Off-Duty West Hartford Police Officer Honored for Saving Man’s Life

Published On: February 5, 2025Categories: Government, Police/Fire
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West Hartford Police Ofc. Kelly Shimo (left) was honored with a Life Saving Award by Torrington Police for her actions in saving the life of Anthony Maria (center) with the assistance of State Trooper Sierra Thibault (right). Courtesy photo

West Hartford Police Ofc. Kelly Shimo received a Life Saving Award from the City of Torrington for her actions in October 2024.

West Hartford Police Ofc. Kelly Shimo (fourth from left), joined by Chief Vernon Riddick and Assistant Chief Larry Terra as well as members of the State Police and Torrington Police, was honored with a Life Saving Award by Torrington Police for her actions in saving the life of Anthony Maria (center) with the assistance of State Trooper Sierra Thibault (fourth from right). Courtesy photo

By Ronni Newton

The quick action of an off-duty West Hartford Police officer during an incident last fall was praised by the Torrington Police Department as Ofc. Kelly Shimo was presented with a Life Saving Award at a ceremony on Wednesday.

Just before 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, Shimo was driving on Winsted Road in Torrington when she observed a blue Subaru Legacy “moving slowly in the middle of the road and drift to the opposite side of the road where it jumped the curb and came to rest against a tree,” according to Torrington Police.

Shimo immediately pulled over and ran to the Subaru where she observed that the operator – later identified as Anthony Maria of Torrington – appeared to be having a medical crisis. Shimo was unable to detect a pulse and immediately proceeded to get Maria out of the vehicle, assisted by his friend and fellow Torrington resident Robert Undari who was also at the scene.

Maria, who was in cardiac arrest, was placed on the ground, and Shimo, utilizing her emergency first aid training, began administering CPR.

State Trooper Sierra Thibault, of Troop “L” in Litchfield, was passing by the scene and immediately stopped and assisted Shimo by performing a few rounds of chest compressions. Thibault then administered artificial respirations with the use of a bag valve mask, while Shimo continued with chest compressions.

The CPR was effective, and Maria regained his pulse and regained consciousness.

Torrington Police and emergency crews arrived at the scene and ambulance personnel then took over Maria’s medical care and transported him to Charlotte Hungerford Hospital.

West Hartford Police Chief Vernon Riddick and Assistant Chief Larry Terra attended the award ceremony on Wednesday, along with Shimo, Thibault, and members of the State Police and Torrington Police departments.

The Life Saving Award presented to Shimo on Wednesday states:

“On behalf of the Honorable Mayor, Elinor Carbone, the Torrington Board of Public Safety, the Torrington community, and the Torrington Police Department, we are grateful to Office Shimo and Trooper Thibault who selflessly jumped into action to protect the lives of members of our community by rendering aid in a time of crisis.

“There is no doubt that Mr. Maria survived this medical emergency through the quick actions of both Officer Kelly Shimo and Trooper Sierra Thibault, and as a result of their heroic and professional actions, they are being recognized and honored for a job well done. Both Officer Kelly Shimo and Trooper Sierra Thibault’s performance are in the highest traditions of the Torrington Police Department and is therefore recognized in the issuance the issuance of this Life Saving Award for a job well done!!”

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