Community Corner
Cheshire Police Cadet Among Graduates of Academy
Fourteen officers were sworn in Friday night in Milford.
After 29 weeks of training the Cheshire Police Department's newest member, Kevin Costa has graduated from the academy along with 13 other cadets.
The Friday night swearing-in ceremony at the Parsons Government Center in Milford began with a procession of the Milford Police Honor Guard and the Milford Fire Department Pipes & Drum Corps. Officer Donald C. McCollum presented the graduating class.
"Twenty-nine weeks of classroom academics is equivalent to two years of full- time college," said Milford Police Chief Keith L. Mello."You've been tested mentally and physically, but the real test comes when you are behind the badge. In many respects, you are the face of our community," the chief said.
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Mello also took the time to acknowledge the other towns' police chiefs in attendance: Cheshire Police Chief Neil Dryfe, Monroe Chief John L Salvatore, and Fairfield Chief Gary MacNamara.
Costa's gradation is the first under Dryfe's watch since becoming chief in January.
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"You have chosen service over self," State's Attorney Kevin D. Lawlor told the graduates. "Use your authority cautiously and wisely and remember there is never a wrong time to do the right thing."
Mello presented the officers with their diplomas. Badges were pinned on.
Milford Police graduates are: Emily Covelli, Maria Frey, Luke Holder, Colin Lacey, Alfred Mauro III, Edward O'Keefe, Jr., Sean Owens, Joseph Sikorsky and Thomas Wardowski.
There were three Fairfield graduates: Michael Clark, Jason Kline and Michael Stahl, Jr. Michael Panza was a graduate from Monroe.
A special slideshow presentation was shown in memory of Daniel Scott Wasson, an officer who was killed in the line of duty in 1987. His brother, Ray Wasson, was on stage to present the Officer Daniel Scott Wasson Memorial Award to Holder.
"I've always wanted to serve my community and after 9/11, I joined the United States Marine Corps and served two deployments," Holder, 29, said. "In some respects, (the Police Academy) was tougher than the Marine training and there was a heavy academic load," he added.
