NEW HAVEN, Conn. — New Haven Police and Connecticut State Police showed their support for Minneapolis Police Officer Jamal Mitchell.
He was killed in the line of duty last month and was laid to rest where he grew up in New Haven.
"Jamal was just everything we could possibly ask for in a police officer in our country today," said Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara.
The first responder community came together in solidarity for Officer Mitchell, who was killed in an ambush last month.
There was a somber procession to lay Officer Mitchell to rest.
A line of motorcycles left from the McClam funeral home to Hillhouse High School in New Haven.
Officers in that procession supported the Mitchell family from areas around the state and the country, including a few dozen officers from Minneapolis, who drove about 20 hours for Monday's service.
"We’re here to support his family locally in New Haven because there’s not words to describe the pain they’re dealing with," said Chief O'Hara.
A dozen police officers also making the trip from Newark, New Jersey, where Minneapolis Police Chief O’Hara used to work.
"It was important for us to be here for him. We knew he would be here, it wasn’t too far of a drive. We wanted the family and Minneapolis people to know they’re not grieving alone," said James Stewart Jr, a Newark Police Officer.
Officers said the law enforcement community is tight knit, if one department loses an officer, all departments feel the impact.
"We want to make sure the guys who work here every day, the ones who knew him, we feel their pain too and want to be here to show that support," said Officer Stewart.
Officers also participated in a procession from Hillhouse High School to a local cemetery for a private burial service.
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Lindsey Kane is a reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at Lkane@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
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