Community Corner

Trumbull Heroes Sacrificed for Sandy Hook, One Gave Her Life

First Selectman Timothy Herbst honored this year's Clarence Heimann Leadership Award recipients at Marisa's Ristorante Wednesday.

The following is First Selectman Timothy Herbst's introductions of this year's Clarence Heimann Leadership Award recipients during a ceremony held after his State of the Town Address at Marisa's Ristorante in March.

It is my honor to present the Clarence Heimann Leadership Award. Named after our former first selectman, this award is given each year to a Trumbull resident or Trumbull employee who demonstrates leadership and self-sacrifice. 

The first two recipients have been by my side in the emergency operations center during the worst weather related emergencies that have ever plagued our Town. They have provided exemplary leadership to our police department and our public works department.

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On December 14, 2012, both of these men, without hesitation, stepped forward to offer mutual aid from their respective departments to the people of Newtown.

I have worked closely with both of these men and I can tell the people of Trumbull that when faced with crisis and emergency, we are in good hands.  Today, they accept this award on behalf of all of the men and women that comprise their departments.  Please join me in congratulating the first two recipients of the Clarence Heimann Leadership Award, our Chief of Police, Thomas Kiely and our Public Works Director, John Marsilio.

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A Strong Work Ethic

The third recipient of the Clarence Heimann Leadership Award is a Trumbull resident who exemplifies all the character traits you want in a public employee - -honesty, dedication and a strong work ethic. As the Director of Facilities for the Newtown Board of Education, the next recipient spent his Christmas holiday working to move Sandy Hook Elementary School to the Town of Monroe.

As his family gathered for the holidays, he worked around the clock to ensure that when the teachers and children of Sandy Hook Elementary School started school again, they would return to a safe and secure environment.  His leadership in moving the school so quickly helped families and victims heal. Please join me in congratulating our next recipient, Gino Faiella.

'She Courageously Gave Her Life'

The next two recipients are long time Trumbull residents who put both of their children through the Trumbull Public School System. One of those recipients gave her life to the cause of education as a school psychologist.

On December 14, 2012, she courageously gave her life in defense of the children of Sandy Hook Elementary School. This spring, we will name the Trumbull Counseling Center in her honor.

Her husband now continues her work. Mary's Fund will be dedicated to continuing the work of providing mental health services to children and teens.  As we seek to support them, their unwavering commitment to helping others serves as an example to us all.  It is my honor to posthumously award this year’s Clarence Heimann Leadership Award to Mary Sherlach and also to her husband, Bill Sherlach.

These recipients represent the best of Trumbull and we move forward today confident in our cause, with pride in our past and faith in our future.


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