HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Police departments, officials from across Connecticut and fellow employees showed support Thursday for the Hartford Police Department, a fallen officer’s family and an injured officer.
Kind, passionate, and dedicated to protecting the people of Hartford. Officer Robert “Bobby” Garten, 34, died in the line of duty as he responded to a call with Officer Brian Kearney, who remains in stable but guarded condition.
“One of the best cops I had the privilege of training and the privilege of spending time with outside of the PD. Bobby had a positive impact on every person that he came across,” Jill Kidik said.
Jill Kidik trained Officer Garten when he first joined the department and worked with him through 2018 until she was forced to retire after nearly dying on the job herself when a woman repeatedly stabbed her in the neck
“Being a police officer and a victim that maybe I can help a couple of the guys and girls here navigate something that none of us understand,” Kidik said.
The retired officer came out to show her support Thursday, something she says the Garten family will be surrounded with as she was five years ago.
“That group of blue is going to be there for Bobby’s family so long as they want them there. It’s a brotherhood, it’s a sisterhood, it’s a family,” Kidik said.
Chief Thody says the family and his officers are grateful for the support they’ve been shown by the community and other departments.
“His mom said yesterday that every day he started on shift. She talked to him and said, be safe out there. And every day he said, I always am,” Mayor Luke Bronin said during Thursday’s press conference.
Police departments from across the state, along with several elected officials shared posts Thursday to offer their condolences to the Garten family and to talk about how Bobby made the ultimate sacrifice.
Below are statements from police departments, local officials and city leaders.
“Our deepest condolences to the Hartford Police Department and the family of Officer Bobby Garten. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and with Officer Brian Kearney as he recovers from his injuries.”
Beacon Falls Police Department:
“The Beacon Falls Police Department sends our deepest condolences to the Hartford Police Department and the family of the Hartford Police Officer who was killed in the line of duty last night. We also wish a speedy recovery for the second officer who was seriously injured in this horrific incident. Our thoughts are with you all during this tragic time.”
Connecticut State Police
“This is a tragic incident. Our hearts and prayers go out to Hartford Police Department and their families. Our Troopers are available to assist Hartford Police Department with whatever they may need during this difficult time. Our CARS and CDMCS detectives were asked to assist by the State’s Attorney. CDMCS has assumed the accident investigation. This is all the information we have available for release at this time.”
“We would like to offer our sincere condolences to the Hartford Police Department after the loss of Officer Robert “Bobby” Garten in the line of duty. We are praying for a full recovery for the other officer that was also injured in this incident.”
“The men and women of the Cheshire Police Department send our deepest condolences to the members of the Hartford Police Department and the family of Officer Garten. We also wish a peaceful recovery to the officer who was injured. We are all saddened to hear of this tragic incident and offer our full support to HPD. You’ll never stand alone.”
“The Cromwell Police Department is sending prayers to our brothers and sisters in blue at the @hartfordctpolice as they navigate the tragic loss of one of their officers. #BlessedAreThePeacemakers #bluelinefamily“
East Hartford Police Department
“The East Hartford Police Department sends our deepest condolences to the Hartford Police Department, and the family and friends of the officer who was killed in the line of duty last night. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. We are hoping for a full and speedy recovery for the officer was injured.”
East Windsor Police Department:
“The East Windsor Police Department sends our deepest condolences to the Hartford Police Department, who are grieving the loss of one of their officers due to a line of duty death.”
“The Easton Police Department sends our sincerest condolences to the members of the Hartford Police Department and the family of the Hartford Officer who was killed in the line of duty. We also extend wishes of a full and speedy recovery to the second officer who was injured.”
“The Enfield Police Department would like to offer its deepest condolences to the men and women of the Hartford Police CT who are dealing with the loss of one of their officers after line of duty death last night resulting from a motor vehicle crash.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Hartford Police Department, family and friends of Officer Bobby Garten, who did not survive an on-duty collision last night. A second officer was seriously injured in the crash and we continue to pray for his full recovery.
“When a hero falls, the world mourns, but their legacy lives on forever.” – Anonymous
Rest in peace Officer Garten, we have the watch from here.”
“The Hamden Police Department sends our deepest condolences to the Hartford Police Department, and the family and friends of the Officer killed in the line of duty last night.
We also send our thoughts and prayers to the Officer who was injured, and pray for a speedy recovery.”
South Windsor Police Department:
“The South Windsor Police Department would like to offer its deepest condolences to the men and women of the Hartford Police Department, who are dealing with the loss of one of their officers after an on-duty motor vehicle collision last night.”
“Today, our thoughts and prayers are with Hartford Police Department and the family of the officer who was killed in the line of duty last night. Additionally, we are hoping for a full and speedy recovery of the second officer who was injured in the incident.”
