Dispatchers in 2009 Armed Robbery Honored [VIDEO]

Some Stratford residents may remember Aug. 22, 2009 as the day when a trio of armed robbers attempted to steal $150,000 worth of jewelry from on Main Street.

Jeremy Moore, Carol Stosse and Michael Nealy will certainly never forget the date, because on that summer morning the three were working as dispatchers for the Stratford Police Department.

"The phones were all ringing off the hook," said Nealy, whose service as a dispatcher within the department stretches back to 2000.

Stosse remembers taking a call from an eyewitness who spotted the robbery while walking out of nearby 7-Eleven. She was able to keep the caller on the line and, in turn, guide police to one of the suspect's vehicles.

Stratford police Lt. Celeste Robitaille said she was working as dispatch supervisor on the day of the robbery. She said Moore, Stosse and Nealy handled dispatch to the crime scene, to the pursuit, to a home invasion by one of the robbers; they kept track of all officers, called in supervisors, and more.

"They kept composure throughout a chaotic scene," Robitaille said. "This is exceptional and shouldn't be overlooked."

And on Tuesday night at Stratford Town Hall, it wasn't overlooked. In fact, it was honored as Acting Police Chief Patrick Ridenhour presented Moore, Stosse and Nealy each with a certificate and a police chief's challenge coin.

Ridenhour said it was the efforts of the three dispatchers which led to all suspects in the robbery case being apprehended and subsequently prosecuted.

"This is the fun part of the job, when you really get to recognize people for their outstanding work and recognize citizens for helping the police department," he said. "That's really what this job at the end of the day is all about."

Editor's note: Ridenhour's presentation honoring the dispatchers followed a public safety committee meeting that was canceled due to lack of quorum.