As we finish spot lighting Dads for the month we wanted to end it on a high note with Sergeant Mike Paris who by the end of the week will be the newest Fairfield Police Department Lieutenant! Our Family Fun Day wouldn’t have been such a success without the help of Mike and all the other officers who attended that day! A real family man who takes his job very seriously and it shows throughout the force. Congratulations Lieutenant Paris for a job very well done!
I originally grew up in Bridgeport however I attended Fairfield Private Schools. I attended, Villa Day Nursery School, Our Lady of the Assumption School and Notre Dame Catholic High School.
Tell us about your Family!
I am married to my beautiful wife, Kelly. We met in high school during our sophomore year and have been together since. Kelly is a teacher in Trumbull doing what she absolutely loves. We have one daughter, Layla, who is just about to turn 10 years old. Layla is a dedicated figure skater, most of our time is spent at the Rinks, for practice, competitions, and team building. We are parishioners of Saint Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church in Bridgeport where Kelly is the director of our Sunday School and I am the Vice President of our Parish Council. We have one dog, a boxer, named Marsha.
One thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I wanted to be a priest growing up.
One thing you wish someone would have told you about fatherhood?
I wish that someone told me how much I would become like my grandmother being so overprotective of my daughter. I actually may be worse than my grandmother.
What’s your favorite thing about raising a family in Fairfield?
The Town of Fairfield has so much to offer with outdoor activities and really makes raising a family in this environment special.
Best dad hack that makes your life easier?
Drill a 1/2 inch hole in the bottom of the garbage can, which will make removing the bag so much easier.
Tell us about your job, when & why you decided to start in this field?
I am a police officer in Fairfield and currently the supervisor of the Fairfield Police Traffic / Crash Investigation Unit. I am excited to announce that on July 2nd, I will be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. I am a second generation police officer, my Dad just retired from a 30 year career in the Bridgeport Police Department. I can always remember wanting to be a police officer growing up after seeing my Dad going to work everyday serving the community.
What do you love about your job? Challenges you face?
I love my job because everyday, I have the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life. The Fairfield community is so supportive of our roles as police officers and when you can pay it forward by your actions, it truly is the most rewarding experience. As police officers, one of the most challenging things to do is to do your job, and make people happy at the same time. When you can do both, that’s what makes it all worth while.
If you weren’t working in this industry, what do you think you would be doing today?
I would go back to my childhood dream and be a priest. My family is of Christian Orthodox faith and our priests can get married and have children. Something I think about often, but as a police officer, it is easy to incorporate my faith into my current job.
Best advice for dads who experience the inevitable guilt handling a career and helping support a family?
Push on! Think long term and how important it is for your children to see how hard you work to support their future.
Who has most influenced you to be the father that you are today?
My Father in Law, Mike Fletcher, who recently passed away, at the young age of 60. He was such a supportive person who taught me that hard work pays off and to always do the right thing.
What advice would you share with a new dad or other dads?
Cherish every moment of your child’s life. People always say that life goes by too quickly. That statement couldn’t be more true. Make memories growing up with them and take as many pictures and videos as possible. It’s always fun to look back and see them grow.
We love supporting local businesses – favorite places in Fairfield to…
Have Dinner with Family:
Barcelona
Grab a Drink with Friends:
Old Post Tavern
Have a Date Night:
Sinclair
Spend time together as a Family:
Jennings Beach
Outside Activities:
Taking a walk along Southport Beach
Grab coffee:
Donut Inn
