The Plainville community is in mourning after losing a longtime member of its police force on Saturday.
Lt. John Rene Quilter, 49, died Saturday surrounded by his family, according to his department.
“Lt. John Quilter was one of the best cops and one of the best people that I have ever known,” said Police Chief Christopher M. Vanghele of the Plainville Police Department. “I considered him a friend. He was supremely dedicated to his wife, kids, family, country, friends, police department and the community of Plainville. A good man was taken from us way too early. He will be missed every day.”
Quilter was transported to the Plainville Funeral Home by police “showing him the love, respect and honor that he always gave us,” the department said on a social media post on Saturday.
According to Vanghele, Quilter was diagnosed with cancer a few months ago and formally retired this past New Year’s Eve after 25 years and three months on the Plainville police force.
“He was still working through his cancer treatments. That’s the kind of person he was,” Vanghele said. “This is the last person that this should have ever happened to. It shouldn’t have been him.
“When I tell you he was the best person, it’s no hyperbole. He was everything to everyone,” Vanghele added. “He was a true professional and had honorable integrity. … He was my right-hand man. He knew everything about everything in town.”
According to Quilter’s obituary, Quilter met his high school sweetheart Melissa when he was 16 years old at Bristol Central High School. The couple was married for 28 years and have three children, Austin, Brendan and Caitlyn, and one grandchild, Maverick John.
Quilter was actively involved in the Plainville community. He was a member of the Plainville Rotary Club and coached youth football, baseball and soccer as well as running the PAL basketball league for the Plainville Police Association, according to the obituary.
“His actions reflected his deep commitment to the development and well-being of young people,” the obituary says.
Quilter was also a U.S. Army veteran.
“John was just a great individual,” Plainville Town Manager Michael Paulhus said. “A great human being. Our hearts are heavy with the sad news of his passing. He was a wonderful person and a dedicated police officer. He loved his family and his community. He cared deeply for the people of Plainville. He will be dearly missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and members of the department as well.
“He was a very friendly, kind and dedicated professional that you would come to expect in Plainville. That’s what John embodied,” Paulhus added.
Quilter was a licensed realtor, and the family had a vacation home in Myrtle Beach. He enjoyed the guitar and outdoor adventures, according to the obituary.
A wake is on Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Plainville Funeral Home. A celebration of Quilter’s life, led by Life Celebrant Jesse Gnazzo, will be held on Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the Plainville High School auditorium. Committal with military honors will follow at Forestville Cemetery, according to the obituary.
In lieu of flowers, the family asked that Quilter be remembered with contributions to the Plainville Colts Youth Football and Cheer, PARC or the Plainville Activity League.
