P R E S S R E L E A S E

Note: Ceremony tonight at 6:00 PM – Dinosaur State Park, Rocky Hill

CT DEEP Honors Environmental Conservation Police Officers Annual Ceremony Recognizes Outstanding Performance Exemplary efforts to protect public safety and environment cited.

The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) tonight will recognize ten of its Environmental Conservation (EnCon) Police Officers and two civilians for their exemplary work while protecting Connecticut’s environment.

Commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Dan Esty said, “Tonight’s honorees – and all of our EnCon officers – are part of an outstanding law enforcement tradition that dates back more than a century. Our officers play a unique role by performing traditional law enforcement duties as well as enforcing laws aimed at protecting this state’s natural resources and wildlife.

“The officers we are honoring tonight have gone ‘the extra mile’ to fulfill their responsibilities and the people of our state can take great pride in their service,” Esty added.
At the DEEP’s annual EnCon recognition ceremony, held this year at Dinosaur State Park, Rocky Hill, Commissioner Esty presented eighteen awards in five categories:

• Medal for Meritorious Service: Sergeant James Wolfe of Old Lyme and Officers Joseph Ruggiero of North Branford, Keith Williams of New Hartford, Matt Stone of Old Saybrook, Tate Begley of Cornwall, Nicholas Miofsky of West Hartford, and Steve Stanko of East Hampton. A Medal for Meritorious Service award bar with 2 gold stars will be permanently displayed on each officer’s uniform.

• Medal for Outstanding Service: Officers Sean Buckley of Southbury, Keith Williams of New Hartford, Steve Stanko of East Hampton, John Marvin of Coventry and Michael Ralbovsky of Beverly, Massachusetts and Carl H. Hornbecker of Southbury. A Medal for Achievement award bar with one gold star will be permanently displayed on each officer’s uniform.

• Boating Officer of the Year: Officer Steve Stanko of East Hampton.

• Lifesaving Award: Sergeant Christopher Dwyer of Columbia, Officers Steve Stanko of East Hampton and Joseph Ruggiero of North Branford.

• Shikar-Safari Officer of the Year Award: Officer Keith Williams of New Hartford.

State Environmental Conservation Police
Known as "Special Game Protectors" when first created in 1895, the State Environmental Conservation (EnCon) Police are responsible for protecting the public and Connecticut's natural resources through public education and outreach, prevention of crime and accidents and the enforcement of laws and regulations. EnCon officers work in three law enforcement districts - East, West and Marine - and nine areas of expertise: Fish and Game, Boating, Commercial Fishing, Wildlife Management, Parks and Forests, Recreational Vehicles, Search and Rescue, Homeland Security, and Public Outreach.

All EnCon officers are fully certified law enforcement officials with full arrest powers. In addition to traditional law enforcement duties, they have special responsibilities for protecting Connecticut’s natural resources and wildlife.

The EnCon police are a part of the DEEP’s Bureau of Outdoor Recreation and are under the command of Colonel Kyle Overturf.

2012 Conservation Officer Awards

Medal for Meritorious Service
The Medal for Meritorious Service shall be awarded to any person who renders service beyond the ordinary course of duty with alertness, perseverance, or timely judgment in the performance of a difficult task which results in the protection of life, the recovery of stolen property, the prevention or solving of a major crime, or the apprehension of an armed or dangerous person.
Officer Joseph Ruggiero
Hometown: North Branford
District: Eastern District
Date of Hire: 1994

On October 10, 2011 Officer Ruggiero established surveillance in the parking lot at Chatfield Hollow State Park in Killingworth following a series of automobile burglaries at the park and at other parks in the area. Officer Ruggiero observed two individuals break into cars in the parking lot to steal personal items from the unoccupied automobiles.

Officer Ruggiero requested assistance from another officer and both suspects were quickly apprehended. Both suspects were charged with Burglary, Larceny, Criminal Mischief and Possession of Burglary Tools. Officer Ruggiero’s initiative resulted in two arrests that ended a string of burglaries at area State Parks and the return of personal property.


Officer Keith Williams Officer Tate Begley Officer Nicholas Miofsky
Hometown: New Hartford Hometown: Cornwall Hometown: West Hartford
District: Western District District: Western District District: Western District
Date of Hire: 2008 Date of Hire: 2000 Date of Hire: 2010

Over the past several hunting seasons the division has received numerous complaints in the Sharon Mountain area regarding illegal deer hunting activity. On October 8, 2011 Officer Begley observed a white van with Massachusetts license plates on a residential street in Sharon. Later that morning Officer Begley saw the same van parked behind a gas station in Lakeville and requested assistance from Officer Miofsky and Williams.

