Before a standing-room-only crowd, Greenwich First Selectman-cum-Police Commissioner, Peter Tesei issued the oath of office to two veteran police officers who were promoted. Timothy D. Berry was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, and Police Officer John Rodriguez was promoted to Sergeant, filling the spot Tim Berry vacated. Coincidentally, both officers are from California.
Chief David Ridberg, who presided at the 45 minute ceremony, told the crowd comprised of family, fellow officers, Town officials, and well-wishers, of the outstanding achievement of both officers. Monsignor Frank C. Wissel, pastor of St. Mary’s Church and a police chaplain, gave the invocation. The Greenwich Police Silver Shield Honor Guard, presented and retired the colors, and Rev. Daniel F. Hickman, another police chaplain and also a retired Greenwich Police officer, gave the invocation.
Lt. Berry, 43, is the father of four: Jacob, age 15; Mitchell, 10; Nicole, 7; and, Toby, 5. His partner in that undertaking is his bride of 20 years, Kathy (nee Zygmont) Berry, who is known at St. Mary’s parish as the ring-leader for the “Moms and Munchkins” program. Lt. Berry’s parents Douglas Berry and Nancy Berry were on hand for the ceremony, as were his in-laws and other relatives.
He attended Michigan State University, and was hired by the GPD in March 1988, graduating the Connecticut Police Academy in June of that year. He has held numerous special positions within the GPD, including working the Accident Car during which assignment he took extra trainings in “At-Scene Crash Investigation”, “Advanced Crash Investigation”, “Traffic Crash Reconstruction”, Motor Vehicle – Motorcycle Accidents”, and “Motor Vehicle – Pedestrian/Bicycle Accidents.”
In 1995 he became a Field Training Officer, and was promoted to Sergeant in 2001. Two years later he was given his current assignment as Commander of the Traffic Section where he reported to all three Captains at the time: then-Captain Ridberg, Captain Michael Pacewicz (retired), and Captain Michael D’Angelo (retired). At the ceremony Lt. Berry credited the three with providing many opportunities for him as a sergeant.
Lt. Berry also is a graduate of the Fairfield County Detective School, the Narcotic Investigators School, and the “Managing a Selective Traffic Enforcement” program. He served as an officer of the local police union, the Silver Shield Association — first as its as Vice President 2001 and 2002, and then as its President 2003 and 2004. During the ceremony, the Chief quipped that it was remarkable that a union leader and police management were on such good terms.
Notably, Lt. Berry is a double recipient of one of GPD’s most prestigious and coveted awards, the Dr. John J. Clarke Award – receiving it in 1994 and again in 2006. He has numerous Letters of Commendation and appreciation in his personnel jacket, and four ribbons of Commendation / Meritorious Police Duty Medals. On top of this all, twice he resuscitated people whose heart stopped, earning him two “AED Save awards.”
Sgt. John Rodriguez grew up in California, but was born in Medellin, Colombia in 1966 to Luis and Maria Rodriguez. In California he attended Mayfair High School, in Lakewood. He earned his associates degree in Business Management and Accounting, at the Westchester Business Institute – a fact which caused Chief Ridberg to remark, “I should have had you on the budget team this year.”
Sgt. Rodriguez served in the U.S. Army from 1984 through 1991 (3 years active duty followed by 4 years National Guard duty). Prior to joining GPD, he worked at the Putnam Trust Company. Commissioner Tesei, himself a Putnam alum, told the crowd that he worked side-by-side with John Rodriquez in what was known as “the cage” in the bank’s operations center.
For the past 16 years, John Rodriguez has served in the GPD patrol division, and is currently assigned to the Accident car, for accident investigation. He is a Field Training Officer, an Emergency Medical Technician, is certified in “ice rescue” and is qualified to be an emergency service dispatcher. He has received a Unit Citation and Letter of Commendation. He is a member of AMVETS (American Veterans) and NYSCA (National Youth Sports Coaches Association).
The chief commented that Sgt. Rodriguez is one of the three or four people the chief has known in his 25 years at GPD who is universally liked by everyone in the agency. Chief Ridberg also paid both Sgt. Rodriguez and Lt. Berry what the chief said was his highest compliment: “When I ask them to do something I know it will get done.
First Seletman Peter Tesei at Town Hall administers oath of office to Lt. Timothy Berry, with Police Chief David Ridberg looking on.
