Milford Police Chief: Department Mourns Loss Of Bristol Officers

MILFORD, CT — Police Chief Keith Mello asked the Milford community to keep the families of the Bristol police officers killed during last week's incident in their thoughts and prayers.

Sgt. Dustin Demonte, 35, and Officer Alex Hamzy, 34, were killed in the shooting last week. Officer Alec Iurato, 26, was seriously injured and is recovering after surgery. State police are investigating the incident, and said that a 911 call appears to have been a deliberate act to lure law enforcement to the scene.

Suspect Nicholas Brutcher, 35, was shot and killed during the incident, according to state police. His brother, Nathan Brutcher, 32, was shot and taken to the hospital for treatment of his injuries. His role in the incident is still being investigated.

It has been a couple of particularly dangerous weeks for police officers in Connecticut. New Haven Officer Chad Curry was shot while responding to a car crash Oct. 7. He was treated for a non-life threatening injury.

Below is Mello's statement:

On behalf of the men and women of the Milford Police Department and with a heavy heart, we send our condolences to the Bristol Police Department. During this difficult time we ask the Milford Community to keep these officers and their families in your thoughts and prayers. Our police officers will be wearing black shrouds over their badges to honor and mourn this tragic loss of life. These fallen officers are heroes to us all.

We are once again reminded that policing is often very unpredictable and dangerous. We stand in support of Bristol PD and all the Law Enforcement Offices who are committed to protect and serve our communities.

Our state has seen four police officers shot within the last two weeks. I hope you will join me in calling for an end to the rise of violence and hostile treatment of our police officers.

Thank you Milford for being such a supportive and caring community.

Keith Mello, Chief of Police, City of Milford