Ledyard ― While the state mourned the slaying of two Bristol police officers in October, Naomi Rodriguez was on the phone with a friend.

Rodriguez, a Ledyard town councilor, told her friend, “We should do something,”

“What if that had happened here in Ledyard?” Rodriguez said Sunday. “That would have been so traumatic.“

And so on Sunday, some four months later, the community collaborated with the Ledyard Police Department to put on Law Enforcement Awards & Appreciation Day at United Methodist Church of Gales Ferry. It was a way to say thank you to the men and women who protect the community.

“Because it’s organic and coming from the community, that’s why it’s so special,” Chief John Rich said prior to the ceremony. “It’s an incredible gesture of support.”

Local restaurants and community organizations donated food, time and resources to put on the event. A full pizza and pasta dinner was served to friends and family of the department, while gift baskets with gift cards to local businesses and personalized mugs were handed out to each member of the department, including the dispatchers.

While it was the community’s effort to honor the department, Rich used the event as an opportunity to also award five officers Medals for Meritorious Service and Distinguished Service Awards.

“The nature of our business is super fast paced,” Rich said. “It’s very rare to hear a thank you in law enforcement and as a department we try to recognize our people and give them formal recognition when they do these really dangerous, heroic acts in the line of duty.”

Rich called it a “hallmark” of the department to formally recognize its officers.

Rich explained that “meritorious” has “very specific criteria” and involves the protection of life, recovery of property and apprehension of an armed and dangerous person. He said “distinguished” is just a step below and it doesn’t “fit neatly” into one of the other categories. Rich said it is action worthy of a department award and recognition and is generally about overall excellence.

Rich and Capt. Ken Cruetz presented Officer First Class Gary Butters and Officer Taylor Krajewski awards for their meritorious service. Krajewski was not able to attend the ceremony.

On Aug. 8 of last year at 2:36 a.m., Krajewski and Butters responded to a radio call from their posts took part in a state police pursuit of a stolen vehicle from North Stonington. While Krajewski was in the pursuit, Butters was able to deploy stop sticks to deflate the car’s tires. Butters and state police apprehended one suspect at the stopped car, while Krajewski and others chased after the two suspects who left on foot. The two suspects were arrested after a three-tenths of a mile chase into the woods and over a chain-link fence. A loaded handgun and a backpack were recovered.

“Sometimes they don’t get the appreciation that they deserve,” Rodriguez said. “They put their lives on the line”

Sgt. Eric Bushor also recieved an award for his meritorious service, while Sgt. William Beeler, Detective Christopher Cadro and Officer First Class Kyle Long were recognized for their distinguished service.

The four members of the department were recognized for their involvement with in a call from June 2021. A resident reported that he could see a car and a burglary in progress on his security cameras. Long saw four people in the car, so he and Beeler remained at the vehicle while Bushor approached the residence though the back yard.

Bushor encountered a male with a handgun, a backpack and a mask, and he immediately dropped his weapon when told to. Cadro arrived to assist. They were able to recover all the clothing that the resident reported missing, as well as an airsoft pistol. All five subjects were arrested and charged with burglary, larceny and interfering with an officer.

State Sen. Cathy Osten, D-Sprague, and state Rep. Greg Howard, R-Stonington, were also present to award citations from the state capital to the officers.

“I’m eternally thankful for the men and women in blue and he families that support them,” Mayor Fred Allyn III said in his opening remarks. “We are a country of law and order, and it is critically important now more than ever. People need to share that.”

Rich and the department also took the opportunity to honor their two chaplains, who had been with the department for about a year. He said they waited for the uniforms to come in, “and now today, everything comes together.”

The Rev. James D. Guillory, who delivered the opening invocation, and the Rev. Robert Petriel, who offered a closing benediction, were officially recognized and sworn in as chaplains for the department.

“I appreciate the opportunity to serve,” Guillory said to the crowd. “That’s all I want to do. I just want to serve.”

“I never expected to ever be a chaplain in a police department,” Petriel said, as he recalled why he wanted to serve and the importance of the role. “As a youngster, I was used to running from the police department.”

Following the presentation of colors, the Girl Scouts from Great Oak Service Unit were on hand to lead the pledge of allegiance to open the ceremony. Rodriguez and the rest of the organization committee welcomed guests to the event.

Carol Christiansen, with Kathleen Bartkowski on piano, sang “God Bless America.” Bartkowski concluded the event with a piano solo before Rich’s closing remarks.

“Incredible,” Rich said of the event. “It’s really gratifying.”

k.arnold@theday.com