UPDATED: Groton City Police Officer Found Dead In Station Was 30-Year Veteran Of Force

A longtime Groton City Police lieutenant was found dead in the station by a fellow officer at about 8:30 a.m. today, police said in a statement.

The officer was identified as Lt. Thomas Forbes, a 30-year veteran of the department.

“Today the City of Groton Police Department and indeed the entire city of Groton has lost a valuable cherished member of our city family,” Groton City Mayor Marian Galbraith said during a press conference. “Lt. Forbes was a well-known and well-respected man in this community, because he was an outstanding police officer and a wonderful man.

“Our hearts got out to his family, to his brothers and sisters on the city of Groton police force. We will hold a place of respect and honor in our hearts and in our memories.”

Groton City Police Chief Bruno L. Giulini  said Forbes' body has been transported to Farmington where he will be examined Tuesday by the chief medical examiner's office to determine the cause and manner of death.

The Connecticut State Police Major Crime Squad and members of the New London States Attorney's Office are in charge of the investigation, Giulini said.

The Groton City Police Department employs 34 people, and has two to four officers on any given shift.  Six employees are support staff. Police officers patrol an area of about three square miles.

About half the department's officers have worked there many years; Forbes was among the longest serving officers in the department. The shortest serving officer was hired within the last year or so, staff said.