NORWICH — Detective Scott Dupointe received the New England Association of Chiefs of Police Medal of Valor during a Norwich Police Department awards ceremony at City Hall on Friday, October 23.
The award recognizes extraordinary heroism in the face of an imminent threat. Retired Norwich Police Chief Louis Fusaro Sr. presented it to Dupointe, according to The Day’s original report from the ceremony.
The recognition stems from an October 26, 2021 encounter in which Dupointe responded to reports of gunfire and came under attack from Andrew O’Lone, who was armed with an AR-15-style rifle and a 30-round magazine. Dupointe’s police SUV was struck repeatedly. He maneuvered the damaged cruiser, left the vehicle, returned fire and called for backup.
The Connecticut Office of Inspector General concluded in 2023 that Dupointe’s use of deadly force was justified. Neither Dupointe nor O’Lone was struck by gunfire during the encounter.
O’Lone was later found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect and committed to a psychiatric facility for 32 years, The Day reported. The newspaper said Police Chief Patrick Daley explained that the department waited until the court case was complete before publicly recognizing Dupointe.
Friday’s ceremony also honored other officers, dispatchers and department personnel for major investigations and difficult emergency responses. This report focuses on Dupointe’s medal and does not attempt to reproduce the full awards list.