PHOTOS: Greenwich Police Promote Six Men in Ceremony at GHS Performing Arts Center

Greenwich Police promoted six members of the department at a ceremony on Thursday in the Greenwich High School Performing Arts Center, which was ideal to accommodate the many friends and family members of the men, as well as numerous retired members of the force.

Also present were numerous town officials and former elected officials, including Selectperson Janet Stone McGuigan, State Representatives Steve Meskers, Hector Arzeno, Tina Courpas, State Senator Ryan Fazio, Town Clerk Jackie Budkins, BET members Eliot Alchek, Leslie Tarkington, Harry Fisher and David Weisbrod, Fire Chief Joe McHugh, Emergency Management Director Joe Laucella, Former State Senator Scott Frantz, former Selectwoman Penny Monahan and Selectman Drew Marzullo.

The event was hosted by Greenwich Police chief James Heavey and First Selectman Fred Camillo.

“It’s good to see some old friends here who have long since retired, but proudly wore the blue uniform for so many years and kept us safe,” Camillo said. “The main reasons why Greenwich continues to be the safest town in Connecticut and one of the safest in the country. And certainly they laid the groundwork for these gentlemen who are going to be promoted.”

Greenwich Police honor guard presented the flags at the outset of the promotion ceremony at Greenwich High School’s performing arts center. January 9, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager

Chief Heavey pointed out that, by chance, Thursday was Police Appreciation Day.

“And of all days we especially offer sincere thanks to the courageous men and women who dedicate themselves to protecting and serving Greenwich every day,” Heavey said. “You are the unselfish heroes who represent the best of our society, and those unrelenting sacrifices, with unwavering commitment that never go unnoticed.”

Heavey led a round of applause for rank-and-file officers, saying, “I will give the challenge to all of these newly promoted supervisors to motivate the troops because the retired officers outnumber us two-to-one, so we need to get our newer officers here to witness some of these important ceremonies.”

Heavey said that while the new Deputy Chief and Captain have very important positions in the chain of command, he wanted to recognize the new Lieutenants and Sergeants especially, for the tremendous impact they have as first line supervisors.

“They’re going to look at you as teachers and mentors. Remember, they’re going to be our future leaders, so be the supervisors that you would want to have,” Heavey said.

Deputy Chief Mark Zuccerella served as master of ceremonies the event, introducing each of the members of the police force being promoted. Jan 8, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager

Jim Bonney was promoted from Captain to the rank of Deputy Chief. Patrick Smyth was promoted from Lieutenant to Captain. Sergeant Daniel Bucci was promoted to Lieutenant. Sergeant Jason Lyman was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Detective Brian Perusse was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Marine Officer Andrew Greco was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Jan 9, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager

Captain Jim Bonney was promoted to Deputy Chief. Bonney became a Greenwich Police Officer in 1990 and has been a patrol officer and worked in “the accident car,” which is now called Master Patrol Officer.

In 1999 he was promoted to Sergeant and served in the patrol division. He also served as Marine Section Sergeant. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 2012, and was promoted to Captain in 2020.

He has been a supervisor in all divisions of the police department, including parking services and the public safety dispatch center.

He is a past member of the department’s special response unit team, was the Silver Shield president from 2004 to 2012, and is an EMT and instructor. He has also been a member of the honor guard since 2007, and is the current bagpiper for the department. Recently, he has headed up the department’s drone unit.

Over his 34 year career, Bonney has received numerous awards and commendations including Officer of the Year, for assisting a male subject who was unresponsive and providing CPR until medics arrived. Also, he was recognized for exceptional police duty and exceptional police medical service, including the Chief’s Commendation for intercepting a vehicle in a high speed chase on the Merritt Parkway that led to the arrest of a bank robbery suspect.

In his brief remarks, Deputy Chief Bonney said, “I appreciate all my loved ones and friends coming tonight. Everyone I care about is here. That really means a lot to me.”

“I want to do the best I can, work hard every day and make everyone proud,” Bonney added.

Greenwich Police Chief James Heavey places Deputy Chief Bonney’s new hat on his head, signifying his new rank. Jan 9, 2025 Photo James Bonney

Deputy Chief Jim Bonney’s daughter Kassidy and son William pin a badge to his uniform during a ceremony in the Greenwich High School performing arts center. Jan 9, 2025 Photo: James Bonney

Newly promoted Deputy Chief Jim Bonney thanks friends and family in the audience at the Greenwich High School performing arts center. Jan 9, 2025 Photo James Bonney

First Selectman Fred Camillo administers the oath to newly promoted Deputy Chief Jim Bonney. Jan 9, 2025  Photo: James Bonney

The crowd gave a round of applause for newly promoted Deputy Chief Jim Bonney. Jan 9, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager

After administering the oath, First Selectman Fred Camillo congratulates newly promoted Deputy Chief Jim Bonney. Jan 9, 2025  Photo: Leslie Yager

During a ceremony in the Greenwich High School performing arts center, Captain James Bonney was promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief. Jan 9, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager

Newly promoted Deputy Chief Bonney played the bagpipes at a reception in Byram after the ceremony. Jan 9, 2025 Photo: James Bonney

Lieutenant Patrick Smyth was promoted to Captain. He started his career in the New York City Police Dept before joining the Greenwich Police Dept in 1997. He was appointed as a Master Patrol Officer in 2010, and was promoted to Sergeant in 2012.

