Connecticut State Police mourns the passing of former Commissioner of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection as well as retired Major of the Connecticut State Police, Reuben Bradford. Commissioner Bradford died on Wednesday, September 22, 2021. Commissioner Bradford entered the State Police Training Academy in 1974 and retired from the State Police in 1996. During his career in the State Police, Commissioner Bradford held multiple assignments, including Troop F in Westbrook and as an instructor at the Training Academy. After his promotion to the rank of Sergeant in 1980, Commissioner Bradford was assigned to Troop I in Bethany, the Training Academy and Narcotics. Commissioner Bradford also held the ranks of Master Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain before being promoted to the rank of Major in 1992. At the time of his retirement in 1996, Commissioner Bradford was the Executive Officer of the Division of Fire, Explosion, and Building Services. In December of 2010, Governor Malloy nominated retired Major Bradford to be the Commissioner of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, where he served from April 5, 2011 until February 1, 2014. Commissioner Bradford was the first African-American to serve as the Commissioner of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
