A combined funeral was held Friday for two Bristol police officers at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford.
Dustin DeMonte and Alex Hamzy were killed in an apparent ambush last week while responding to a 911 call. Three officers were shot in an attack involving at least 80 rounds of gunfire. State investigators say they were lured there.
Hundreds of police motorcycles led a procession that halted at a tunnel leading into the field. The police leading the motorcade were from places that included North Providence, Rhode Island, and Larchmont, New York.
,
The flag-draped coffins of DeMonte and Hamzy were carried onto the field by fellow officers and placed in front of a stage. A third officer, Alec Iurato, was wounded and then shot the gunman. Iurato took part in the procession at the funeral, carrying a ceremonial flag.
Bristol Police Chief Brian Gould addressed the gathering.
鈥淎s a leader, we often hear the phrase 鈥榣ead by example.鈥� However, that is not enough. You must be an excellent example. Sgt. Dustin DeMonte and Officer Alex Hamzy are the epitome of excellence,鈥� Gould said.
The two officers were formally given posthumous promotions to the ranks of lieutenant and sergeant.
鈥淭he new lieutenant and sergeant have made their expectations very clear for us 鈥� to be forever exceptional, a very high expectation indeed. However, together, we will prevail,鈥� Gould said.
Hamzy鈥檚 father, Ahmad, shared a loving tribute that touched on his family鈥檚 roots in Lebanon and his late son鈥檚 love and service for the United States.
Hamzy's wife, Katie, read words of faith for wives of police officers that she first read years ago, when her husband became an officer.
鈥淲hile you may know my officer as a number, know he is far more than that. He is my hero, my protection, the love of my life, and of course my heart,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 love you, Alex.鈥�
DeMonte was praised as honest, trustworthy and hardworking. Fellow officers and those who knew him off-duty talked about him dancing with his wife at his wedding and having fun on a golf course.
DeMonte is survived by his pregnant wife, Laura, and his children, Phoebe and Porter.
鈥淚鈥檓 so sorry this happened to you, two of the very best humans, so kind, positive and fun-loving,鈥� said Laura DeMonte. 鈥淒ustin, my love 鈥� the kids and I are honored to call you ours.鈥�
Fellow Bristol police officer Zach Levine sent a message of peace to his former colleagues.
鈥淩est easy, Lt. DeMonte and Sgt. Hamzy. We鈥檒l take it from here.鈥�
State police organizing the funeral didn鈥檛 have a final count of attendees early Friday afternoon, but a sergeant said they鈥檇 planned for full capacity of the football stadium, which holds about 40,000 people.
Watch the full video of Friday's service:
This story contains information from the Associated Press.
