Thousands gathering for funeral for two fallen Bristol police officers today
The joint funeral service for two Bristol Police Department officers killed in a shooting last week is taking place today at Rentschler Field in East Hartford.
The service, originally set to begin at 11 a.m., was delayed until noon.
Lt. Dustin DeMonte, 35, and Sgt. Alex Hamzy, 34, were killed in a shooting on Redstone Hill Road in Bristol on Oct. 12. Officer Alec Iurato was injured in the shooting but was later released from the hospital.
Iurato was present at Friday’s funeral service and presented the flag of honor.
The funeral is live-streamed at https://vimeo.com/event/2528123/54b026ad7b.
Thousands of police officers from across Connecticut and beyond gathered at the stadium early Friday to honor their fallen brothers.
The East Hartford Police Department is facilitating traffic flow in and out of the stadium. Travel will be impacted on Silver Lane, Roberts Street and the surrounding area. Police are urging travelers to use alternate routes throughout the early morning and afternoon.
Here is a breakdown of what to expect and how to watch.
When and where is the funeral?
The funeral takes place at Rentschler Field at 615 Silver Lane in East Hartford. It was originally slated to start at 11 a.m. Friday and was delayed until noon. Members of the public were asked to get to the field before 9:30 a.m., police said.
Any members of the public who wish to attend were allowed. Once the venue is full, no further attendees are permitted, police said. Rentschler Field has a capacity of over 40,000 seats.
Where should I park?
Members of the public should enter the facility through Gates C and D and park in the gray or red lots.
Law enforcement attendees should park in the blue lot and enter the complex through Gate B. Law enforcement will be required to show credentials at these locations, police said.
Is there anything I cannot bring?
Some items are prohibited from the venue, including bags, purses, flowers, gifts and professional cameras. Drones are also not allowed to fly over the venue, police said.
When is the funeral procession?
There was a procession for each officer from their respective funeral homes. The processions started at 8:55 a.m. on Friday and arrived at Rentschler Field around 10 a.m.
The procession for DeMonte started at North Haven Funeral Home on Washington Avenue, then proceeded to Interstate 91 before exiting onto I-691 west, then I-84 east before getting off at Exit 58 to enter the stadium grounds.
There will be another procession after the service to bring DeMonte back to North Haven Funeral Home. The route will start at Route 15 south to I-91 south and finish at Exit 12, police said.
The procession for Hamzy started at Scott Funeral Home on Main Street in Terryville, followed Route 6 to Colt Highway, then traveled on I-84 east and entered the stadium through Exit 58.
Following the service, the procession for Hamzy will take I-84 west to Exit 38, then Route 6 back to Scott Funeral Home.
Traffic delays are expected along these routes.
How can I support the families of the officers?
Attendees are encouraged to donate to a fundraiser for the families of the fallen officers or do an act of kindness in their names rather than bring items or gifts to the venue, according to Bristol Police Lt. Geoffrey Lund.
Local Bristol businesses, including Dunphy’s Ice Cream Story, Undone Salon and Sergio’s Pizza, are holding an afternoon of raffles, food and support for injured officer Iurato on Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. at 912 Stafford Ave. in Bristol. All money raised will be donated in Iurato’s honor to Bristol Police Department’s K9 fund.
Donations will also be collected for the Hero’s Fund to benefit the families of DeMonte and Hamzy.
