Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is directing U.S. and state flags in Connecticut to return to full-staff at sunset on the evening of Friday, October 21, 2022. Flags have been flying at half-staff statewide since last week in remembrance of Lieutenant Dustin DeMonte and Sergeant Alex Hamzy of the Bristol Police Department. A joint funeral service in their honor is scheduled to be held on Friday morning at Pratt and Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford.

Update: Governor Lamont has released the names of the fallen heroes as Sgt. Dustin Demonte and Officer Alex Hamzy. Officer Alex Larato is recovering.

Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is directing U.S. and state flags in Connecticut lowered to half-staff in honor of two officers from the Bristol Police Department who were shot and killed in the line of duty late last night while responding to a domestic violence situation involving family at a private residence in Bristol. A third officer was also shot and has been seriously injured. 

The names of the officers involved have not yet been released as their families are in the process of being notified.

Flags should be lowered immediately and remain lowered until sunset on the date of interment, which has not yet been determined. Accordingly, since no flag should fly higher than the U.S. flag, all other flags, including state, municipal, corporate, or otherwise, should also be lowered during this same duration of time. The Office of the Governor will send out a notification when flags should be returned to full-staff.

“The loss of two officers from the Bristol Police Department who were killed in the line of duty while responding to an emergency call of domestic violence is a senseless tragedy, and my prayers are with their families, loved ones, and fellow officers,” Governor Lamont said. “I also ask the residents of Connecticut to keep in their prayers a third officer who was shot while responding to this emergency and is currently in the hospital with serious injuries. This is a devastating reminder of the dangers that police officers face every day to protect our families and neighbors from all kinds of situations. These officers are heroes and will always be remembered for the honorable service they provided to their town and their state. This continues to be an active situation, and I’ve directed DESPP Commissioner James Rovella and the Connecticut State Police to support the Bristol Police Department and greater community in every way they can.”