The Ridgefield Police Department is a man down following the resignation of Lt. Craig Worster Feb. 10.
Police Capt. Jeff Kreitz said that the resignation was for personal reasons, and minutes from the police commission’s meeting on Feb. 12 cited family matters as the reason for the lieutenant’s resignation.
“The promotional process to fill the lieutenant’s position has begun,” Capt. Kreitz said. “The department will begin the hiring process soon.”
Commissioner Charlie Knoche motioned to accept the resignation at the Feb. 12 meeting and George Kain seconded the motion, which was passed unanimously.
Lt. Worster, a former member of the U.S. Army and Coast Guard, was promoted on Feb. 25, 2014.
He joined the force in October 2000; he received a letter of commendation from the chief in 2003. In 2007, he was named the police commission’s officer of the year and he was nominated for that same honor in 2010. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2012.
While on the force, Lt. Worster was also instrumental in implementing the Police Benevolent Association Shop With a Cop program that paid for Christmas presents and home goods for needy households with children.
He was among the officers who responded to a domestic violence call in Ridgebury that turned fatal when another officer shot and killed Ridgefielder John Valluzzo. The shooting was ruled justified by the state’s attorney.
With a degree in justice and law administration from WestConn, he trained officers in firearms and rifles, and handling driving-while-intoxicated incidents.
Lt. Worster did not respond to requests for comment for this story.