WTNH News Channel 8 / News / 1999

	State Lawmaker Found Dead from Apparent Suicide (Brookfield-WTNH) _ A Connecticut State Lawmaker and police officer was found dead in a cemetery Tuesday morning from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. 30 year old Scott Santa-Maria was found dead at Central Cemetery in Brookfield about 7:30 this morning. He suffered what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest. Public Safety Commissioner Dr Henry Lee said Santa-Maria's body was found next to his best friend's grave. The two went to the University of Connecticut together. The friend died in 1988. Police were called to the scene by Santa-Maria's sister. He had left a very personal message on her voice-mail telling her that police should go to the cemetery, where they could find his body. Police say he did not use his service revolver. He used a personal weapon. Santa-Maria was a lifelong Brookfield Resident, and was also a police officer in the town of Bethel. The Bethel Police chief says he served for 11 years and received several awards, including the national Silver Star for bravery, and police officer of the year. He was also a volunteer firefighter and foster father. Friends and co-workers are in shock. Chief Jeff Finch, Bethel Police Dept. "Well, we're very disappointed. Scott has a lot of friends there, and people that feel very close to him and they are very hurt by this." Bonnie Smith, Brookfield 1st Selectwoman: "I watched him grow up then become a collegue of mine. I was very pleased to work with him. A true friend to everyone he befriended." Leanne Delaney, Family Friend: "He's been a good father-figure for my brothers. He's always helped us out, and he's always been there for all of us, all 7 of us." Flags were flying at half-staff at the state capitol Tuesday. Chief Capitol Correspondent Mark Davis says Santa-Maria was involved in several major stories at the capitol over the past several years. He was an outspoken source for the scandal involving the purchases of surplus military equipment by the Connecticut State Police. That scandal led to the retirement of two police commissioners. Santa-Maria was largely liked and respected at the capitol, and was considered a good state representative. He was first elected to the House in 1994. Rep. Ernie Newton, (D)-Bridgeport: "I was talking to him yesterday..." Christina Hager: "Did anything seem wrong?" Rep Newton: "Not to me. He was the same cheerful self. It's a tragedy." Governor John Rowland praised Santa-Maria, saying "he approached his work as a state representative and as a police officer with determination. He was a strong advocate on behalf of his constituents. It is a tragedy that he has been taken from us at such a young age." Today's News Page. WTNH Home Page. ©1999 WTNH/WTNH-DT A LIN station.

State Lawmaker Found Dead from Apparent Suicide
Santa-Maria (Brookfield-WTNH) _ A Connecticut State Lawmaker and police officer was found dead in a cemetery Tuesday morning from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

30 year old Scott Santa-Maria was found dead at Central Cemetery in Brookfield about 7:30 this morning. He suffered what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest.

Public Safety Commissioner Dr Henry Lee said Santa-Maria's body was found next to his best friend's grave. The two went to the University of Connecticut together. The friend died in 1988.

Cemetery scene Police were called to the scene by Santa-Maria's sister. He had left a very personal message on her voice-mail telling her that police should go to the cemetery, where they could find his body. Police say he did not use his service revolver. He used a personal weapon.

Santa-Maria was a lifelong Brookfield Resident, and was also a police officer in the town of Bethel. The Bethel Police chief says he served for 11 years and received several awards, including the national Silver Star for bravery, and police officer of the year. He was also a volunteer firefighter and foster father. Friends and co-workers are in shock.

Chief Jeff Finch, Bethel Police Dept. "Well, we're very disappointed. Scott has a lot of friends there, and people that feel very close to him and they are very hurt by this."

Bonnie Smith, Brookfield 1st Selectwoman: "I watched him grow up then become a collegue of mine. I was very pleased to work with him. A true friend to everyone he befriended."

Leanne Delaney, Family Friend: "He's been a good father-figure for my brothers. He's always helped us out, and he's always been there for all of us, all 7 of us."

Flags were flying at half-staff at the state capitol Tuesday.

Chief Capitol Correspondent Mark Davis says Santa-Maria was involved in several major stories at the capitol over the past several years. He was an outspoken source for the scandal involving the purchases of surplus military equipment by the Connecticut State Police. That scandal led to the retirement of two police commissioners.

Santa-Maria was largely liked and respected at the capitol, and was considered a good state representative. He was first elected to the House in 1994.

Rep. Ernie Newton, (D)-Bridgeport: "I was talking to him yesterday..."
Christina Hager: "Did anything seem wrong?"
Rep Newton: "Not to me. He was the same cheerful self. It's a tragedy."

Governor John Rowland praised Santa-Maria, saying "he approached his work as a state representative and as a police officer with determination. He was a strong advocate on behalf of his constituents. It is a tragedy that he has been taken from us at such a young age."

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