James Sánchez

Our community is devastated after a brave Hartford police officer was tragically killed in the line of duty. Officer Bobby Garten’s life was cut short in a crash while responding to a call in Hartford last week. Garten was in the passenger seat of a police cruiser when a driver struck the vehicle at a high rate of speed on Asylum Avenue. The driver, Officer Brian Kearney, was seriously hurt and released from Saint Francis Hospital on Wednesday, a week after the crash. I wish him a speedy recovery.

My thoughts are with the family of Bobby Garten, his loved ones, and the entire Hartford Police Department. This tragedy is heartbreaking and serves as a reminder that law enforcement risk their lives every day to protect our community. Officer Garten was an eight-year veteran of the Hartford Police Department and was the son of a Hartford police detective. He was a role model who inspired others to be the best they could be through their actions, values, and achievements.

The governor’s office has directed all U.S. and state flags in Connecticut to be lowered to pay tribute to the life and memory of Officer Garten. A wake will be held on Friday, September 15 at 2 P.M. at Dunkin’ Park in Hartford. A funeral will take place on Saturday, September 16 at 10 A.M. at the XL Center. Both events are open to the public.

I would like to thank the Connecticut Institute for Community Development (CICD) - Puerto Rican Parade Committee for having the foresight to postpone the Hartford Puerto Rican Parade and Festival. We are still grieving as a community, and the committee recognized that now is not the time for a celebration.

Officer Bobby Garten was an amazing person, brother, son, and police officer. Our community will never be the same without him, and he will be sorely missed.