Veteran Avenue Traffic Officer Dies

Veteran Greenwich Police Officer James 'Jim' Genovese died of a massive heart attack late Tuesday.

In a prepared statement, the Greenwich Police Department, said, "Chief David Ridberg and the Greenwich Police Department are greatly saddened to announce the sudden death of active-duty Police Officer James "Jim" Genovese, aged 44. Officer Genovese was a 20-year, 6-month veteran of the Department assigned to the Patrol Division."

According to police, Genovese died at approximately 10:20 p.m., Tuesday, at the Westchester County Medical Center in Valhalla, NY, after a medical episode at his home on Sunday.

Officer Genovese had not been previously diagnosed with any ailments or conditions and his passing was both sudden and unexpected, Greenwich Police said in a prepared statement.

Genovese was a graduate of Iona College in New Rochelle, NY holding a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and is survived by his wife and their five-year old daughter.

Officer Genovese became well known to many residents since his assignment to full-time traffic control duties at the intersection of Havemeyer Place and Greenwich Avenue upon the retirement of Officer Hubert Salamon in 2005. During his career he was decorated for bravery and his personnel file includes letters of gratitude and commendation. Genovese was cross-trained as an emergency dispatcher and has spent time assigned to the CT-POST Academy teaching recruit officers about effective traffic direction, according to police.

Before his assignment to Arch Street and Havemeyer Place at Greenwich Avenue, Genovese was a familiar fixture on Greenwich Avenue at East and West Elm streets.

In his statement, Ridberg also said, "(Jim) was a credit to our department and the profession of law enforcement. He will be sorely missed by us all. At the request of his wife, donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to the American Heart Association or American Cancer Society."

In a release Wednesday night issued by the department, funeral arrangements
include viewing hours from 3 to 5 p.m., and 6:30 to 9 p.m., Friday, March 25  at Castiglione's Funeral Home, 134 Hamilton Ave., Greenwich, CT.

A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, March 26 at St. Mary Church, 178 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich. Burial information was not provided.

In lieu of flowers, Officer Genovese's family request donations be made to American Heart Association or American Cancer Society.