By Daniela Altimari
The Hartford Courant
SOUTH WINDSOR, Conn. — The man charged in connection with the death of a decorated South Windsor police sergeant was released on bail Monday afternoon, authorities in South Carolina said.
Matthew Mainieri, 41, died Sunday afternoon from injuries he suffered while trying to break up a fight at a bar in South Carolina, police said. He was a 20-year veteran of the department.
“We have lost a wonderful officer, supervisor and friend,’’ South Windsor Deputy police Chief Scott P. Custer said.
Mainieri was assaulted at Uncle Tito’s in Murrells Inlet, a coastal community south of Myrtle Beach. The Georgetown County Sheriff’s Department arrested Kelton Jess Todd, 21, of nearby Aynor, S.C., on a charge of assault of a high and aggravated nature. He was released on $35,000 bail about noon Monday. The case remains under investigation and charges could be added, according to investigators in South Carolina.
Mainieri was trying to break up a fight when he suffered a fatal head blow, Custer said.
“That’s who Matt was,’’ Custer wrote in an email, “someone who always helped those who needed help, anytime and any way he could.”
Mainieri began his career in law enforcement in January of 1998, when he was hired as a community service officer. He became a police officer the following year.
As he rose through the ranks from officer to sergeant, Mainieri served in the traffic and detective divisions. He was member of the regional traffic unit and was an accident reconstruction expert.
Mainieri also served on the regional emergency services team and was skilled at explosive breaching, Custer said.
Over his two-decade career, he received several awards, including the department’s Medal of Valor, the Chief’s Award, and certificates of commendation.
In July of 2009, Mainieri was one of three members of the South Windsor department who received special recognition for their response to a 13-hour hostage standoff at a house on Tumblebrook Drive.
Mainieri and Sgt. Peter Alix were present for the entire ordeal and took the suspect, Richard Shenkman, into custody after Shenkman kidnapped his ex-wife and set fire to the house. Shenkman is currently serving a 70-year prison sentence.
Mainieri also received an award for his part in a regional police team’s response to another hostage situation in Coventry in 2008. Alfredo “Junior” Ferrer, a dishwasher at the Bidwell Tavern, had mortally wounded his girlfriend when police found him in the tavern parking lot holding a gun in one hand and his 2-year-old son in the other. After Ferrer threw down his weapon, other officers wrestled the child away and Mainieri shot Ferrer with a Taser to subdue him and make the arrest.
In recent months, Mainieri was key in helping the department launch a drone program.
Off-duty, he spent his time riding motorcycles, often traveling to Vermont and South Carolina with friends.
He leaves behind his mother, sister, girlfriend and countless friends.