Gerri Roberts installed as the Club's first women president Law ...
Transcript of Gerri Roberts installed as the Club's first women president Law ...
Gerri Roberts installed as the Club’s
first women president
After experiencing firsthand the grief from the loss of a
family member in the line of duty Gerri Roberts joined
The Hundred Club. On September 11, 2001 Gerri’s
cousin, NYFD Battalion Chief Richard Prunty, died while
trying to rescue people from the north tower of the
World Trade Center.
Since joining, Gerri has been very active in Club activities having moved up to the
board of directors before being nominated and elected as president for.2014. Wil-
liam Sydenham, manager of the Club describes her as “an outstanding person
with deep affection and interest for the Club and it’s mission. She is a very com-
mitted person to whatever she gets involved with. She brings a wonderful set of
skills to the organization”.
The President’ gavel was passed to Gerri at the Club’s annual meeting on Octo-
ber 29, 2013 at the Sheraton Hartford South in Rocky Hill. During her acceptance
remarks she expressed her gratitude for being given the opportunity to lead the
Club, stating she considered it “an honor to be President”. I follow in the footsteps
of some great people and we have a wonderful board of men and women.”
Gerry attended the University of Hartford and St. Joseph College. She obtained
her law degree from Western New England School of Law. She is very familiar
with life in public service having family members in both the fire and police service
including her husband John Brymer former Middletown Police Chief, her cousin
and son. She has also been involved in public service having worked 36 years for
the state Department of Developmental Services. Additionally she
has served in public office in the Town of Wethersfield since
1994. She has been on both the board of education and was
recently reelected to the town council.
Law enforcement line of duty deaths decline in 2013
Statistics compiled for the year 2013 show a continued decline over past years. 105 officers died in the line of duty in 2013, a decrease of 8% from the previous year, according to data compiled by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. That number in-cludes 9 corrections officers.
Automobile related incidents (accidents, pursuits, and assaults) accounted for 46 deaths. An addi-tional 32 deaths were the result of gunfire. Other causes included; air-craft accidents, boating accidents, bomb, drownings, fires and falls. Ten officers succumbed to heart attacks during the performance of their duties.
Of those who died, 101 were male and 4 female, having completed an average of 13 years 9 months of service.
Save The Date
THE HUNDRED CLUB OF CT
Edward J. Funk Memorial 2014
Golf Tournament
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
See Page 4 for details or visit the
Website: www.hundredclub of ct.org
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2014 Directors and Officers presented at the Annual Meeting and Luncheon
The Sheraton Hartford South Hotel in
Rocky Hill was, once again, the site
for the Annual Meeting and Luncheon
Held on October 29, 2013.
A crowd of over 200 members and
guests attended. WVIT 30 News An-
chor Gerry Brooks graciously agreed
to serve as Master of Ceremonies.
The event started with the introduc-
tion of the past and present directors
of the Club followed by a presentation
of the flag by a State Police Piper and
the State Police Color Guard.
Detective Kristina Lapak of the Nor-
walk Police Department sang the
national anthem followed by a
moment of silence for those lost in
the line of duty.
Outgoing President Bernie Sullivan,
after acknowledging the spouses and
family of “Our fallen heroes”, ex-
pressed his gratitude for having had
the opportunity to serve as president
for two terms. Bernie introduced in-
coming president Gerri Roberts and
presented her The President’s Gavel.
.
Governor Dannel P. Malloy addresses
Annual Luncheon attendees.
President Roberts addressed the
gathering thanking Bernie Sullivan for
his service to the club, presenting him
with a certificate of appreciation She
went on to address the gathering by
thanking everyone for attending.
In her remarks Gerri recognized the
tremendous sacrifice first responders
have made in giving their lives in ser-
vice to the citizens of Connecticut.
She went on to outline the objectives
of her term to make the public more
aware of the Club and it’s mission and
to increase club membership.
Keynote speaker Gov. Dannel P. Mal-
loy took the podium. In his remarks
Governor Malloy acknowledged the
work of the Club.
Having lost an uncle, a police officer
in Stamford, in the line of duty he not-
ed the impact that loss had on his
aunt and other family members.
The governor stated that during his
term five major disasters have taken
place in Connecticut. He related that
he has witnessed and was very im-
pressed with the valor, strength and
wisdom displayed by first responders
during those events.
Governor Malloy expressed his grati-
tude to all those first responders to
the Sandy Hook tragedy, noting the
bravery displayed by those who were
dispatched to the incident not know-
ing what they were responding to,
witnessing the carnage that took
place and the courage and strength
they displayed in a most difficult case.
The governor acknowledged that
government “can’t do it all” and
thanked the Club for its work in
helping the families of those lost in
the line of duty.
Firefighter fatalities total
107 during 2013
The Federal Emergency Management
Agency reports that 107 fire service
personnel were killed in the line of
duty during 2013. More complete
statistics were not available at the
time of this writing but it is important
to note that 19 firefighters, members
of the Prescott, Arizona Fire Depart-
ment tragically lost while battling a
wildfire near their hometown.
For more information visit:
www.://http.//apps/usfa.fema.gov/
Law Enforcement Memorial Foundations honors our fallen heroes
The twenty-first annual dinner for the
Connecticut Police Chiefs Law En-
forcement Memorial Foundation was
held at the Aqua Turf Club in South-
ington on May 5, 2014.
Hundred Club past president Bernie
Sullivan served as master of ceremo-
nies for the event.
Southington Police Department pro-
vided the Honor Guard accompanied
by Connecticut State Police bagpipes.
Officer Kristina Kapak of the Norwalk
Police Department sang the National
Antherm
Retired Commissioner James “Skip”
Thomas welcomed attendees.
John Fenton, son of Hartford Police
Officer Francis X. Fenton, addressed
attendees honoring his father’s
memory. Officer Fenton was fatally
shot on March 28, 1969 while
attempting to intervene with an armed
suspect.
Chief State’s Attorney Kevin T. Kane
was the keynote
speaker for the
event.
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Scenes from the Annual Meeting
Norwalk Detective Kristina Lapak sings the National Anthem
as the Connecticut State Police Honor Guard presents the
colors
President Bernie Sullivan passes the gavel to incoming
President Gerri Roberts.
Directors and board members past and present are recognized for their contributions to the Club
President Roberts shares the moment with “Mrs. A” Ada Ustjanauskas. Anthony, “Mr. A” Ustjanauskas, Ada & her husband, started our club in 1967.
Attendees listen intently to the day’s proceedings
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