Washington, DC—The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund has announced the selection of Detective Scott Wisner of the Connecticut State Police as the recipient of its Officer of the Month Award for December 2013.
Memorial Fund Chairman & CEO Craig W. Floyd will be presenting Detective Scott Wisner with the Officer of the Month Award this evening during Sandy Hook Appreciation Night, an event hosted by the Connecticut State Police Union, honoring officers who responded to the Sandy Hook school shooting in December 2012.
Located in the nation’s capital, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of America’s law enforcement officers. The Memorial Fund’s Officer of the Month Award Program began in 1996 and recognizes federal, state, and local officers who distinguish themselves through exemplary law enforcement service and devotion to duty.
Detective Wisner, along with the other Officer of the Month Award winners for 2013, will be honored at a special awards luncheon in Washington, DC, in May 2014, during National Police Week. In addition, their stories of heroism and service will be featured in the Memorial Fund’s annual calendar.
Key Facts
- On April 8, 2013, troopers at the Connecticut State Police Westbrook Barracks received word that police officers from the Old Saybrook (CT) Police Department were engaged in a high speed pursuit.
- The vehicle they were pursuing was believed to be occupied by two suspects who had just robbed a local hotel at gunpoint. The pursuit sped through the town of Westbrook and headed north on Route 153. By chance, Connecticut State Police Detective Scott Wisner was on duty and traveling on Route 153, north of where the suspects’ vehicle was last spotted.
- Just as he heard the broadcast about the pursuit, Detective Wisner activated his emergency lights and siren, as the fleeing vehicle approached him from behind at a high rate of speed. The vehicle rammed Detective Wisner’s cruiser, and both vehicles slid off the roadway and careened down a steep embankment.
- The suspect’s vehicle came to rest on its side, with its sunroof facing Detective Wisner’s driver side window, with only four feet of distance between the two. Without warning, the suspects opened fire through the sunroof aiming directly at Detective Wisner.
- In an attempt to take cover, Detective Wisner leaned across the front seat of his cruiser, but was ultimately shot in the left ear and the left shoulder. Although severely injured, Detective Wisner returned fire, striking the two armed robbery suspects and temporarily ceasing the firefight.
- Responding officers were already en route and reached Detective Wisner shortly after the crash. They removed him from the cruiser and he was immediately transferred to a hospital for medical attention.
- Shortly after Detective Wisner was removed from his vehicle, the suspects again opened fire on the additional troopers that had arrived on the scene. The troopers returned fire and killed one of the two suspects. The second suspect was charged with attempted murder and robbery, as well as several motor vehicle violations.
- Upon investigation, it was revealed that the suspects had conspired to conduct the armed robbery with the specific intent of murdering the robbery victim at the hotel. While searching the suspects’ hotel room, authorities found materials which they believed the suspects would have used to dispose of the murder evidence.
- The plan was thwarted by the quick response of the officers from the Old Saybrook (CT) Police Department and the Connecticut State Police, specifically by Detective Scott Wisner.
Supporting Quotes
- In nominating Detective Wisner for the Award, Lieutenant Patrick J. Torneo, Commanding Officer of the Westbrook (CT) Barracks, stated, “Connecticut State Police Detective Scott Wisner displayed extraordinary gallantry and bravery at the risk of own his life, above and beyond the call of duty, while engaged in deadly combat with two armed and dangerous suspects. I truly believe that the actions of Detective Scott Wisner on Monday, April 8, 2013, have risen to the level of recognition for the prestigious Officer of the Month Award.”
- ”The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is honored to present Detective Wisner with our Officer of the Month Award for December 2013," said Craig W. Floyd, Memorial Fund Chairman & CEO. "His tenacity and proactive approach in dealing with these suspects undoubtedly saved the life of the robbery victim," he said. “He is most deserving of the Officer of the Month Award.”
For more information about the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund’s Officer of the Month Award, visit www.LawMemorial.org/OTM.
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About the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund
Founded in 1984, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is a private non-profit [501(c)(3)] organization dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of America's law enforcement officers and to promoting officer safety. The Memorial Fund maintains the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, which contains the names of 19,981 officers who have died in the line of duty throughout U.S. history. The Memorial Fund is now working to create the first-ever National Law Enforcement Museum, which will tell the story of American law enforcement through high-tech, interactive exhibits, comprehensive collection of historical and contemporary artifacts, extensive resources for research, and diverse educational programming. For more information, visit www.LawMemorial.org.
