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

2

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.

3

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

4