On June 12, 2025 we celebrated and commemorated our School Safety Officers and the work they do to promote the safety of our youth and staff. The annual celebration included an awards ceremony to honor those who have gone above and beyond this school year. Our School Safety Officers are often the first face we see at our schools; ensuring that safety protocols are followed, buildings are secure, and our students are safe from harm. The relationships they build with our students and families are crucial, helping to turn school buildings into strong communities. SSO's don’t hesitate to run towards danger when called upon to investigate incidents and provide emergency assistance.
Our SSOs were joined by guest speakers, Superintendent Leslie Torres-Rodriguez, Executive Director Ed Wilson, Senior Director of School Safety, Chief Daryl K. Roberts, and Director of School Safety, Peter Bergenholtz. The event was hosted by Master of Ceremonies, Sgt. Gerardo Pleasent.
Please join us in congratulating the following School Safety Officer recognized for their accomplishments from both the 2023 – 2024 school year and the current 2024 - 2025 school year.
Congratulations to School Safety Officer Jessenia Ramos from Bulkeley High School South, who is our 2025 Officer of the Year!
Jessenia Ramos from Bulkeley High School South, our 2025 Officer of the Year
MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARDS
Congratulations to SSO Jeremiah Lewis of Achievement First High School and SSO Algenis Torres of Burr Middle School who earned Meritorious Service Awards for valor on the job. Big gratitude to our Security Team and all our School Safety Officers!
SSO Algenis Torres observed a 6th grade female student running to the school nurse office who had trouble breathing. Torres administered pats to her back to dislodge the obstruction, which was successful in dislodging a large ball of bread from the student’s throat. SSO Torres’s quick and professional response in both recognizing and assisting the student with a medical emergency prevented the possible serious injury or death a child.
SSO Jeremiah Lewis of Achievement First High School earns Meritorious Award
SSO Jeremiah Lewis while conducting cafeteria duty at Achievement 1st High School observed five students with their hands raised clamoring for attention. Lewis responded and observed a six year old boy choking on food, unable to breathe. Lewis conducted a quick scan of the student’s airway, then proceeded to deliver several back thrusts in an attempt to dislodge the obstruction. This resulted in the student coughing up a torrent of food and enabling the student to resume breathing again. SSO Lewis’s quick and professional response in both recognizing and assisting the student with a medical emergency prevented the possible serious injury or death a child. As such, he is recognized today with the School Safety Merit Award.
For 2023 – 2024 PERFECT ATTENDANCE
PEDRO MERCADO (BURNS): ATTENDANCE (2024)
JAVIER LOPEZ (HPK BURNS): ATTENDANCE (2024)
ALGENIS TORRES (BURR): ATTENDANCE (2024)
ANDREW DEBELLA (BELLIZZI): ATTENDANCE (2024)
RAY SAWYER (WEAVER): ATTENDANCE (2024)
The following two SSOs are particularly distinguished, as they are receiving their second perfect attendance award. They are:
BIAJA WATTS (UNIVERSITY HIGH): ATTENDANCE (2nd, 2024)*
FRIDA DEDA (GLOBAL): ATTENDANCE (2ND , 2024)*
IVAN TORRES (BURR): ATTENDANCE (2ND, 2024)*
SGT. GERARDO PLEASENT
There are four SSOs who are receiving their 4th attendance award. They are:
GREGORY JACKSON (PATHWAYS): ATTENDANCE 4th, 2024)
KEVIN LONG (WEBSTER): ATTENDANCE (4th, 2024)*
HYACINTH SMITH FISHER (MLK): ATTENDANCE (4TH, 2024)
SHAWN ALDERMAN (HMTCA): ATTENDANCE (4th, 2025)
Fifth Consecutive Perfect Attendance Award
