Vigil Held for Fallen Officers as Procession Passes Through Bristol

A candlelight vigil honoring fallen Sgt. Dustin DeMonte and Officer Alex Hamzy took place in front of the Bristol Police Department Friday night.

A very large crowd turned out for the vigil, all paying their respects and remembering the Bristol officers.

A police procession transporting Hamzy from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to a Terryville funeral home passed directly through the vigil. Many people in the crowd said thanks to the men and women in blue as they drove by.

The hearse of Officer Hamzy being escorted by police from all over CT and even neighboring Mass. You can hear people saying “Thank you” to every squad car that comes through. I’ve seen Hartford, New Britain, and Old Saybrook to name a few. @NBCConnecticut pic.twitter.com/Y2cUAavV5E

— Jeremy Chen (@JeremyChentv) October 14, 2022

Signs of support for Bristol police are growing in the lobby of the police department after the tragic shooting Wednesday night that took the lives of two police officers and sent another to the hospital to be treated for serious injuries.

The @BristolCTPolice chief acknowledging the crowd during the procession and thanking them for their support. You can hear him say thank you. @NBCConnecticut pic.twitter.com/BHHoHqn6xu

— Jeremy Chen (@JeremyChentv) October 14, 2022

Community members are honoring fallen officers Sgt. Dustin DeMonte and Alex Hamzy. The officers were responding to a 911 call from Redstone Hill Road when tragedy struck.

Photos: Strong Show of Support in Honor of Fallen Bristol Police Officers

One witness said they walked into a trap. After being kicked out of a bar, the suspect went home, got into a domestic disturbance with his brother, called 911 at 10:29 p.m. and then waited with an AR-15-style rifle for officers to arrive, sources close to the investigation tell NBC.

Bristol resident Jamie Perchiano said he posted on Facebook for an impromptu vigil in front of police headquarters. He was overwhelmed by the hundreds of people that showed up, but had belief there would be strong support.

“We just got to stay vigilant and be together in this,” Perchiano said.

NBC Connecticut

Perchiano said DeMonte turned his life around away from alcohol and checked in on his progress.

“He helped me stay sober and because of him, I’m sober two years now,” he said.

Bristol leaders said the turnout is a reflection of healing the town needs to get through.

“We put around arms around the officers, but we need to put our arms around each other in our communities,” Bristol Mayor Jeff Caggiano said.

Perhciano said making the vigil a reality is a small step he can do to give back in DeMonte’s memory.

“I know he’s looking down on me. Proud of me for giving back to the community and doing this,” he said.