HARTFORD, CT — Connecticut State Police Sergeant Rodney Valdes has been recognized with the “Officer Paul Buchanan Memorial Peer Support Award” by the Connecticut Alliance to Benefit Law Enforcement (CABLE), honoring his unwavering commitment to officer wellness and peer advocacy.
According to the Connecticut State Police, Sgt. Valdes “met the award criteria of CABLE: someone who has demonstrated diligence & perseverance in serving others, and whose service is above what is normally required or expected of a peer; someone who contributed significantly to the mission and advancement of peer support in the past year.”
Sgt. Valdes has led the S.T.O.P.S. Unit—State Police Offering Peer Support—for four years, overseeing members of the support team embedded within the agency.
The unit is dedicated to providing psychological and emotional assistance to officers dealing with the strains of law enforcement service.
CABLE’s recognition highlights Valdes’s sustained dedication to internal support systems within the department.
The agency commended his leadership, noting that he “has continually displayed a commitment to assisting others.”
The award, named in memory of Officer Paul Buchanan, honors those who elevate the role of peer support beyond traditional expectations.
“Congratulations, Sgt. Valdes!” the agency stated, marking the occasion with public appreciation and formal acknowledgment.
