Bristol

Police Departments Pay Tribute After Deaths of 2 Police Officers, Serious Injuries to 1 in Bristol

Several police officers were at the hospital Thursday morning and took part in the procession to escort the officers who died to the office of the chief medical examiner.

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Police departments across Connecticut are responding and paying tribute after two fellow police officers were shot and killed and a third was seriously injured in Bristol Wednesday night.

“We ask your thoughts and prayers be with the families, the officer and all those impacted,” state police Tweeted.   

The Federal Bureau of Investigation New Haven Field Division offered condolences and prayers.

“The entire family of the Connecticut FBI employees are deeply saddened by the loss of New Britain Police Officers Alex Hamzy and Sgt. Dustin Demonte as well as the severe injuries sustained by Officer Alex [Iurato], We send our sincerest, deepest condolences and prayers to each of their families and to the brother and sister officers of the Bristol PD,” the statement says.

Chief State's Attorney Patrick Griffin expressed sympathies and offered prayers.

"Today, I join with New Britain State’s Attorney Christian M. Watson and the entire Division of Criminal Justice in expressing our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of Bristol Police Sgt. Dustin Demonte and Officer Alex Hamzy who were tragically killed in the line of duty on Wednesday night. We are praying and hopeful that Officer Alec Iurato is able to fully recover from injuries he suffered in the tragedy," Griffin said in a statement. 

"There is an ever-present danger in being a member of law enforcement, yet every day the men and women in uniform go out into the community to ensure that the citizens of Connecticut are safe. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the officers’ loved ones, the Bristol Police Department, and the Bristol community as we all mourn the unspeakable loss of Sgt. Demonte and Officer Hamzy and pray for a swift recovery for Officer Iurato," Griffen went on to say.    

U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery offered prayers and support for Bristol police and state police.

“This devastating news is another tragic reminder of the potential danger that law enforcement officers face every day in their service to our communities.  I am praying for these officers and their families and loved ones, and every member of the Bristol Police Department and the Bristol community will remain in my thoughts.  Our office and our federal agency partners will support the Bristol Police and Connecticut State Police in any way we can,” Avery said in a statement.

The Connecticut state police union released a statement.

"On behalf of all Connecticut State Troopers, it is with a heavy heart that we express our deepest
condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of Officer Alex Hamzy and Sergeant Dustin
DeMonte, of the Bristol Police Department.

"Officer Hamzy and Sergeant DeMonte responded to this call for service with bravery and were
senselessly ambushed for simply protecting and defending others. These Officers put themselves
in harms way to keep their community safe and made the ultimate sacrifice. All of Connecticut
should pause to support and remember these brave officers and their families.

"In the coming days, we are prepared to support our brothers and sisters of the Bristol Police
Department and the families of our fallen Brothers. We will be thinking and praying for
everyone and hope we can provide the comfort and support necessary to make a difference for
everyone affected by this cowardly act of violence. Together, we will honor the lives and service
of these true heroes, who gave their lives while upholding and fulfilling their oath of office," the statement says.

They said they hope and pray for the welfare of Bristol Police Officer Alec Iurato who survived the shooting and has been released from the hospital after going surgery.

Middletown police offered their deepest sympathies.

"The Middletown Police Department is saddened at the news of this senseless act of violence that took the life of two Bristol police officers and injuring a third. The Middletown Police Department sends its deepest sympathies to Chief Brian Gould, the Bristol Police Department and the families of Sergeant Dustin DeMonte and Officer Alex Hamzy, who lost their lives. MPD stands with our brother and sister officers in Bristol as they grieve," Police chief Erik Costa said in a statement.

New Haven police said they're devastated to learn of the incident.

"The New Haven Police Department is devastated by the events that occurred in Bristol last night that led to the deaths of Sergeant Dustin DeMonte and Officer Alex Hamzy and left Officer Alec Lurato wounded. We do not condone violence of any kind, and we stand by the Bristol Police Department, the DeMonte family, the Hamzy family, the Iurato family, the Brutcher family, and the entire Bristol community during this very difficult time. I reached out to Chief Gould and offered our deepest condolences and let him know that we are here to help in any way we can. The events of last night highlight the danger officers face every day as they protect our communities. We want to wish Officer Lurato a speedy recovery.”

Tolland police are sending their condolences.

Southbury Police offered their condolences, and said they'll be offering resources and support to the police department.

  · The men and women of the Southbury Police Department send our deepest condolences and will be offering any resources and support needed to our brothers and sisters of the Bristol Police Department in the wake of this tragedy. Two of their officers have died in the line of duty, while a third has been hospitalized. We ask our community to keep the Bristol Police Department, their families and the entire Bristol community in your thoughts and prayers. 💙

South Windsor police called what happened in Bristol “devastating” and said they were thinking of the Bristol Police Department.   

Police in Wethersfield are also paying their respects.

"The men and women of the Wethersfield Police Department would like to express our heartfelt condolences to the members of the Bristol Police Department and their families on the loss of their officers and the wounding of another when responding to a domestic violence incident. In the words of Chief Medina, “Words cannot express what our
brothers and sisters at the Bristol Police Department are going through at the moment. On behalf of the Wethersfield Police Department, I extend my sincerest condolences to the loved ones and colleagues of the fallen members of the Bristol Police Department,” the statement from the Wethersfield Police Department said.

"The Wethersfield Police Department would like to recognize all the departments throughout the state that responded to assist the Bristol Police Department during this tragedy," the statement went on to state.

Beyond Connecticut, the National Police Association Tweeted the word "prayers."

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