4 Local Residents Become State Troopers

Two Shelton residents, a Trumbull resident and one from Monroe are now State troopers.

They recently graduated along with 79 others, all members of the 123rd Training Troop.

The local graduates are: 

• Gregory T. Sawicki, Trumbull, Troop G

• Emily F. Shaham, Monroe, Troop A
• Michael J. Spry, Shelton, Troop G
• Ryan W. Burke, Shelton, Troop I

Commissioner of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Reuben F. Bradford, and Colonel Danny R. Stebbins, Commander of the State Police, congratulated the graduating class during a ceremony at Jorgensen Auditorium at the University of Connecticut.  Gov. Dannel Malloy was the keynote speaker at the event.

The 123rd training troop entered the Connecticut State Police Academy on

June 14, 2013, and spent approximately 1,400 hours in the classroom.  They spent many more hours training in physical conditioning, water rescue, driving and other specialized areas of police work.

The 83 members of this class began the process of becoming State Troopers more than a year ago. At that time, they applied for the positions, took the written test and the physical fitness assessment, along with observational and polygraph tests. 

Members of the 123rd Training Troop come from eight different states and have diverse backgrounds, training and experience.

Among the 83 graduates:

• 20 have military experience
• 26 have prior law enforcement experience
• 43 have bachelor degrees
• 10 have graduate degrees
• 85% of the class left higher paying jobs to serve as Connecticut State Troopers

According to a press release, members of the class previously served as accountants, counselors, corrections officers, firefighters, lawyers, teachers and nurses, among other professions. The youngest member of the class is 23 and the oldest is 47.