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2022 Wasson Memorial Award Winners Announced! In 1993, The Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, in cooperation with the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc., established "The Daniel Wasson Memorial Canine Award". Officer Wasson was a Milford, Connecticut Police Canine Officer who was shot and killed in the line of duty. Officer Wasson made the ultimate sacrifice; it is in his memory that these awards are given each year. 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 C.P.W.D.A. Award Nomination Committee reviewed all entries for the 2023 Daniel Wasson Memorial K-9 Award. CPWDA committee selected the award recipients from nominations received throughout our state. This year the selection committee has unanimously selected Officer Mathew Bloom and his K-9 Koda, of the Middletown Police Department, as the winner of the 2023 Daniel Wasson Memorial K-9 Award. This year's honorable mention recipients are: First runner up was Officer Donoto Palma K9 Enzo of the East Haven Police Department. Second runner up, Officer Joseph Perrotti and K-9 Sandler of the New Haven Police Department. C.P.W.D.A. Detection Award was awarded to Sergeant Francisco Sanchez and K9 Farley of the New Haven Police Department. C.P.W.D.A. Tracking Award was awarded to Officer Joseph Staffieri of the New Haven Police Department. 2023 Winner
Middletown Police Department
On December 30, 2023 Officer Bloom and K9 Koda, (on their last shift together before K9 Koda’s retirement on January 1, 2024) responded to a reported Home Invasion in progress in the City of Middletown. While enroute to the home they located the suspect vehicle fleeing the area. The suspect vehicle was engaged in a high-speed pursuit which ended in the suspects crashing their vehicle. The suspect fled on foot. K9 Koda was released from the car and apprehended on of the suspects who was in possession of a handgun. The handgun was later determined to have been stolen from the victim’s home. All suspect were apprehended and taken into custody form the incident.
2023 1ST Runner Up Officer Donoto F. Palma & K-9 Enzo East Haven Police Department
Officer Palma and K9 Enzo responded to a neighboring jurisdiction to assist with locating a domestic violence suspect. The male suspect was reported to have violently assaulted his girlfriend multiple times including striking her in the face with a handgun. The prior convicted felon suspect was last seen fleeing the rear door of the residence still in possession of the handgun. Officer Palma and K9 Enzo began tracking the suspect out of the back door and tracked to the rear of a residence several houses down. TK9 Enzo then began indicating to the presence of human odor near a large pile of debris. The suspect was located in the pile and was taken into custody without incidence. Without the use of Police Service Dog Enzo, the suspect would not have been located.
2023 2nd Runner Up Officer Joseph A. Perrotti & K9 SandlerNew Haven Police Department
On May 11, 2023 Officer Perrotti and K9 Sandler assisted other Officers with attempting to stop a stolen motor vehicle. The vehicle failed to stop for Officers and was followed for a short time. The vehicle was then abandoned by its occupants who fled on foot. Officer Perrotti observed one of the males described by others Officers fleeing the scene with a mask on. He then deployed K9 Sandler and gave chase after the suspect. The suspect was given numerous verbal warnings to stop which were ignored. K9 Sandler was deployed and apprehended the suspect in an alley. The suspect was carrying a cross chest bag that is known to be used to conceal weapons. Once other Officer arrived on scene the suspect was handcuffed. The cross-chest bag was located and a 9mm handgun and high-capacity magazines were located. If not for the deployment of K9 Sandler the suspect would not have been apprehended.
2023 Detection Award Sergeant Francisco F. Sanchez & K9 Farley New Haven Police Department
Sergeant Sanchez and his K9 partner Farley were called to the greater New Haven Area to assist detectives with narcotics search of a vehicle. The vehicle was searched and K9 Farley indicated for the presence of narcotic odor near and around the center console. The area was checked with negative results by Officers. After a second check an aftermarket created void was located containing one illegal handgun, multiple high-capacity magazines with a large amount of ammo, suspected crack cocaine, suspected marijuana, and a large number of pills. Without the use of Police Service Dog Farley, the above illegal items would never been located.
2023 Tracking Award Officer Joseph H. Staffieri & K9 Rocky New Haven Police Department
On July 4, 2023 Officer Staffieri and his K9 Partner Rocky conducted a track for an armed robbery suspect in the greater New Haven Area. After tacking the suspect through yards and over multiple fences K9 Rocky gave an indication that the suspect was close. With verbal commands from Officer Staffieri the suspect, who was hiding behind and tree and brush gave up without further incident. Without the use of K9 Rocky the suspect would not have been located.
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