Officers honored as Hartford Police Department opens annual Police Unity Ride – NBC Connecticut

Dozens of police officers from Hartford and surrounding counties embarked on a mile-long journey from the state capital to the state capital on Wednesday.

The ride is part of the annual Police Unity Tour. This year’s ride honored Detective Robert “Bobby” Garten, who was killed in the line of duty last September.

“That’s really what this is about, it’s about us helping each other in the most difficult times,” said Hartford Police Chief Jason Thody as he welcomed officers and guests to Hartford to dispatch drivers.

The drivers first arrived at Hartford Police Headquarters before beginning their 300-mile journey to Washington, DC.

“We recognize the sacrifices made by our officers … and this year in particular Det Bobby Garten,” Thody said.

This year’s ride was particularly meaningful to the Hartford Police Department as it continues to mourn the loss of Detective Garten.

Garten was killed in the line of duty in September 2023 when his patrol car was struck by a car fleeing a separate traffic stop.

His family spoke directly to the nearly 30 drivers from various local police departments.

“It’s an opportunity to celebrate the bonds that you and the law enforcement community share,” said Debbie Garten, Bobby’s mother.

She remembered Bobby as a gentle and kind man with a love of police work.

“He gave his community the biggest smile and the biggest heart. “Losing him was unimaginable and we mourn his absence every day,” said Debbie Garten.

The department also honored Holly Donahue, the officer who moved the Hartford Police Department to the unit role in 2007. She died in 2023. Her sister spoke on behalf of her family.

“She left her mark here, she was proud of it,” she said.

This year, the riders also hosted a special rider: Laura DeMonte, the wife of Dustin DeMonte, the Bristol police officer who was killed in an ambush-style attack in October 2022, along with his colleague Alex Hamzy, while responding to one Call responded.

“I saw everyone come across the finish line and it was just a great moment for me,” Laura DeMonte said as she talked about watching the ride last year and promising herself that she would this year would ride with the officers.

“I’m really excited and really proud to be able to ride for my husband and also for Alex,” she said.

But before the riders began their trek to D.C., a message honoring Garten, Hamzy, DeMonte and Donahue, among others from Hartford and beyond.

“Bobby and I talked every day and ended our conversation with, ‘Take care, I love you,'” said Debbie Garten.

She gave the drivers the same good wishes she said she always wishes for her son.

“So I say to you drivers, be safe out there and we love you,” Garten said.

The drivers first made a brief stop at the corner of Asylum Avenue and Cogswell Street in Hartford – the corner where Detective Garten was killed. They placed roses at the crash site before driving on. The trip to DC will take a total of four days.