He was assigned to the role of Traffic Sergeant in 2017 where he led five officers and was the department’s expert on traffic matters.

He is also one of the department’s motorcycle officers.

In 2021, Smyth was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.

He has received numerous letters of commendation and appreciation for his empathy and professionalism. He was a recipient of the AAA Gold Award for Traffic Safety.

First Selectman Fred Camillo administers the oath to newly promoted Captain Patrick Smyth during a ceremony in the Greenwich High School performing arts center. Jan 9, 2025 Photo James Bonney

Police Chief Heavey places a new hat on Captain Patrick Smyth to reflect his new rank during a ceremony in the Greenwich High School performing arts center. Jan 9, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager

Patrick Smyth was promoted from Lieutenant to Captain in a ceremony in the Greenwich High School performing arts center. Jan 9, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager

During a ceremony in the Greenwich High School performing arts center, Patrick Smyth, promoted to Captain, was congratulated by First Selectman Fred Camillo who also serves as the police commissioner. Jan 9, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager

Patrick Smyth was promoted from Lieutenant to Captain in a ceremony in the Greenwich High School performing arts center. Jan 9, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager

Jim Bonney was promoted from Captain to the rank of Deputy Chief. Patrick Smyth was promoted from Lieutenant to Captain. Sergeant Daniel Bucci was promoted to Lieutenant. Sergeant Jason Lyman was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Detective Brian Perusse was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Marine Officer Andrew Greco was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Jan 9, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager

 

Sergeant Daniel Bucci was promoted to Lieutenant. He was hired by the Greenwich Police Dept in 2011, and appointed to the rank of Detective in 2017 and promoted to Sergeant in 2020. He is a Field Training Officer, State of Connecticut Certified Instructor, and is the head instructor for the department’s Women’s Self Defense Program.

Some of his training includes advanced interview and interrogation methods, supervisor in command leadership, crisis intervention, use of force and defensive tactics, and is one of the few officers nationwide certified by the Gracie University to teach Gracie’s Women’s Self Defense.

In January 2019, he was recognized for his efforts in identifying and arresting  a burglary suspect who had committed over 15 burglaries around the state of Connecticut.

In July 2021, Bucci was awarded officer of the month for the life-saving measures for preventing a person intending committing self-harm and has received several letters of commendation and recognition including for a robbery investigation where he coordinated with investigators from New York and New Jersey into to individuals who were arrested in multiple jurisdictions.

Police Chief Heavey places a new hat on Lieutenant Daniel Bucci during a ceremony on the Greenwich High School performing arts center. Jan 9, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager.

Sergeant Daniel Bucci was promoted to Lieutenant. during a ceremony on the Greenwich High School performing arts center. Jan 9, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager

 

First Selectman Fred Camillo administers the oath to newly promoted Lieutenant Jason Lyman during a ceremony in the Greenwich High School performing arts center. Jan 9, 2025 Photo James Bonney

Sergeant Jason Lyman was promoted Lieutenant. He was sworn in as a Greenwich Police officer in 2007 and was promoted to Sergeant in 2017. During his career Lyman has been a field training officer, a member of the crisis intervention team, and a peer program leader. In fact he is one of the officers who created the program.

Lt Lyman has received numerous divisional  letters of recognition, divisional letters of commendation, and has received a life saving award for CPR in 2023, which resulted in the town recognizing May 14th as Jason Lyman Day.

Newly promoted Lieutenant Jason Lyman thanked friends and family during a ceremony in the Greenwich High School performing arts center. Jan 9, 2025 Photo Leslie Yager

 

Detective Brian Perusse was promoted to the rank of Sergeant at a ceremony at Greenwich High School’s performing arts center on Jan 9, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yage

Detective Brian Perusse was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He started with the Greenwich Police Dept in 2004 and was promoted to detective in 2014. He has been a member of the department’s special response unit, domestic violence unit, and is a field training officer.

Some of his Sergeant Perusse’s training includes field training officer, SWAT training,, advanced crimes and processing, and advanced interview and interrogation.

He is a three-time officer of the month and has received numerous letters of recognition and commendation for his work, such as the apprehension of several bank robbery suspects, a homicide suspect, as well as locating a vehicle involved in a hit and run that resulted in the apprehension of the person responsible.

Marine Officer Andrew Greco was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Jan 9, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager

 

Marine Officer Andrew Greco, a Greenwich native, was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He became a Greenwich Police Officer in 2013 and has worked as a police officer just shy of 10 years has recently been serving as one of the department’s Marine Officers. Some of his training includes attending the Milford Police Academy, ice rescue and numerous training classes in the marine division operations, interview and interrogation, ARIDE which is related to driving while intoxicated classes, and crisis intervention.

He has also been the recipient of numerous awards and letters of recognition some of which include the Officer of the Month, Officer of the Quarter, and Officer of the Year in 2016, divisional letters of recognition and exceptional medical service awards, and countless letters of thanks from residents.