Resident Coordinator Eric Gauvin
2024 – 2025 PERFECT ATTENDANCE
JUAN NIEVES (WISH): ATTENDANCE (2025)
WILL VEITZER (ACHIEVEMENT 1ST): ATTENDANCE (2025)
JONATHAN ORTEGA (RAWSON): ATTENDANCE (2025)
JEAN ALABRE (GLOBAL): FLOATER (2025)
Second Perfect Attendance award are the following SSOs:
ALGENIS TORRES (BURR): ATTENDANCE (2nd, 2025)
PEDRO MERCADO (HTFD PREK BURNS): ATTENDANCE (2nd, 2025)
Receiving their Third Perfect Attendance awards are the following SSOs:
BIAJA WATTS (UNIVERSITY HIGH): ATTENDANCE (3rd, 2025)
JOSE COLON (RAWSON): ATTENDANCE (3rd, 2025)
IVAN TORRES (BURR): ATTENDANCE (3RD, 2025)*
FRIDA DEDA (GLOBAL): ATTENDANCE (3RD, 2025)
It takes dedication to receive Five Perfect Attendance awards:
KEVIN LONG (WEBSTER): ATTENDANCE (5th, 2025)*
SHAWN ALDERMAN (HMTCA): ATTENDANCE (5th, 2025)*
HYACINTH SMITH-FISHER (MLK): ATTENDANCE (5th, 2025) *
PETER SHON (BETANCES): ATTENDANCE (3rd, 2025)*
TOMMY WILLIAMS (BETANCES): ATTENDANCE (3rd, 2025)*
There is one person in our organization that has never called in sick since the establishment of this award and is receiving his Sixth Consecutive Perfect Attendance Award:
Resident Coordinator Eric Gauvin
10-YEAR COMMENDATION AWARD
The following received the 10-Year Commendation Award which recognizes 10 years of service as a School Safety Officer:
TYRONE WILLIAMS (BULKLELY NORTH)- 10 YEAR
BRANDON WOMACK (GLOBAL) – 10 YEAR
DOMINIQUE GARVEY (HARTFORD HIGH) – 10 YEAR
20-YEAR COMMENDATION AWARD
One Officer received the 20-Year Commendation Award which recognizes 20 years of service as a School Safety Officer:
KENNETH BERGER (BULKELEY NORTH) - 20 YEAR
30-YEAR COMMENDATION AWARD
JOSE MARTINEZ (BULKELEY SOUTH) - 30 YEAR
SAMMY ORTIZ (MD FOX) - 30 YEAR
The Exemplary Officer Award
The Exemplary Officer Award recognizes SSOs selected by their District Sergeants as embodying the standards of our organization. The award should reflect the three most valuable SSOs of each district who have not received discipline or used more than five sick days. Leadership, work ethic, and character are also important considerations in selection for this award. Three SSOs from each district were selected, for a total of nine SSOs:
2024 EXEMPLARY OFFICER AWARD (North)
EDWIN MERCED (WEAVER) – EXEMPLARY (2nd)
RAY SAWYER (WEAVER) - EXEMPLARY
MARKENE THORPE (RAWSON) – EXEMPLARY
2024 EXEMPLARY OFFICER AWARD (Central)
JOSE M. COLON (CLASSICAL) – EXEMPLARY
HECTOR PENA (CENTRAL OFFICE) - EXEMPLARY
PEDRO MERCADO (HARTFORD PRE K SOUTH) – EXEMPLARY
2024 EXEMPLARY OFFICER AWARD (South)
JEREMY MCELROY (NAYLOR) - EXEMPLARY
ROY BOMBACI (MOYLAN) – EXEMPLARY (2ND)
JESSENIA RAMOS (BULKELEY HIGH SCHOOL) – EXEMPLARY (2nd)
2025 EXEMPLARY OFFICER AWARD (North)
EDWIN MERCED (WEAVER) – EXEMPLARY (3rd)
JOSE COLON (RAWSON) – EXEMPLARY(4TH)
BIAJA WATTS (UNIVERSITY HIGH) – EXEMPLARY
2025 EXEMPLARY OFFICER AWARD (Central)
JAVIER LOPEZ (BURNS) – EXEMPLARY
PEDRO MERCADO (HARTFORD PRE K SOUTH) – EXEMPLARY(2nd)
GREGORY GENTRY (HPHS) – EXEMPLARY
2025 EXEMPLARY OFFICER AWARD (South)
JEREMY MCELROY (NAYLOR) – EXEMPLARY(2nd)
IVAN TORRES (BURR) – EXEMPLARY (2ND)
ROY BOMBACI (MOYLAN) – EXEMPLARY (3RD)
OFFICERS OF THE YEAR FROM PREVIOUS YEARS
HECTOR DONES: OFFICER OF THE YEAR 2013
VICTOR RODRIGUEZ: OFFICER OF THE YEAR 2014
KEVIN LONG: OFFICER OF THE YEAR 2015
MARIA RODRIGUEZ: OFFICER OF THE YEAR 2016
KATHY RODRIGUEZ: OFFICER OF THE YEAR 2019
JEREMY MCELROY: OFFICER OF THE YEAR 2020
TOMMY WILLIAMS: OFFICER OF THE YEAR 2021
ED MERCED: OFFICER OF THE YEAR 2022
MARKENE THORPE: OFFICER OF THE YEAR 2023
JOSE COLON: OFFICER OF THE YEAR 2024
Our Officers of the Year with Jessenia Ramos from Bulkeley High School South (left), who is our 2025 Officer of the Year!
Let’s share our congratulations to these officers for their excellent service to the City of Hartford.