Once again local law enforcement has gone above and beyond the call of duty to support those in need.

   The annual Penguin Plunge took place March 20, 2011 in Middlebury Connecticut at the Lake Qussapaug Amusement Park.

   Trooper Anthony Cipriano took the lead of Woodlands mission to raise as much money as possible money for the Special Olympics.

   Tpr. (Trooper) Cipriano has been running the Woodland portion of the Penguin Plunge for three years.

   Each year Cipriano passes out signup sheets that include a docket for a fifty dollar donation, either from the participant or from donations they can acquire through family members, friends, or neighbors.

   The goal is to raise as much money as possible and get as many participants as possible in support of the Special Olympics.

   “Ive been involved with the Special Olympics for about fiteen years now,” said Cipriano.

   The Penguin Plunge does bring in a lot of the Ciprianos main Special Olympics support, but it’s not the only event he runs.

   Each year Tpr. Cipriano runs the Tip a Cop program, the Cop on Top program, a fundraiser basketball game, Adopt a mile, and the Torch Run event.

   The Tip a Cop program is when local restaurants and stores ask for small donations which go directly to the Special Olympics.

   Another major fundraiser is the yearly Torch Run event.

   This is a country wide event run by police officers and Departments that brings in lots of money.

   During the Torch Run a Special Olympics torch is run through every town in each state by volunteers, civilians and police officers alike.

   Each police department in Connecticut will make a small donation to the Special Olympics and the highest donating departments will have their department names on the back of the annual Torch Run t-shirts.

   “Last year [with each of the events combined] I brought about 13,000 dollars for the Special Olympics,” stated Cipriano.

   With Cipriano representing the Connecticut State Police and Woodland Regional High School at the Plunge, the Waterbury Police Department came out in force, bringing along a slew of their Police Cadets.

   The Police Cadets, a Cadet run program overseen by law enforcement advisors, directed traffic and interacted with the Special Olympic supporters.

   The Waterbury Police Department brought out their mobile Command Post and a motorcycle unit to put on display.

   The Naugatuck Police Explorer Post was also on hand for the event.

   “Naugatuck’s effort is also headed up by local law enforcement,” said Cipriano.

   Other Police Departments made significant contributions and supported local efforts to raise money for the Special Olympics.

   Local Fire Departments also came out and supported the effort.

   Three firefighters got geared up and went into the water for the entire event, acting as life guards and removing roving packs of ice.

    An ambulance was on standby in case anybody came down with hypothermia or had any trouble swimming.

    The 2011 Penguin Plunge was another success for Cipriano, the Special Olympics, and Law Enforcement.

   Thousands of dollars have been raised to help support the Special Olympics through the efforts and contributions of State Troopers like Cipriano, local Law Enforcement, and the general public.