Norwalk Police officer to be laid to rest Tuesday

By Nancy Guenther Chapman

NORWALK, Conn. – Funeral services have been announced for a Norwalk Police officer who police say committed suicide Tuesday evening.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Kenneth Cerulli, 41, will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, located at 203 East Ave. Burial will follow at St. John Cemetery.

Cerulli died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police say. Police responding to a 6:14 p.m. 911 call found Cerulli in the bedroom of his Blackstone Drive home. Paramedics declared him dead at the scene.

In addition to being an avid boater, Cerulli was also a golfer and a big NASCAR fan, the Magner Funeral Home said.

Cerulli, a lifelong Norwalk resident, was the husband of Jennifer Saja Cerulli. He was born in Norwalk on Feb. 25, 1971, the son of Edward J. and Judith Babinski Cerulli of Norwalk.

In addition to his wife and parents he is survived by his siblings Thomas Cerulli, Michael Cerulli, Leigh Ann Matthews and Robert Cerulli; his grandmother Marion Babinski, five nieces and nephews and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Cerulli was on the Norwalk police force for two years. He received a meritorious commendation in June, according to the Hour. Cerulli served on the Marine Unit this past summer and recently was commended for his work in rescuing a boat and boater who had run aground, Chief Thomas Kulhawik said.

Cerulli’s family will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Magner Funeral Home, located at 12 Mott Ave. Memorial donations may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Connecticut Chapter, 372 Danbury Road, Suite 200, Wilton, CT 06897.