National Police Week 2012

National Police Week, occurs each year during the week in which May 15 falls. A time when our nation recognizes the service and sacrifice of U.S. law enforcement throughout the country. Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week recognizes  and honors those law enforcement officers who have made the biggest sacrifice in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others. National Police Week is a collaborative effort of many organizations dedicated to honoring America's law enforcement community.

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29^th Annual Aquidneck Island National Police Parade

It’s been a tradition during the month of May since 1962, when President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. Police Week is set aside to honor men and women in law enforcement past and present who have given the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Police Week includes many local and national events and tributes, which culminate with memorial services at the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington DC. In the 1960’s Rhode Island adopted the concept of a National Police Week Parade, which was created in East Providence and sponsored by the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge. Although their parade was discontinued shortly after it started, they resumed the memorial event in the early 1970’s. Officers from Aquidneck Island Police Departments, which include Newport Police, Middletown Police, Portsmouth Police and Rhode Island State Police revived  the parade as an annual event. After one more interruption in the 80’s, the parade has continued into the 21^st century, now in its 29th consecutive year. The Aquidneck Island National Police Parade has expanded its events over the first weekend in May of each year to commemorate those officers killed in the line of duty. Agencies from around the nation including New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Iowa, Illinois, Maryland, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont ,Washington D.C. and some International Agencies such as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police have joined to commemorate the fallen officers. Continued:

In September of 2011, I received an e-mail from Cherie Corchado, a manager at Chili's Grill & Bar in Milford, CT. She wrote: "I recently went to a car show where I acquired one of your www.PoliceCar.us business cards. I'm in need of some vehicles to show off at our Touch-A-Truck fundraiser to raise money for the St. Jude Children's Hospital. The fundraiser will be held on Saturday September 24, 2011 from 9AM-12PM in the Chili's Parking lot. Can you help?"

Okay, I thought, two weeks -- that's not much time to put this together. With all the rain this summer and car shows and events being pushed back because of it, I needed to call in the troops, and fast. I immediately sent out an e-mail to our group, the "Eastern Vintage Police Car Association". Angelo Appi, owner of the 2002 Florida Highway Patrol Camaro, quickly returned my e-mail with the words "I'm on it!" in bold print. Those of you who know Angelo, know that when he decides to do something, there's no stopping him. He gets the job done, and this time was no exception. When I arrived Saturday morning, I saw that the Chili's restaurant staff was organized and focused. I could tell that above average preparation had been taken to make this event a successful one. I was admiring the way they set up booths with face painting, cotton candy, food and raffle items when I heard it in the distance -- horns blaring,  sirens screaming. I looked up, and despite the morning's threatening skies, I saw the specialty vehicles come thundering down Rt. 1 and into the Chili's lot, Angelo's FHP Camaro leading the way. Large tow trucks, small tow trucks, fire trucks, vintage police cars with lights flashing, even a Disneyland Mini Cooper with Mickey Mouse ears sprouting out from its roof! The event was well received by the public. It didn't take long for the restaurant parking area to be taken over by wide-eyed kids with big, smiling faces. A lot of very happy children went from specialty vehicle to specialty vehicle positioning themselves behind the steering wheels of each, switching on lights and sirens and pushing horn buttons and having a great time.

I personally want to thank Angelo Appi, Jim Mank and Marcello Amstoy who brought out their vintage police cars and fire trucks despite the weather. Also, I'd like to thank all the specialty vehicle owners who came out on such short notice to help out the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. You all made so many children very happy on what turned out to be a terrific Saturday. Continued...

Connecticut State Police owned 1982 and 1969 D.A.R.E Corvettes. Both Corvettes were confiscated by the CSP under the "Asset Forfeiture Law" because their owners were involved in drug related activity. After the cars became the property of the CSP, they were used by the Narcotic Task Force Division for undercover related activities before finally becoming D.A.R.E. vehicles". The ‘82 Corvette was confiscated back in the mid to late 80's according to CSP's Trooper First Class Leonard Widener, and was first painted white and red. Then sometime in the early 90's, the stars and stripes graphics were integrated into the paint scheme. The ‘69 Vette, he explained, was confiscated at about the same time and was painted sometime in late 1989 or 1990. The names of the people responsible for the ‘69's graphics and renovation are proudly listed on the rear deck of the vehicle. For more photos, click here

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Walk for Wishes Hero Parade!

