Community Corner

Cheshire's Sgt. Giampetro is Top Cop

The Connecticut Chapter of MADD will honor veteran officer with Top Cop award for 25 years of support.

After more than 25 years as a police officer, dispatcher and supernumerary officer, Sgt. Philip  Giampietro spent his last day in uniform on Wednesday supervising the patrol division for the 3 to 11 p.m. shift. 

His work to prevent drunk driving, however, is not ending. According to the Cheshire Police Department, Giampietro has written more than 800 DUI citations; reportedly more than any other police officer in the state.

That diligence and his years as a volunteer for Mother's Against Drunk Driving will garner him the Connecticut MADD Top Cop award at a ceremony on June 15 in New Haven.

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"I definitely went out there in the late 80s and 90s. Early in my career there were a couple of horrific crashes. It made me sensitive. Almost from the beginning, I got involved in MADD," Giampietro, 51,  said. 

For 25 years running, Giampietro has received MADD's Connecticut Law Enforcement Award. At the June ceremony, he'll be the first officer in the state to receive a 25-year pin for receiving the award for a quarter of a century.

Find out what's happening in Cheshirewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"He has a compassion and concern for the survivors of DUI. That is an inspiration to other officers to emulate him," said Janice Heggie Margolis, executive director of Connecticut MADD in East Haven. "He's helped us for many years. Phil is retiring but he won't stop volunteering for MADD," she said.

Cheshire Police Spokesman Lt. James Fasano said Giampietro has taken younger officers and guided them in DUI enforcement. "At seat belt checks and radar posts, he stood beside them," Fasano said. 

Giampietro was recognized by the Cheshire Town Council in 2008 for his enforcement of DUI laws. He received a Certificate of Recognition "for his extraordinary leadership and dedication," the proclamation read,  "in fighting the crime of drunk driving through education and enforcement."

Giampietro has been married to his high school sweetheart, Leigh, for nearly 31 years. They have three children, Phil, Jr. who is a teacher in Milford, Brian who owns Brian's Guitars in Hamden and Michelle, who is getting her doctorate in physical therapy at the University of Scranton.

Giampietro's new job will be as a realtor for Sally Bowman Real Estate. He's been working for the office on a part-time basis and will move to a full-time position now that's he's retired from police work.  

"It's hard for me to leave here. Police are a culture like none other. It's great. I would do it all over again," Giempietro said after holding his last roll call for the evening shift. He's been the patrol supervisor for six years.

"In my capacity, I try to pass on as much knowledge as I can," he said. That includes detection and probable cause for DUI arrests. To learn more about the state's DUI statistics, click here.

"It's a simple rule: if you drink, get a ride," Giampietro said. 


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