Det. John Knoche, 32, a veteran of the department since 2007, was promoted to the rank of sergeant. Sgt. Jeff Raines, 44, who has been serving Ridgefield since 2004, was promoted to lieutenant. —Dick Aarons/Ridgefield Police photo
It wasn’t the Great Wall of China that let barbarian hordes through, Rabbi Jon Haddon told Ridgefield Police Department officers during their promotions June 4.
It was the bribe-taking gatekeepers of the wall who let the horsemen pass, Haddon said, in his short speech about the importance of integrity during the swearing-in ceremonies.
“Our officers don’t have to be taught integrity, honesty and commitment,” Haddon said of the officers, whose families attended the ceremony at headquarters.
Det. John Knoche, 32, a veteran of the department since 2007, was promoted to the rank of sergeant.
Sgt. Jeff Raines, 44, who has been serving Ridgefield since 2004, was promoted to lieutenant.
“You are our gatekeepers,” Haddon, a department chaplain, told the officers, who were sworn in with raised right hands by Town Clerk Barbara Serfilippi.
Their wives pinned the new badges on them.
“We pray they may be faithful agents who serve justice,” said the Rev. Bill Pfohl, department chaplain.
The ceremony’s timing came at 10 a.m., just as there was a call for a search when people reported seeing a man with a gun.
A couple of high ranking officers had to rush out to the scene. Chief John Roche told the families gathered that that is an example of the commitment of being a ranking officer.
“The police rush in, when there’s a call, and the ranking officers usually go in first,” Roche said.
The report of the man with the gun turned out to be unfounded. The ceremony concluded with the families congratulating each other and eating cake.
Lt. Raines has been in law enforcement more than 14 years. Prior to serving in Ridgefield, he served with the New Fairfield Police Department from 2001 to 2004. Lt. Raines is a member of the department’s Honor Guard, is a department instructor and a also Field Training Officer.
He was recognized as the 2010 Ridgefield Police Department officer of the Year, and has received the Mother’s Against Drunk Driving award seven times for his efforts combating drunk driving. He has received multiple commendation letters.
Sgt. Knoche was born and raised in Ridgefield. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Roger Williams University in 2006 and recently received his Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Sacred Heart University.
Sgt. Knoche is a member of the department’s Honor Guard, is a Field Training Officer and a department instructor. He was recognized as the 2012 Ridgefield Police Department Officer of the Year, and received the Mother’s Against Drunk Driving award for his efforts combating drunk driving. He has received multiple commendation letters.
There are currently 41 officers, from the chief down, in the department.
The department is in the process of filling an officer position.
The last promotions were in February 2014.
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