“The men and women of the Meriden Police Department are saddened and heartbroken to hear of the tragic loss of the fallen Hartford Police Officer. Our agency offers our full support and condolences to the men and women of the Hartford Police Department during this difficult time. We also are praying for a speedy and full recovery for the officer who was seriously injured in this horrific incident.”
“The Middletown Police Department send our thoughts and prayers to the men and women of the @hartfordctpolice as they navigate the tragic loss of one of their officers. #heroesneverdie #bluelinefamily“
“Our deepest condolences to the men and women of the Hartford Police Department and the families of the officers involved in this tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.”
“The men and women of the Naugatuck Police Department send our deepest condolences to the entire Hartford Police Department as they mourn the loss of one of their own. We continue to pray for a speedy recovery for the second officer involved in last nights fatal crash. The flag at NPD headquarters will be flown at half staff in the days to come as we honor our fellow officers.”
New Britain Police Department :
“The New Britain Police Department sends its deepest condolences to the Hartford Police Department and the family of the Hartford Officer who’s life was lost in the line of duty. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this tragic time. We also wish a full and speedy recovery to the second officer who was injured in the incident.”
“The New Canaan Police Department extends its deepest thoughts, prayers and sympathies to the Hartford Police Department on the tragic loss of one of its own. We are also thinking of the officers family and friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with the officer who is said to be in stable condition.”
“Our thoughts are with the Hartford Police Department as they mourn the loss of an officer who died in the line of duty last night. We stand in solidarity with them and offer our deepest condolences to their family and colleagues.”
“Mayor Michael E. Passero, the City Council, and the New London Community extend condolences to the family of Officer Bobby Garten, the Hartford Police Department, and the Hartford Community. Officer Garten was tragically killed last evening while on patrol responding to a call for assistance. Also injured in the accident was Officer Brian Kearney, who is hospitalized. We wish him our best and for a full recovery. The brave men and women who police our society put their lives at risk daily for our protection and safety. This tragedy is a sad reminder of the cost for our security and the human cost during such a tragic moment.”
“The Local 1522 sends its condolences to the Hartford Police Department on the passing of Officer Garten who was killed overnight in the line of duty. Rest in peace.”
“The Newington Police Department offers our condolences to the men and women of the Hartford Police Department after the loss of an officer in the line of duty. Our thoughts and prayers are with the officers family as well as with the injured officer.”
North Branford Police Department:
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Hartford Police Department, the friends and family of their officer who passed away in the line of duty last night. We are also praying for a speedy recovery from the other officer who was injured in the same incident.”
“The members of the NPD send our deepest condolences and prayers to the members of the @hartfordctpolice and the family of the Hartford Police Officer who’s life was lost in the line of duty. We also send our prayers to the officer that was injured during the incident.”
“We join our brothers and sisters in the law enforcement community in mourning the line-of-duty loss suffered in our capital city. Our hearts and condolences are with our colleagues at the Hartford Police Department and the affected families.”
“Our department stands with our sisters and brothers at the Hartford Police Department as they mourn the loss of one of their own, Officer Robert “Bobby” Garten. Our healing thoughts are with the other officer, as they recover from this horrible accident. Our deepest condolences to Officer Garten’s loved ones.”
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the men and women of the Hartford Police Department, who lost one of their own last night in a crash. We also send out support to the officer who was hospitalized with injuries and we hope for a speedy recovery.”
“The Stamford Police Dept sends our deepest condolences to our brother and sister officers at the Hartford Police Department and to the family of Officer Bobby Garten, who was killed in a fatal motor vehicle collision in the line of duty last night.
We are also praying for a speedy recovery for Officer Brian Kearney, who was injured in this motor vehicle collision.”
“The Vernon Police Department offers its condolences to the men and women of the Hartford Police Department as they deal with the loss of one of their officers.”
“Standing with our brothers and sisters in Hartford.”
Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department:
“The Chiefs and Members of the Wethersfield Fire Department send our deepest prayers and condolences to the Garten Family, Hartford Police Department Family and the whole Law Enforcement community on your devastating Line of Duty Death of HPD Officer Garten.”
Willimantic Police Department:
“Chief Paul M. Hussey and the entire Willimantic Police Department extend their condolences and support to the family and friends of Officer Bobby Garten and the entire Hartford Police Department. Officer Garten was killed in a motor vehicle accident last night when his police cruiser was struck by another motorist traveling at a high rate of speed in the area of Asylum Avenue in Hartford, and the accident seriously injured another Hartford Police Officer as well.
The Willimantic Police Department has close professional and personal ties to our brother and sister officers in the Capital City, and the Willimantic Police has worked extensively with the Hartford Police in training and academy programs for many years now.
Please keep the brave women and men of the Hartford Police Department in your thoughts today and remember the dangers that Police Officers across the state and nation face each day. We appreciate your support.”