Today was the day, May 14, 2011! The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Connecticut came to Jennings Beach for a day of fun with friends and family! Honorary Event Chairs Paul Piorek of News12 and Marit Price of Star 99.9 joined the crowd to help celebrate 25 years of wishes in Connecticut at the Walk for Wishes Hero Parade. “Today we will march through the streets of beautiful Fairfield, Connecticut with Wish families, friends, and all of the everyday heroes that help to make so many wishes come true”, said Development Director Tara Navara. The Wish families and participants asked the heroes in their lives (family members, friends, police officers, fire fighters, teachers, medical professionals, etc.) to join their team and march or ride along side them through the scenic streets of Fairfield. The event concluded with a party back at Jennings Beach complete with food, music and a Kids Tent!

Thanks to all of the following Connecticut Police Departments who helped make it a very special day for these very special kids: Berlin, Danbury, Darien, Fairfield, Greenwich, Manchester, Naugatuck,  New Canaan, Stratford, Wethersfield,  New Britain, Avon, Farmington, Trumbull and Wilton. Also, a big thanks to the Fairfield Fire Department, Fairfield, CT, the Echo Hose Hook and Ladder Company of Shelton, CT, and the Cos Cob Fire Police Patrol of Greenwich, CT.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Connecticut grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Continued...

The 5th Annual Stamford

Police Memorial Parade

On Friday, May 6, 2011, Police Departments from New York State, New Jersey, and Connecticut came to the City of Stamford for the 5th Annual Police Memorial Parade. Motorcycles, vintage police cruisers, bag-pipers and hundreds of police officers in formal dress uniforms marched down Bedford Street. The City's 5th annual memorial parade began around 6 p.m. at Veteran's Park on Atlantic Street and ended in front of the Stamford Police Department on Bedford Street. A somber series of speeches were delivered celebrating public service and honoring law enforcement officers nationwide who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Stamford Police Officer Richard Gasparino took the podium after loudspeakers played the harrowing recording of the radio transmissions just following the December 9 shooting, which occurred while he and fellow narcotics officers were serving a high-risk search warrant on a suspected PCP dealer. Gasparino suffered a near-death experience when a bullet tore through his face and neck, narrowly missing major arteries. Gasparino said, “I know how blessed I was and I feel it's important to honor the officers who paid the ultimate sacrifice".  Continued...

A Celebration For All Who Served

On May 18, 2010, Governor M. Jodi Rell signed Public Act "HB 5352" proclaiming March 30th as the official "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day". Connecticut became the second state in the nation to honor its veterans in this way. Almost a year later on April 10, 2011, the first official celebration took place on the football field of Cheshire High School, Cheshire, Connecticut.  

The event featured a fly over by the Fairfield Police Department Aviation Unit, a vintage car and motorcycle show, food and craft vendors, and a large display by COMVEC, the Connecticut Military Vehicles Club. Special guest speakers included Colonel (USA, Ret.) Robert “Rob” Simmons, Former Congressman CT 2nd District; Dr. Linda S. Schwartz, Commissioner of CT Department of Veterans’ Affairs; US Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro, CT 3rd District; and Richard Blumenthal, United States Senator for CT, to name just a few. Representatives of all the major armed forces groups were also in attendance to officially welcome home the war veterans.  -Continued-

The Connecticut State Police held its 6th Annual Sergeant Geoffrey Schweitzer Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, May 22, 2011! The Connecticut Police Training Academy in Meriden, CT, hosted its annual fundraiser with a multitude of exhibits, displays and great food. The family friendly event featured numerous state police exhibits including a fun house and other children's activities and games. Vintage Police Cars and In-Service Police Vehicles filled the parking areas for spectators to admire. Along with the Law enforcement vehicles, local town and city high tech fire trucks and their vintage counterparts from yesteryear, were also available for public inspection. Various K-9 units from both local and state departments filled the Academy grounds attracting spectators with their demonstrations. Mounted police from Bridgeport and Hartford Police Departments were on display and available for photographs. With 2011 being the last year that the infamous Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor will be available for police service, representatives from Ford and Chrysler were in attendance displaying proto types of their company’s next generation police package vehicles. With a $10.00 donation going directly to “Relay for Life”, a hardy breakfast including pancakes, eggs, sausage, bacon and much, much more was served throughout the morning. This very important annual event honors the memory of all State Police personnel who lost their battle to cancer while raising funds to help continue the fight for a cure. Continued...

