By Patrick McNamee
Special Correspondent
December 18, 2007
NORWALK - The Norwalk Police Department honored four of its own yesterday for their roles in apprehending a convicted felon carrying a loaded handgun and drugs.
Officers William Curwen, Maggie Thompson, Michael Bauer and Paul Larsen were named officers of the month for November thanks to their teamwork and handling of what could have been a dangerous situation.
On Nov. 27, police responded to complaints that Kevin Crosley, 25, was one of several people selling drugs at the Washington Village public housing complex in South Norwalk.
Larsen was the first on the scene, and as he went to arrest Crosley for trespassing, the suspect fled through Ryan Park.
"I know that we have a lot of officers in South Norwalk, especially on foot patrol," Larsen said. "As soon I saw the direction he was running in, I called it in on the radio, and from there it was good radio work and a team effort."
Thompson was the first to spot Crosley running down Henry Street, trying to duck under a large box truck.
"At that point, I didn't realize he had a weapon on him, but when I saw him reach under the truck, I realized he did and I knew I had to pull him out," Thompson said.
Thompson, Curwen and Bauer, with the help of Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents who happened to be in the area, found the truck and helped to pull Crosley out and subdue him. Neither Crosley nor any of the officers were injured in the pursuit and capture.
"It was really all about teamwork," Thompson said. "We're all senior officers and we work well together."
Crosley was found to have a loaded semi-automatic handgun, small bags of marijuana packaged for sale, 3 grams of cocaine and $342 in small bills.
"It's really an honor for all of us," Larsen said. "I've been on the force for 21 years and it's the first time I've been honored, it is indeed an honor."
Crosley was charged with multiple crimes and is held on $150,000 bail.
"It's just something we all do in a day's work," Bauer said.
Copyright © 2007, Southern Connecticut Newspapers, Inc.