Late South Windsor Officer To Be Included On National Memorial

SOUTH WINDSOR, CT — A South Windsor police officer killed while trying to break up a bar fight in South Carolina in 2018 is being hailed as a hero and will be included on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial monument in Washington D.C.

South Windsor Police Chier Scott Custer said Monday that the name of Sgt. Matthew Mainieri will be added to the monument.

Mainieri was lilled on Sept. 2, 2018 while off duty. Mainieri was breaking up a bar fight in Myrtle Beach, S.C. and was assaulted, according to police records. He died as a result of his injuries.

Custer said the criteria for inclusion on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial includes the term "killed in the line of duty" and also includes law enforcement officers who, while in an off-duty capacity, act in response to a law violation."

According to memorial officials, "It was the determination of this agency and the Memorial Fund Board Names Committee that Sgt. Mainieri’s actions on September 2, 2018 met those criteria."

Mainieri’s name will be engraved on the memorial wall and will be formally dedicated during the Candlelight Vigil ceremony at the National Law Enforcement Memorial scheduled for May 13, during National Police Week.

"Sgt. Mainieri died trying to break up a fight and prevent harm to the involved persons.
He didn’t have to intervene, but that’s who Matt was — someone who always helped those
who needed help, anytime and any way that he could. Matt lost his life honoring his oath
of service, even off-duty, and we are forever grateful that our brother is being recognized
for his sacrifice," Custer said.

See more about the memirial here.