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Darien Honors Youngest and Finest Heroes

On a night when the Darien Police Department honored its own for their service, they first stopped to award two children whose quick thinking saved the life of their babysitter. Tucker and Nina Stoops were granted plaques at the Darien Library on Thursday for calling 911 when their babysitter was unresponsive.

The children were all smiles as they were surrounded by cameras, police, emergency responders and members of the community who wished to congratulate them for acting so swiftly and bravely. Sgt. Jeremiah Marron said that, in a situation in which many adults would struggle to remain calm, Tucker and Nina were able to calmly remember what to do to get help.

"If you listen to the audio of the call, it is evident that Tucker is nervous but unruffled by the situation," Marron said. "They responded as they were taught, and it made the difference between life and death."

Later in the night, members of the Darien Police Department met at Giovanni's Steak House to award their own members for their service in 2009 and 2010. A total of 21 commendations, 10 lifesaving awards, seven outstanding performance awards, three outstanding service awards and two meritorious service awards were given for work in investigating burglaries, stepping in during emergency medical situations and cracking down on a scam involving fraudulent chimney repairs.

Nick Aranzullo received multiple awards for many investigations he carried out with the drug-sniffing dog Zulu, including one in which they found a man with a half-pound of marijuana and a sword.

Former Darien Police Officer Cliff DeForest was given a citizen's award for aiding the police department in a sting operation in which he posed as a consumer to trap a company that was overcharging for unnecessary chimney repairs.

Lt. Don Anderson said, "I would put our officers up against any department in the state of Connecticut. They are truly heroes."

How has the Darien Police Department helped you or your neighborhood? Share your stories in the comments below, on Facebook and on Twitter.

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