Deputy Chief F. Leo Gantert Scholarship Fund
Recently, Retired Officer (SPO) Brian Gantert came to the Danbury Police Cadets wanting to create a way to send Cadets to the Cadet Police Academy in honor of his father, Deputy Chief F. Leo Gantert. Deputy Chief Gantert was impressed by a parent who told him of the impact the (then) Explorer Police Academy had on her son. The Explorer Police Academy was replaced by the Cadet Police Academy in 2010. After talking we decided to make the Deputy Chief F. Leo Gantert Scholarship Fund in order to send Cadets who otherwise wouldn't be able to afford to go to the Academy. At $700 (in 2024) for the week the Academy is beyond the ability of some Cadets to afford.
Donations
Donations to the Deputy Chief F. Leo Gantert Scholarship Fund can be sent to the Danbury Police Cadets, ATTN: Sgt. Antedomenico, 375 Main St, Danbury CT 06810. All donations are deductible as the Danbury Law Enforcement Cadets, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity under IRS Regulations.
With the start of this scholarship we have received enough funding to send three additional Cadets to the Cadet Police Academy this year (2024). Any funding received from this point forward will go toward the 2025 Cadet Police Academy. The projected cost for the 2025 Cadet Police Academy is $750. More information about the Academy can be found at https://nerleea.org/academy/
Please consider making a donation.
From Deputy Chief F. Leo Ganterts Obituary:
F. Leo Gantert, retired Danbury Deputy Police Chief, died peacefully on Friday, July 5th at the age of 91.after a long and fulfilling life. Leo was born in Danbury, the elder son of the late Frederick and Elizabeth (Flynn) Gantert. A lifelong Danbury resident, he was a graduate of St. Peter Parochial School and Danbury High School. Leo was a parishioner of St. Peter Parish.
His forty-nine year law enforcement career began after serving with the U.S. Army during World War II. Joining the Danbury Police Department in 1948 he was promoted through the ranks to Deputy Police Chief. During his tenure of many years he witnessed the growth and expansion of the department from the basement of the old City Hall to the modern headquarters of today.
Leo was an active member of the Police Athletic League coaching its various youth activities. He served as the League President and on the Board of Directors until his retirement. He was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Police and a current member of the Police Benevolent Association. In 1998 he received the Civic Award from the Old Timers Association for his contribution to the city baseball leagues. Leo loved all animals especially his pets over the years, Lady, Lucy, Barney, Jake and Rascal. He was an avid gardener and enjoyed working in his yard. In addition to his wife, Lenore, of nearly 60 years, he is survived by his son, Brian Gregory and his wife, Cheryl of Danbury, sister-in-law Jean Gantert of Old Saybrook and several nieces and nephews. Leo is predeceased by his brother, William.