New Britain man sentenced in crash that killed beloved pastor, state police chaplain

The man charged in the death of a beloved state police chaplain was sentenced today in New Britain.

Gabriel Figueroa will spend three years behind bars, be on probation for five years, serve a 20-year sentence, and complete 200 hours of community service.

His sentencing was packed by friends and family of Paul Krampitz, a pillar of all communities he was a part of by all accounts.

Victim impact statements lasted an hour as people talked about a man larger than life with a personality and laugh to match. Many spoke of holes in their lives that no one could fill.

“I hate we are here today, instead of sharing the love and friendship with Paul, we are here explaining the emotions, the loss, and the trauma of not having Paul in our lives anymore,” said Dennis McKenna, a friend of Paul’s.

Friends and family, like Dennis, were unapproving of the sentence agreed upon, which included only three years behind bars.

“Paul was stolen from us, due to actions from a single person,” McKenna said.

According to an arrest warrant for Figueroa, he told state police he was heading home from work on Route 9 when he saw two motorcyclists and thought he had space to merge in front of them. He said the bike sped up and they collided.

He said fear took over, he kept driving and went home, but went back after talking to his Mom, and when he couldn’t reach the scene, he called the police to explain what happened.

He later pleaded guilty to one count of evading responsibility resulting in death.

“We called him our social butterfly, no matter where we went, either someone knew him, or if there wasn’t, by the time we left, somebody did,” said Robert Lucia, another friend of Krampitz who spoke.

Krampitz was described by many as a loving husband, father, friend, and member of the community.

Themes emerged as people honored him, describing someone willing to talk to anyone, but more importantly, willing to listen.

Someone that you could go to at the best and worst of times, and someone reliable at all phases of life.

He served as chaplain for the Connecticut State Police, Cromwell police and fire departments, and was pastor at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Cromwell, among other roles.

By all accounts, he was a pillar in every community he was a part of.

“Chaplain Krampitz proved himself to be one person our agency could trust to turn to when the stressors of life and on the job threatened to overwhelm us,” said Rodney Valdes with the Connecticut State Police.

Figueroa listened to family and friends paint a picture of a man larger than life, acknowledging the immense pain he caused.

“I pray in the middle of all this grief, you feel surrounded by love,” Figueroa said.

Also offering a promise, he said, starts today.

“I solemnly promise to continue my life, in honor of Paul’s life by living the way he lived, and loving others the way he loved others,” he said.

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