Dozens of New Canaan Police officers, their families and town residents and officials gathered under a tent outside the department’s South Avenue headquarters Thursday to recognize those who have been promoted within NCPD and those who have gone above and beyond to earn special awards.
L-R: Officers Giancarlo Vincenzi, Emily Clark, Erin McCarthy and Rex Sprosta, Lt. Joe Farenga and Chief Leon Krolikowski at the May 27, 2021 promotion and awards ceremony outside the New Canaan Police Department. Credit: Michael Dinan
Police Chief Leon Krolikowski told those in attendance on a clear, comfortable evening that the ceremony is designed “to celebrate the accomplishments of many officers.”
Officer Rex Sprosta. Photo courtesy of the New Canaan Police Department
Officer Rex Sprosta, a U.S. Marines veteran hired by NCPD in October 2004 is winner of the 2020 Lt. Stephen W. Wood Officer of the Year Award.
Created in 2014 and first earned by Wood’s own son-in-law, the award is designed to “honor and memorialize a beloved member of our department,” Krolikowski said in a a press release.
A U.S. Marine veteran himself, Wood served the town from 1977 to 2009 and “was taken from us far too young,” Krolikowski said.
Lt. Steven Wood. Photo courtesy of the New Canaan Police Department