Upon questioning, the officers obtained information from the van operator that three individuals were dropped off in Sharon with their hunting equipment. They would illegally hunt for deer on the private property and then get picked up later that afternoon. None of the hunters had legal permission to hunt the private property and indications were that they would flee if encountered by an officer.

Information gathered also indicated that this activity had occurred numerous times over the past years. Officer Begley and Miofsky accompanied the cooperative van operator to pick up the three hunters. Officer Keith Williams and two State Troopers followed to provide assistance.

Once the van arrived at the pre-determined pick up location, the suspects emerged from the woods and ran toward the van where officers were waiting to take them into custody. All three suspects were apprehended along with their equipment and an illegally killed deer. Officers Begley, Miofsky and Keith Williams demonstrated exceptional skill, ingenuity, perseverance and initiative in conducting what was a complex investigation that resulted in the apprehension of four out of state hunters who repeatedly violated state fish and game laws.

Officer Matt Stone
Hometown: Old Saybrook
District: Western District
Date of Hire: 2010

On July 7, 2011 Officer Stone responded to Bigelow Hollow State Park for a report of a suicidal male who was believed to be on foot in the park. The search parties consisted of numerous State Troopers, some with canines, as well as fellow officers from the agency.

Officer Stone began searching several locations close to the water by vehicle and foot. During his search of Breakneck Pond he encountered several males in a canoe who stated they had seen a white male matching the description on the other side of the pond.

Officer Stone found the distraught male sitting inside a camping shelter. Officer Stone determined that the individual had not harmed himself and escorted him back to the staging area. The male was transported to an area hospital for evaluation.

Sergeant James Wolfe Officer Steve Stanko
Hometown: Old Lyme Hometown: East Hampton
District: Eastern District District: Eastern District
Date of Hire: 1994 Date of Hire: 2007


On February 27, 2012 at approximately 2:15 PM, Officer Stanko and Sergeant Wolfe were on duty at Eastern District Headquarters in Marlborough. After being alerted to a bank robbery in Hebron they began monitoring State Police radio transmissions. State Police were pursuing the bank robber which was heading toward their location.

Sergeant Wolfe and Officer Stanko observed a Trooper pursuing the suspect vehicle and followed to assist if needed. The pursuit led south on Main Street where the suspect threw the stolen money out of his car onto the road. After driving over stop sticks the suspect entered the westbound off ramp to Route 2 in the wrong direction only to reverse direction after encountering another Trooper.

The suspect then drove directly towards Sergeant Wolfe and Officer Stanko who were now blocking the highway overpass. The suspect was taken into custody by Officer Stanko while Sergeant Wolfe and the pursuing Trooper provided cover and assistance. The entire amount of stolen money was recovered and turned over to the State Police.

Due to their alertness and timely judgment the armed suspect was apprehended, the stolen money was recovered and the pursuit was ended safely.

Medal for Outstanding Service
The Division Medal for Outstanding Service or Achievement is awarded for successful performance of an extremely complex or difficult investigation; the demonstration of exceptional skill or ingenuity in the apprehension of a wanted person; outstanding service to the public or the agency; or to an officer who continuously achieves excellence in the performance of his or her duties over an extended time period.


Officer Sean Buckley
Hometown: Southbury
District: Western District
Date of Hire: 2007

Smash and Grab at Huntington State Park
On March 28, 2009 Officer Buckley responded to a report of a smash and grab style larceny from a vehicle at Huntington State Park in Redding. Officer Buckley later also determined that a second larceny from a motor vehicle had occurred at Putnam Memorial State Park. At the time there was no further evidence available to develop suspects in the case. Officer Buckley took the initiative to continue this investigation. There had been several similar incidents in state parks throughout western Connecticut. Officer Buckley developed information by working cooperatively with State Police, Redding, Middlebury, Naugatuck and Ansonia police departments.

Through his diligent efforts Officer Buckley was able to develop a suspect and obtain an arrest warrant. The suspect was located in Virginia where he had been imprisoned for crimes he committed in that state. Officer Buckley, with assistance from the State Attorney’s Office, was able to have the suspect charged in Virginia as a Fugitive from Justice. The suspect is currently awaiting extradition proceedings to Connecticut.

In October 2011 an early winter storm struck Connecticut. Tree crews clearing downed trees in the area of Putnam Park located a pocketbook containing personal belongings. Officer Buckley determined the purse belonged to one of the victims in the 2009 larcenies. All of the victim’s identification and other personal belongings were still inside.

Officer Buckley conducted an intensive criminal investigation that required exceptional investigative skills. His ability to coordinate his activities with numerous agencies and a high level of diligence led to the apprehension of a suspect and the return of items to the victim of the crime.

