Food Pantry, among other organizations.

His three years as Stonington selectman from 2014-2017 were noteworthy for his donation of his salary as a public official to the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center. He also worked on the Bricks and Murals art program connecting Stonington and Westerly and helped push internet service into downtown Pawcatuck.

In congressional testimony, he supported the Stonington fishing fleet, and his support of Scenic River Status for the Wood Pawcatuck Watershed Association eventually led to it receiving national designation.

Spellman has been married to the former Heather Buffinton for 28 years and is the father of two children.

The Citizen of the Year award was established in 1957 to recognize outstanding leadership and exceptional contributions to the Westerly-Pawcatuck community.

“Mike is an exceptional community leader,” said Beth Frenette, chair of Chamber board. “He is known as a dynamic, thoughtful and generous leader who believes passionately in giving back”

Spellman will be honored with a dinner at 6 p.m. June 19 at Venice restaurant in Westerly. Tickets for the annual dinner are $75. Corporate tables of 10 that include an ad in the event program are available for $1,000. For information, call (401) 596-7761.

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