The Hundred Club of Connecticut
119 Oakwood Drive | P.O. Box 419 | Glastonbury, CT 06033 CT100@hundredclubofCT.org
Memorial Service Notes 1896 Death
Though no law enforcer in
Connecticut lost his/or her life in the line of
duty during the past year, a name was added to
the memorial on the grounds of the Connecticut
Police Academy in Meriden, during ceremonies May
19. The name is Officer Florence B. Sullivan of
the Danbury Police Dept. The date of his death
is listed at Sept. 8, 1896.
Danbury Police Officer Gary Guertin, while
conducting research at the Danbury Museum and
Historical Society, came across information that
Mr. Sullivan, who was brutally beaten by five
men, had died from injuries sustained while on
duty. This was made clear when the local
government compensated his family. Last November
Danbury Chief Robert L. Paquette submitted Mr.
Guertin’s findings to the Law Enforcement
Memorial Committee which approved the request to
add Mr. Sullivan’s name to the Roll of Honor.
During the program, Gov. Rowland paid tribute to
Gov. (Ret.) Bill O’Neill. Speaking to the
gathering of law enforcers, families and friends
of law enforcers who lost their lives in the
line of duty, the state’s chief executive
declared, “Gov. Bill O’Neill is always here at
this event. He is committed to the men and women
in law enforcement. It is a passionate
commitment. He shares their concerns and the
concerns of their families.”
Looking in the direction of Mr. O’Neill, who was
seated on the stage, Mr. Rowland said, “On
behalf of the State of Connecticut, Gov.
O’Neill, we thank you.” Mr. Rowland also hailed
the late Chief State’s Atty. John M. Bailey, who
died during the past year. The governor
declared, “Each and every day Jack Bailey
carried out his duties with a passion for
justice and a compassion for people working in
law enforcement and the judicial system.”
In his prepared remarks Mr. Rowland recalled
visiting the site of the World Trade Center a
few days after the terrorists’ attack. He
expressed pride in the response of public
service workers and other volunteers from
Connecticut who, within hours of the collapse of
the buildings, went to the site and joined in
the effort to rescue people and later to recover
bodies and remove rubble.
He noted that at that time throughout the
country there was a genuine concern for one
another which he said has dissipated. He
expressed the hope that it would reemerge.
In conclusion Mr. Rowland emphasized that in
Connecticut the men and women who devote their
lives to protecting the lives and property of
others and make the ultimate sacrifice are not
forgotten.
Other speakers included Mr. O’Neill, Chief
(Ret.) William Farrell, who is chairman of the
Law Enforcement Foundation; Chief State’s Atty,
Chris Morano; U.S. Atty. Kevin O’Connor; and
Col. Edward J. Lynch, State Police commander.
Chief (Ret.) Robert Kosienski, Meriden Police
Dept., was master of ceremonies and Rev. Edward
Goetz, chaplain, Middletown Police Dept.,
delivered the invocation.