Officer Sean Buckley Officer Keith Williams Carl H. Hornbecker
Hometown: Southbury Hometown: New Hartford Hometown: Southbury
District: Western District District: Western District
Date of Hire: 2008 Date of Hire: 2008

Lost Hiker at Lake Zoar

In November 2011, State Police received a cell phone call for assistance from an 81-year old hiker who was lost near the trails by Lake Zoar. Officer Keith Williams and Sean Buckley, as well as State Police Troopers with canines and Oxford Police officers, responded to the area to begin searching. Officer Williams started to search by foot on the trail while Officer Buckley responded to Lakeside Marina in Southbury to obtain a vessel. Officer Buckley believed that the hiker was located in an area that was more accessible by vessel due to steep terrain. Officer Buckley requested assistance from the marina and from boat owner Carl Hornbecker.

Officer Buckley and Mr. Hornbecker checked the shoreline and soon saw Officer Williams climbing down a steep rock face towards the lost hiker’s location near the water’s edge. The lost hiker was transported back to the officers’ vehicles by vessel. The hiker did not require medical attention. Due to their knowledge of the area and quick action, the lost hiker was found in a timely fashion unharmed.

Officer Steve Stanko
Hometown: East Hampton
District: Eastern District
Date of Hire: 2007
On June 9, 2011 Officer Steve Stanko overheard a State Police radio transmission regarding a possible intoxicated driver traveling on Route 9 in Haddam. The State Police advised that the offending vehicle had nearly caused an accident.

Officer Stanko was in the immediate area and safely stopped the vehicle and then continued his investigation as to the cause for the erratic and unsafe driving. For officer safety reasons the driver was checked for any weapons. Officer Stanko found several knives on the driver and noticed he attempted to hide items in his pocket. The driver became combative and had to be subdued by Officer Stanko.

A subsequent search revealed numerous plastic glassine bags. A total of 72 packages of heroin and $2,249.00 in cash were seized from the driver. Also found in the vehicle were 17 oxycotin pills, 3 methadone pills, 3 prescription Motrin pills and 1 Viagra pill. The driver was arrested and charged with Possession of Narcotics, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Sale of Narcotics and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Officer John Marvin
Hometown: Coventry
District: Eastern District
Date of Hire: Special Conservation Officer
On August 19, 2011 at approximately 5:15 PM, Special Conservation Officer John Marvin was travelling eastbound on Interstate 84 in Union. As he neared exit 74 he came upon a motor vehicle accident in which one person had died at the scene of the crash and another person was in critical condition.

Officer Marvin was the first police officer on scene and immediately called for medical services and notification of the State Police. Officer Marvin directed arriving EMS personnel to the injured parties and helped guide the Life Star helicopter to a safe landing zone in order to transport the injured motorist. He was able to obtain witness names and also provided traffic direction on a busy interstate.

Officer Marvin rendered service above and beyond the normal scope of his duties and his professionalism and quick actions were paramount to the investigation and to the safety of all those involved.

Michael Ralbovsky
Hometown: Beverly, Massachusetts

Michael Ralbovsky has been assisting the Connecticut Environmental Conservation Police Division with the handling, seizure and placement of dangerous reptiles for many years. In addition, he has also voluntarily conducted several training classes for police officers on the handling and capturing of dangerous reptiles, such as venomous snakes and crocodilians.

Since 2009, the number of complaints received on the possession of dangerous animals has increased greatly, with the largest increase being exotic snakes and crocodilians. Mike has assisted in some capacity with every one of those incidents. In August 2009, Rainforest Reptiles was a key participant in the first ever Exotic Animal Amnesty Day in Connecticut. On that day alone, Rainforest Reptiles assisted with the handling and placement of over 100 reptiles which had been voluntarily surrendered.

In 2011, Mike assisted in fourteen incidents involving such species as an African Spur tortoise, pythons, boa constrictors, caimans and American alligators. Mike took possession of all these animals and in most cases utilized them to educate the public about conservation and the dangers of owning exotic animals as pets. Michael Ralbovsky’s outstanding service to the division is invaluable. His assistance, knowledge and experience are not only significant to officer safety and the animals’ well being, but also to the safety of the citizens of Connecticut.


Boating Officer of the Year Award
The Boating Enforcement Officer of the year awards is presented annually to an officer of the Division whose efforts in boating safety and boating safety enforcement are deemed to have contributed significantly to the safety of recreational boaters in Connecticut.
Officer Steve Stanko
Hometown: East Hampton
District: Eastern District
Date of Hire: 2007

The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) Boating Officer of the Year for Connecticut in 2011 is Officer Steven Stanko. Officer Stanko patrols the area covering Long Island Sound and the Connecticut River. He distinguished himself this past year by making 17 boating arrests and issuing 11 written warnings for boating violations both on Connecticut’s waters and at the State’s boat launches. Among the arrests he performed, two were for Boating under the Influence (BUI), one of which resulted in an arrest of a passenger for narcotics.

