CT Trooper Remembered 4 Years After Death In The Line Of Duty

TOLLAND, CT — State police Tuesday were remembering a fallen trooper four years after his death in the line of duty.

It was March 29, 2018 and Trooper First Class Kevin Miller was on duty along a stretch of Interstate-84 in Tolland. Miller was popular and active in his hometown of Tolland and close to retirement.

Suddenly, his state police cruiser came upon a slow-moving truck on a notorious hill on the eastbound side of the highway near Exit 68. It has been the site of numerous crashes over the years.

The vehicles collided and Miller died of injuries sustained in the crash.

A few days later, residents of the Troop C coverage area where he served lined overpasses to pay tribute to Miller as he was brought from a funeral home in Stafford to the barracks and then to Rentschler Field for a wake. Police from across the state paid their respects at the calling hours.

The following day, state police assembled at the Troop C barracks in Tolland in front of a memorial that had been set up and then lined up for a motorcade to Rentschler, where a funeral service took place.

Said then Gov. Dannel Malloy, "We are deeply saddened and heartbroken by the tragic loss of Trooper First Class Miller – a man who dedicated his life to serving the people of Connecticut. State troopers and members of law enforcement put their lives on the line each and every day in order to selflessly protect the people of our state, and they deserve our utmost respect for the service they provide. As they protect us from harm, these brave men and women personify what it means to be a public servant."

Lt. Gov. and fellow Tolland resident Many Wyman said at the time, "Trooper First Class Kevin Miller was a veteran of the State Police – his death is a shock and a tragedy. Our hearts are with his family and friends, and his brothers and sisters at the Connecticut State Police as they mourn his loss. We are fortunate and proud. He served the people of Connecticut with honor and commitment. We are forever grateful for his service."

A permanent memorial has been set up on I-84 at the crash site. Miller had been a trooper since 1999.

The message from state police Tuesday was somber and to the point.

"Never forget," it said.