BRISTOL, Conn. — Oct. 12, 2022 is a day that will forever be remembered in Bristol, as the city lost two members of its police department to an ambush.
Then-Sgt. Dustin DeMonte and then-Ofc. Alex Hamzy died in the line of duty, while Ofc. Alex Iurato escaped with injuries after taking down the shooter. The two fallen first responders were posthumously promoted; DeMonte to lieutenant and Hamzy to sergeant.
Hamzy, an eight-year veteran of the police department, was 34 years old when he passed. To remember their loved one, Hamzy’s family established the Sergeant Alex Hamzy Memorial Fund at Main Street Community Foundation in the weeks following his death.
The donor-advised fund awards money to organizations that Hamzy’s family believed were meaningful to him. According to a release from MSCF, Hamzy was passionate about teaching young adults the values necessary to succeed in serving the community. He enjoyed mentoring those who looked to pursue a career in law enforcement.
“Anything involving kids was so important to Alex,” Bristol Police Lt. Eric Hanson said. “He was at the forefront of all programs involving youth.”
MSCF said it was therefore fitting that two of the first grants awarded from the Sergeant Alex Hamzy Memorial Fund were to organizations and programs that were close to his heart.
Bristol police received a $2,500 grant to support its youth cadet program, while the Northeast Regional Law Enforcement Educational Association was given a $2,500 grant to support the police cadet training programs.
According to MSCF, Hamzy was a longtime advisor for the Bristol Police Department’s youth cadet program, which serves young men and women ages 14-21 who seek policing experience. The program provides instruction, demonstration and hands-on training.
“This grant will allow the cadets to attend a weeklong residential academy at Westfield State University, many of whom would not be able to attend otherwise due to financial reasons,” Bristol Deputy Police Chief Robert Osborne said. “Alex always participated in this academy and loved [working with] the cadets.”
The Northeast Regional Law Enforcement Educational Association offers educational opportunities to youth who are interested in pursuing a law enforcement career by allowing them to participate in a variety of training events.
“This grant will directly subsidize the cost of the Tactical Challenge, a competition that features various scenarios to test cadets’ skills and solve situations under stress,” Robert Smedley, director of the association, said. “Alex loved participating in this challenge. But it is more than a challenge, it is also a tribute to the memory of Sgt. Alex Hamzy and Lt. Dustin Demonte, who was also killed in the line of duty on Oct. 12, and we have renamed the Tactical Challenge in their names.”
Susan Sadecki, president and CEO of MSCF, added, “These organizations were incredibly important to Alex, and these grants are so much more than just checks.”
Those interested in donating to the Sergeant Alex Hamzy Memorial Fund can do so online by clicking here. They can also send donations to MSCF, P.O. Box 2702, Bristol, Conn. 06010.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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