These annual awards are chosen from line of duty deployments submitted by Connecticut police canine teams that exemplify the highest tradition of police canine law enforcement.  The award plaque honoring Officer Daniel Wasson and the winners of this prestigious award, hangs proudly in the lobby of the Connecticut Police Academy in Meriden, Connecticut.

The Daniel Wasson Memorial K-9 Award Nomination Committee for the year 2009 consisted of President of the CPWDA and Master Trainer, Bill Nott of the Ledyard Police Department, Master Trainer, Sergeant Bill Scribner of the New Milford Police Department and Master Trainer Mike Ravenelle of the Ledyard Police Department who selected the award recipient and two honorable mention recipients from nominations received throughout our state.

This year the selection committee has unanimously selected Officer Todd Mona and his K-9 Partner "Primo", of the East Hartford Police Department, as the recipient of the 2009 Daniel Wasson Memorial K-9 Award. This year’s honorable mention recipients are: First runner up, Officer Tamra P. French and her K-9 Partner "Chase" of the Easton Police Department and second runner up is Officer Joseph P. Capodiferro and his K-9 Partner "Drak" of the Farmington  Police Department.

First Runner Up

Officer Tamra P. French & K-9 Partner "Chase"

Easton Police Department

On March 29, 2009 Officer Tamra French was on patrol with K9 Chase working a midnight overtime shift.  K9 Chase had broken two vertebrae in his tail the week prior and was only supposed to be along for the ride.  At approximately 2:25am a 911 call was received from a residence on Eden Hill Rd in Easton.  The call was determined to be a possible domestic and/or assault in progress.  Monroe Police Department also received a 911 call from the same residence with screaming being heard in the background.

Officer Jay Festa and K9 Officer French were dispatched to the residence and upon arriving on scene it was initially determined that one victim was assaulted with a knife.  The accused  came running downstairs in an aggressive manner, yelling and screaming with a white powdery substance under his nose and on his lips.  Officer Festa attempted to go upstairs to search for any other injured parties when the accused  tackled and attacked him.  Officer French attempted to subdue him and a violent struggle ensued.  He was kicking and punching both officers and attempted to remove Officer Festa’s gun from his holster.  Both officers radioed for mutual aid assistance from surrounding departments as Officer Festa and Officer French were the only officers on duty.  After Officer Festa sprayed him with OC spray and it had no effect, Officer French went and got K9 Chase.  K9 Chase was deployed and while he was apprehending him he was repeatedly kicked and punched, but did not let go.  After several minutes of both officers and K9 Chase fighting with him, they made the decision to back out of the residence and wait for additional officers.

The accused came outside and K9 Chase was deployed again.  The violent struggle continued and he continued to kick and punch all officers on scene.  Officers from Monroe and Newtown Police Departments arrived on scene and assisted in taking him into custody.  As officers brought him to the ground he grabbed one of Officer French’s legs and continually bit her leg.  As the officers tasered and attempted handcuffing him, K9 Chase continued to engage him.  Even while five officers were struggling with him in the dark, K9 Chase never took his focus off him and did not bite any fellow officers.  Despite being handcuffed and shackled at the legs he continued to act violently by spitting and kicking at police and EMS personnel.

Officer Festa suffered multiple facial and head injuries.  Officer French suffered multiple facial and head injuries and a serious bite wound to her shin.  Officer French was treated by various medical specialists for her injuries and was off duty for six months.  K9 Chase was treated for bruised ribs and back.  Several months later K9 Chase continued to have back pain and a MRI was done which found he received four herniated discs.

It was determined that the accused was under the influence of narcotics, including Meth-Amphetamine.  He has a criminal history dating back to 1995 including crimes of burglary, narcotic charges, assaults, weapon charges, threatening, reckless endangerment, etc.  On September 11, 2009, the accused entered a plea of guilty for the assault charges against Officer Festa and Officer French and was sentenced to a term of eight years in prison along with another five years for violating his probation. 

Based on the aforementioned, Officer French and her K9 partner Chase won the 2009 Daniel Wasson Memorial K-9 1^st runner-up Award.  

Second Runner Up

Officer Joseph  P. Capodiferro & K-9 Partner "Drak"

Farmington Police Department

On June 2, 2009, two suspects robbed Webster Bank in Bristol, CT.  The suspects fled in a van towards Farmington on Route 6. Bristol Police radioed an all-points – bulletin  to surrounding towns. Shortly thereafter a Farmington officer located the suspects as they were driving east on Route 6. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle but the suspects refused to stop, and engaged him in pursuit. One of the suspects fired several shots at the pursuing officer while on Route 6. 

The suspects turned down a narrow, winding road, with an officer still in pursuit. The officer lost sight of the suspects temporarily on the winding road. Unbeknown to the officer at the time, one of the suspects had gotten out of the van and fled into the woods. As the officer rounded the corner he encountered the remaining suspect, who had stopped in the middle of the road to wait for the officer. The suspect opened fire on the officer, who had to back out of harms way.  The suspect fled again in the van and the officer continued his pursuit. 

A miss Porters Security Officer saw the suspect dump the van behind the building on Mountain Road and run on foot in a easterly direction. Dozens of officers from multiple towns responded to the area, setting up a perimeters, locking down schools, and searching for the suspects. 

Officer Capodiferro and K-9 Drak began to search for the suspect. K-9 Drak committed to a scent and followed it up a steep ledge embankment, into the backyard of a private residence, and up the driveway to the garage. Officers saw that the garage door to the residence was open. There was a vehicle parked in the garage with the drivers door open. Officers did not realize yet that one of the armed suspects had taken an elderly female hostage in the house. 

As officers began a search of the residence they heard a male yell from a bathroom. Then they heard a female yell that the man had a gun. The man yelled back that he did not have a gun. Officers ordered the man out of the bathroom at gunpoint and was taken into custody without further incident. Officers recovered an empty 9mm handgun in the bathroom. This was the same gun used toi fire at pursuing officers. Further investigation revealed that the suspect had forced the elderly female resident into her home from the garage. He forced her to provide him with clothing and money and was going to steal her vehicle. The suspect had a lengthy violent history including prior bank robberies. They strongly believe that had the suspect had not run out of ammunition, he would have continued with his violent crime spree. 

Later in the evening the second suspect was taken into custody. Officer Capodiffero and K-9 Drak concluded a reverse track in the area where the second suspect was found. K-9 Drak comminted to a scent and led officers to an area where items of evidence hidden by the suspects were recovered. This included the money stolen from the Bristol Bank. 

It is because of Officer Capodiffero and K-9 Drak’s bravery, professionalism, and skills that a dangerous felon was quickly captured, an innocent civilian escaped injury or death, and crital evidence recovered. In recognition of their bravery, professionalism, and dedication to service to the Town of Farmington, the Town Council issued a proclamation and the City of Bristol Mayor presented them with a letter of gratitude.

Based on the aforementioned, Officer Capodiferro and his K9 partner Drak won the 2009 Daniel Wasson Memorial K-9 2^nd runner-up Award.