The 17th Annual Memorial

Weekend Classic Car Show!

The 17th Annual Memorial Weekend Classic Car Show took place on Sunday, May 29, on the Quinnipiac College Campus in Hamden, Connecticut. The event was presented by the Connecticut Classic Chevy Car Club in association with the Hamden Police Department. All proceeds from the show benefit local area charities. More than 700 pre-1980 cars and trucks attended along with members of the Northeast Vintage Police Car Association who brought their Vintage and Classic Police Vehicles. The show, which was open to the public, included entertainment by “John Kuse and the Excellents”, along with food concessions, raffles, and most importantly, lots of fun. Continued...

2011

ENGINE 260 ANTIQUE FIRE APPARATUS SHOW AND MUSTER

MILFORD, CONNECTICUT

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NORTH HAVEN POLICE DEPARTMENT

Police Benevolent Association's

4th Annual Classic Car Show!

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The Labor Day Weekend

Antique & Classic Car Show

Extravaganza!

The show was held on Sunday 4, 2011 at the Milford, Connecticut Knights of Columbus. 

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Milford Lions Present Their 1^st Charity Car Show

First Milford Lions Club Antique & Classic Charity Benefit Car Show was held on Sunday, June 5, 2011. Members of the Milford Lions Club, in conjunction with the Connecticut Seaport Car Club, put on a terrific first time event. Close to a hundred show vehicles were on display attracting many interested and appreciative spectators from all over Connecticut. Lots of food, drink and bright sunshine were readily available to enjoy while DJ Seth Carley revoked many a nostalgic memory by playing all the old time favorite tunes. Dash plaques and raffle prizes were awarded, along with "Best in Class" trophies, which were presented to the winners of the vast array of top show cars. The Milford Lions accomplish many charitable events throughout the year, such as Thanksgiving baskets, Used Eyeglass Collections, Blood Drives, Eye Screening Clinics, Diabetes Awareness and Christmas Toy Drives, along with the collection of large print books for their local Library and audio books for the blind. They also know how to put on a terrific car show. Continued...

The 41st Annual Seymour Lions Club Benefit Car Show Antique, Classic & Custom Car Show!

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The 39th Annual Engine 260 Antique Fire Apparatus

Show & Muster

Engine 260 hosted the 39th Annual Engine 260 Antique Fire Apparatus Show & Muster on Saturday, September 11,  2010. The yearly event ran from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Milford, Connecticut’s Eisenhower Park.

The event showcased more than 100 antique fire trucks, 25 firefighter muster teams, and new this year, the East Coast Vintage Police Car Association with police vehicles owned and operated by private collectors. Market vendors were in attendance along with a special children’s fire safety play area that featured an interactive fire education trailer.

The annual parade of fire trucks and vintage police cars started at 9 a.m., beginning at the Kmart Shopping Center on Route 1 in Milford. Participating vehicles passed through Milford Center, past the town green and wound their way through neighbourhood streets to Eisenhower Park.Official opening ceremonies began at 10 a.m. at the Park.

Muster skills competitions began at 10:30 a.m. with the “save the baby" ladder climb and the lakeside draft for antique fire trucks. As the day progressed, more than 25 muster teams battled to see who would be victorious in the tug of war, the midnight alarm, the water barrel blast, arena pumping and the bucket brigade.

All proceeds from food and souvenir sales benefit the Milford Recreation Department’s Camp Happiness program for special needs children. Admission to the park was free to the public. ~Continued~

Highlighting a little of North Haven Police Department's motor vehicle past.

North Haven Police Department
North Haven, CT

 Click here

More Photos added on 03/24/2010

Photo's and information about them, courtesy of Officer Ted Stockmon