Two members of the West Hartford Police Department were honored at a promotional ceremony on July 19, 2024.

By Ronni Newton

Capt. Daniel Moffo was the emcee for Friday’s West Hartford Police Department Promotional Ceremony – taking on that role because the person has been in that position for the past several years was instead sitting in the audience preparing to be one of the honorees.

On July 19, family, friends, and colleagues celebrated the promotions of Lt. Amanda Martin, who as the department’s public information officer has traditionally been the emcee of swearing-in and promotional ceremonies, and Sgt. William Norton.

Martin, who was born and raised in Rowley, Massachusetts, is a 2005 graduate of Triton Regional High School and a 2010 graduate of the University of Connecticut where she was a scholarship athlete in track and field as well as softball, co-captained the track and field team for two years, and earned a bachelor’s degree in nutritional science.

Asst. Chief Larry Terra, who shared biographical information about both honorees, noted that Martin began her career in public service when she was hired by the West Hartford Police Department in August 2010, and she was selected as class sergeant of the police academy.

Martin spent seven years in the Patrol Division, and became a Field Training Officer and earned unit citations as well as a merit award and a life-saving award. She is also a certified police bicycle officer, use of force instructor, body worn camera instructor, POST training accreditation assessor, physical fitness assessment examiner, member of the Honor Guard and PEER Support Team, and leads the Crisis Negotiation Team. She has also graduated from the Capitol Region SWAT school.

Martin was Conard High School’s resource officer from May 2017 through November 2020, when she was promoted to sergeant, and members of the Conard staff were at Friday’s ceremony to honor her.

Since her promotion, Martin has served as the administrative sergeant and has led the Community Relations Division, including serving in the role of public information officer. She was selected by her peers as the Exchange Club’s Police Officer of the Year in 2023.

Norton has lived in West Hartford since the age of 7, and attended Duffy Elementary School, Sedgwick Middle School, and is a graduate of Conard High School. He earned his Eagle Scout rank, and was a member of the West Hartford Police Explorer Program.

Norton started his public safety career with the New Britain Fire Department in 2000, and after three years as a firefighter he joined the South Windsor (CT) Police Department, serving two and a half years in the Patrol Division where he received two lifesaving awards – including one for resuscitating an unconscious firefighter at a house fire – before returning to his hometown to join the West Hartford Police Department in May 2006.

His career in West Hartford has including serving in the Patrol Division, Detective Division, Traffic Division, and as a beat officer, member of the SWAT team, Field Training Officer, and in the Training Division where he provided instruction in CPR and patient medical care. Norton, who has a bachelor’s degree in business administration, also has an associate’s degree in nursing and is currently working to complete his bachelor’s in nursing.

In West Hartford, Norton has also been awarded two unit citations (for participating in the capture of a murder suspect and two home invasion suspects), a merit award, and a West Hartford Fire Department Lifesaving Award for helping resuscitate a tennis player who collapsed.

Town Manager Rick Ledwith said he asked Chief Vernon Riddick after a promotional ceremony just a few weeks ago, “When is Amanda [Martin] going to take that next step in her leadership career?” Riddick laughed, he said, and replied, “Soon.”

“I know I can speak on behalf of all of our town colleagues … our Town Council, our Board of Education, and our community – we could not be happier and more proud of Lt. Martin on assuming this next step in her career,” Ledwith said.

Ledwith said he has known Norton for a long time and collaborated with him on three contracts, and “I’ve known for many years that you should be in this role, and we are equally as thrilled for you to be taking on this next step in your leadership career with West Hartford,” he said.

“Strong leadership is critical to meeting the public safety needs of our town,” said Ledwith. “It’s not necessarily about the title but it is about setting an example, guiding others with integrity, and making decisions that uphold the values and mission of our department.” Ledwith said both Martin and Norton are ready to take that on.

Riddick quoted elevation speaker Tim Grover: “Everything is easier when you stop expecting it to be easy. … When you’re good you learn, when you’re great you begin to understand, but when you’re unstoppable then you are a master.”

Both Martin and Norton, he said, have decided to sacrifice their personal schedules for these new positions, which requires them to go on rotation, for the betterment of the organization.

He expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to both for making that decision and for bringing their knowledge and expertise to new positions, to sacrifice to help the department, noting, “We will strive for mastery. Success is never final and we sill never stop trying to get better and better.”

Ledwith administered the oath office, and Martin was pinned by her young daughter, as well as her wife and son, while Norton was pinned by his girlfriend.

Pastor Eric Peoples gave the invocation.

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