By Sue Shaw
Learning Support Program
I started my career at Foote teaching kindergarten in the fall of 1989 and Chad was one of the very special 15 students in my first class. The clearest memory I have of Chad is his smile — his eyes always had a twinkle when he smiled as if he had a secret to tell. I remember him as curious child who enjoyed all parts of the day, but like most kindergarten students-recess was his favorite. The other memory that remains clear in my mind is his parents, his mother, Colleen and his father George and his two sisters Dakota and Nikki. Each day his sisters would come down and pick him up from our classroom.
From kindergarten in 1989 as The Foote Class of 1999 to Hillhouse High School and Southern Connecticut State University to the New Haven Police Academy it has been quite a trajectory for Chad.
But alas, I have gotten decades ahead of myself. My former colleague and Chad’s teacher in Romance Languages Angela Gianella was devastated not to be here today to hug Chad. More than 30 years later Angela has not forgotten that Chad was the only student in the Lower School to hold the door open for her even before she became his teacher. She was totally impressed with this being a true gentleman, so small, with a huge gesture toward an adult! She even recalls it was the door that takes us to the Twichell room!!! Memories she never forgot.
Chad’s French teacher Jenny Byers recollects Chad had a deep and loyal friendship with another boy in his class and that he had a good sense of humor; and she always liked him and enjoyed her interactions with him at Foote. Jenny gave a shout-out to Chad’s mom, Colleen, who was a very involved and supportive mom. Jenny reported a Chad-sighting years ago when she ran into him at Devils Gear, many years after he graduated from Foote, and he immediately greeted her with a big smile and "Ehhh, bonjour, Madame!" She was very distressed to hear he had been shot in the line of duty this past fall and she sent him a card and a note. And though her affection and respect are great for Chad she did confess he was not the best student in French.
Clearly Chad was saving his best for his career as a New Haven police officer. According to the New Haven Register in November of 2022, though Chad trained to be a police officer he never set out to be a hero, However he was a hero — twice in 2022 alone: this past Oct.7, the day he took two bullets and still managed to chase and help capture the stolen car suspect who allegedly shot him and in an incident in July he talked down a suicidal resident using training he had just received to help de-escalate the situation.
In his 10-year career, Chad has been celebrated many times. In the late fall the New Haven Board of Alders gave him a standing ovation and presented him with a citation recognizing "his heroic, dedicated and faithful service." People in New Haven responded with praise for Chad to quote a few online remarks following the Register article, “Officer Curry knows the community and is an asset to the force; I’m not surprised by what officer Curry did. He’s an officer that really cares about the community" and, "thank you Officer Curry. You are a shining example of what calm, compassionate, intelligent, well trained police bring to our community.”
While I am not certain The Foote School Alumni Achievement Award can compare with a New Haven citation, we hope Chad knows how much it means to The Foote School community and alumni family that he is one of ours always and forever and it is with deep gratitude and respect that we honor him here today.
I am happy to present the 2023 Foote School Alumni Achievement Award to Chad Curry Class of 1999 in recognition of his commitment to the New Haven community, his career in law enforcement and most notably for his bravery in the line of duty.
Congratulations Chad, your work de-escalating conflicts and keeping the people of New Haven safe reflects the values you learned as a student at Foote, your great work as a HERO has enhanced our school’s reputation. We’re grateful for all you do.