James Rodgers

CHESHIRE - Retired State Police Sergeant James J. Rodgers, 83, passed away July 3, 2011 at Kensington Place in Meriden. He was the husband of Alice Mae (Cocchiola) Rodgers.

Sergeant Rodgers was born July 17, 1927 Philadelphia, PA the son of the late Joseph J. and Anne (Owen) Rodgers. He was educated in local schools and was a WWII Navy Veteran. He began his career with the Connecticut State Police in 1956. He served at Troops B, I, A and H as well as being the Prospect Resident State Trooper for 7 years until his promotion to Corporal in 1968. In 1973 he was promoted to Sergeant and as a Sergeant held assignments with internal Affairs, the Training Academy as well as various assignments at Headquarters. For many years, Sergeant Rodgers was involved with the State Police Color Guard. He was extremely proud to be a Trooper, participating in many color guard events and parades. He was the Past President of the State Police Academy Alumni Association having held the position from 1984 to 1998. During his career he obtained his Bachelors degree from the University of New Haven; was active with Cheshire Lyons Club and was a longtime member of the New Haven Knights of St. Patrick Organization.

Sergeant Rodgers retired in March of 1992 after 36 years of service. Upon his retirement, he was instrumental in developing the State Police Alumni Store. During his retirement Sergeant Rodgers served as State Police Historian, as a Board of Director on the State Police Academy Alumni Association and the Educational Foundation. He also served as Quartermaster for the State Police Pipe and Drum Band and as a member of the State Police Emerald Society until his health deteriorated. His dream was to develop lasting scholarships for Troopers and their families as well as to build a State Police Museum. In appreciation for his unselfish dedication to the State Police and the Alumni Association, Sergeant Rodgers was appointed an honorary State Police Lieutenant in April of 1998.

Besides his wife of 58 years, Mr. Rodgers is survived by his son Lt. Timothy Rodgers of the Cheshire Police Department and his wife Heather of Cheshire; his daughters Beverly Arisco and her husband Alex of Cheshire, Virginia Stevenson and her husband Ross of New York, and Nancy Hourigan of Wallingford and her husband Lt. Dale Hourigan of the CT State Police; his sisters Patricia Wasson of Dundee, NY and Teresa Haar of Bradford, NY; 8 grandchildren Reginald Stevenson, Danny and Jimmy Arisco, Kailyn and Bridget Rodgers, and Rachel and Connor Hourigan; his sister-in-law Chick Mantiglia as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son James "Jon" Rodgers and his grandson Joey Stevenson.

The Rodgers Family would like to thank VITAS Hospice and the Staff of Kensington Place for their continued care and compassion shown to their family.

Arrangements - Funeral services with Military and State Police honors will be held on Thursday July 7, 2011 9:00 from the Alderson Funeral Home of Cheshire 615 S. Main St. to Church of the Epiphany for Mass at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Cheshire Hillside Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to CT State Police Academy Alumni Assoc. Educational Foundation, P.O. Box 1945, Meriden, CT 06451.