Police departments and officials honor Bristol officers killed in the line of duty

Condolences have poured in from first responders and officials following the deaths of two officers killed responding to a domestic violence call in Bristol late Wednesday night. A third officer was seriously injured.

The Connecticut State Police identified the slain officers as Dustin Demonte, 35, and Alex Hamzy, 34, both members of the Bristol Police Department. The third officer, Alec Iurato, 26, suffered a severe gunshot wound.

State police, local departments and first responders from across the state joined a procession early Thursday of the fallen officers from Bristol Hospital to the state medical examiner’s office in Farmington to show solidarity and support.

“It’s a tradition,” Foley said. “It’s a way to honor officers and remember their sacrifices so that no one is forgotten. It’s become a way for fellow officers to deal with a tragedy like this. Every department wants to show their support.”

The Connecticut State Police Motor Unit, Tolland, Massachusetts police and Rhode Island State Police were among dozens of departments offering condolences for the officers’ families but also the Bristol Police Department.

“Our thoughts are in Bristol, Connecticut, this morning, where two officers were killed and another was shot. We send our deepest condolences to their families and loved ones and hope the wounded officer recovers from his injuries. #AlwaysThere,” the RI State Police said.

“The Newtown Police Department said “it stands with our fellow officers in Bristol this morning and mourns their tragic loss. Please keep the Bristol Police Department and the entire community of Bristol in your thoughts and prayers.”

The impact of the officers’ deaths were felt in every department Thursday.

“This senseless tragedy reminds us how dangerous police work is and how fragile life can be,” Glastonbury Police said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to Bristol PD and to the families and loved ones of the fallen and injured officers. Glastonbury officers put themselves in harm’s way every time they don their uniform. The men and women of the Glastonbury Police Department are forever grateful for the love and support of the Glastonbury community, which helps them through these difficult times.”

Enfield Police Chief Alaric Fox echoed the sentiments.

“It is officers such as this, and countless others like them, who toil every day in virtual anonymity, who are society’s true heroes,” Fox said. “Unfortunate events such as this remind us of this fact. I remain truly grateful to the residents of Enfield, and the citizens of the State of Connecticut, for their support.”

The shooting comes after a particularly violent week for law enforcement in the United States. On Tuesday night in Mississippi, Greenville Police Department Detective Myiesha Stewart was killed and several other people were injured by gunfire as she and other officers responded to a call, authorities said.

Early Wednesday, three Philadelphia police officers were shot and wounded at a home and a suspect was killed when a SWAT team tried to arrest the man wanted on a homicide charge, police said. In Decatur, Illinois, two police officers conducting a traffic stop were shot and wounded early Wednesday by a motorist who died after officers returned fire, police said.

“It speaks to the danger of the profession,” said Brian Foley, former cop and state police spokesperson. “It’s a hard reality that this kind of thing happens almost everywhere.”

As of Sept. 30, there have been 50 officers killed in the United States this year — which is lower than the last year at 73, but higher than the complete year totals for 2020 and 2019, according to data from the FBI. Since September that total has been raised to 52.

The National Fraternal Order of Police, the oldest and largest police union in the United States, said “violence against law enforcement must stop” and that the number of officers shot in the line of duty “is reaching historic levels.”

So far this year 252 officers were shot in the line of duty and 93 officers have been shot in 63 ambush style attacks across the country, according to data collected by the fraternal organization.

The Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence said in a statement that domestic violence calls are the most dangerous calls that law enforcement can respond to on a daily basis.

“There is a lot of emotions involved,” Foley said. “Officers always know going into a domestic violence call that there is a chance it can end in violence given the nature of the situation.”