The first BUI arrest was in Long Island Sound off the shore of Westbrook on May 28th where the operator of a vessel failed the standard field sobriety tests, also failed the Intoxylizer breath test and was arrested for BUI with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) that was two times the legal limit. During the course of this arrest he also arrested a passenger who inadvertently displayed illegal narcotics to Officer Stanko when he asked the individual for identification. The individual was found to be illegally in possession of Oxycontin, a prescription drug.

The second BUI arrest occurred while participating in “Operation Drywater” a national Boating under the Influence initiative sponsored by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators at Candlewood Lake on June 26th, when he arrested an individual who was found passed out, adrift in his vessel. The operator failed all standard field sobriety tests and also failed the Intoxilyzer Breath Test with a result for blood alcohol concentration that was twice the legal limit.

Officer Stanko also investigated five boating accidents in 2010-11, several of which involved injuries. His dedication, enthusiasm, professionalism and willingness to cooperate make him a worthy recipient of the NASBLA Boating Officer of the Year Award for Connecticut for 2011.
Conservation Officer of the Year
Shikar-Safari Officer of the Year Award
The Shikar-Safari Club International, an organization that promotes wildlife conservation and protection, sponsors the Shikar-Safari Officer of the Year Award. The award recognizes and honors officers who have shown exemplary performance of their duties in the protection of wildlife, enforcement of game laws and implementation of conservation programs.
Officer Keith Williams
Hometown: New Hartford
District: Western district
Date of Hire: 2008

During 2011 Officer Williams investigated numerous illegal ATV activities, one of which resulted in the operator being arrested when the operator attempted to run him down. Officer Williams was in the process of intercepting the subject in an attempt to stop his machine when the subject accelerated the ATV toward him. He had to jump out of the way to avoid being hit. Officer Williams continued on a foot pursuit and finally stopped the ATV at which time the operator was arrested for numerous ATV violations which included interfering with an officer.

Officer Williams’ boating activity type cases resulted in a wide array of investigations and arrests. One arrest included a boater who had cut off a lock of an access gate that led to a lake that prohibited the use of a motor on boats. The violator replaced it with his own lock in order to gain sole access to boating and fishing activity. Numerous complaints were made on this illegal activity and Officer Williams efforts and perseverance into this investigation resulted in the arrest of the subject.

Officer Williams’ fish and game investigations included catching violators hunting deer over bait in no bait zones, violation of the 500-foot rule when he caught a Vermont resident hunting with a muzzle loading rifle two hundred thirty one feet from a house. He also investigated an extensive trapping case where he apprehended an illegal trapper setting and tending illegally set fox traps well outside of the legal trapping season.

Officer Williams is a member of the department’s Hunting Incident Reconstruction Unit which is responsible for reconstructing hunting related shootings in Connecticut. He attended the IHEA Hunting Incident Investigation Academy in Georgia where he learned special crime scene investigation techniques including how to properly document and secure evidence and make determinations as to the cause of the shooting. Upon graduation he quickly put this training to use when he and other HIRU members investigated a deer hunting related shooting during last year’s hunting season in the eastern part of the state.
Lifesaving Award
The Lifesaving Award is awarded to any person saving a person’s live or making a valiant attempt to do so.

Sergeant Christopher Dwyer Officer Joseph Ruggiero Officer Steve Stanko
Hometown: Columbia Hometown: North Branford Hometown: East Hampton
District: Western District District: Eastern District District: Eastern District
Date of Hire: 2000 Date of Hire: 1994 Date of Hire: 2007

On November 11, 2011, Officers Stanko, Ruggiero and Sergeant Dwyer responded to Sleeping Giant State Park in the town of Hamden for a female who was lost in the park. A search was already underway for the lost nineteen-year-old female by the Hamden Police and Fire departments. Hamden Police had contact with the lost female by phone and she appeared disoriented.

Officers Stanko, Ruggiero and Sergeant Dwyer joined the search by foot on the trails and were able to locate items that were thought to be from the lost hiker. Officer Stanko and Sergeant Dwyer continued up the mountain and after climbing a rocky outcropping of the trail near the northern boundary discovered the lost female lying on the ground in a thick cover of mountain laurel.

The female appeared disoriented, suffering from hypothermia and could not stand or walk. The officers carried her for a significant amount of time to get her to medical personnel. The actions of the officers on this evening contributed to saving the life of the nineteen year old hiker.