Crime & Safety

Somers Resident State Trooper Retiring But Not Going Away

Trooper Richard Roethlein is retiring as a state trooper, but will return to town as a part time constable.

For Resident State Trooper Richard Roethlein, being in law enforcement has been a way of life. Come June, things will change, albeit not too drastically.

Roethlein will retire from the Connecticut State Police after serving for more than 25 years, but he'll only be leaving the profession for a few weeks.

Roethlein, who has been a for 20 years, will be returning to Somers as a constable.

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“I have always felt blessed working in Somers,” he said. “The town and the people have always been good to me and the resident trooper program. However, one should know when it is time to down shift. I believe being a part-time constable keeps my hand in police work and won’t be as demanding as being a trooper. Part-time status also gives me more time to spend with my family.”

With the change of position comes a reduction in pay, but that’s not something that causes Roethlein concern.

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“As far as a pay cut, money is not everything,” he said. “I always felt the more money you make, the more money you spend. I already feel wealthier knowing I can spend more time with my family.”

Sgt. Jose Claudio has worked with Roethlein for about 10 years and said that Roethlein has been in town the longest of the resident state troopers and is the most senior member of the office.

Claudio considers Roethlein as “a great cop.”

“He’s very knowledgeable,” Claudio said. “He knows the town very well and knows all the people in town. Losing him was something that we didn’t want to happen."

"It was a great situation because it worked out that he was willing to come back as a part-timer," Claudio said of Roethlein's decision to return to the department as a constable. "That’s something that I think is a big benefit to us because we get to keep him around and all his experience, and certainly at a cost savings to the town. I like to tease him and tell him that as along as long as he’s able-bodied and can get out of his car in a hurry, we’ll keep him around.”

The arrangement will work for all parties involved, as Roethlein is looking to step back a little and the town is looking to build up its part time force a bit.

“Bringing him on as a part-timer, we want to build up our part-time force because it’s a big help,” Claudio said. “And it’s obviously less expensive for the cost of the trooper, but they’re able to provide a valuable service because most of them are either retired troopers or retired officers and pretty much can provide the same service on a part time basis.”

First Selectwoman Lisa Pellegrini said that when she first learned that Roethlein was retiring, she was dismayed, but was then delighted to find out that there was the possibility of him working as a part time constable.

“After the details were worked out, it was determined that this scenario can be nothing short of a slam-dunk for the town,” Pellegrini said. “I look forward to being able to continue to have him here in town, protecting our community and serving as a true community police officer. He has been an asset to the Town of Somers and has served as an exceptional resident state trooper with the utmost integrity, bravery and fairness.”   


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