The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) today announced Officer Alec Iurato of the Bristol, Connecticut, Police Department as the Officer of the Month for December 2022. This officer was selected for the honor after returning fire on an armed suspect who shot and killed two of his fellow officers.
Late in the evening of October 12, Lieutenant Dustin DeMonte, Sergeant Alex Hamzy and Officer Alec Iurato responded to a possible domestic violence incident. After arriving on the scene, the officers began speaking with a man inside the home and asked him to step out to talk with them. Without warning, the officers began taking heavy gunfire. The suspect fired more than 80 rounds at the officers, striking all three, and ultimately killing Lieutenant DeMonte and Sergeant Hamzy. Despite being struck himself, Officer Iurato maintained his composure and moved to a position of cover. He was then able to determine the suspect’s position and returned fire, striking and killing the armed suspect.
The ongoing investigation, as reported by Chief of Police Brian Gould, suggests the suspect intentionally fabricated the report of domestic violence in an effort to purposefully lure and target law enforcement officers. This incident serves to highlight both the dangers associated with law enforcement and the increasing number of incidents where officers are specifically targeted for violence.
“The heroic actions of Officer Iurato exemplify both the incredible danger inherent to the profession and the amazing heroism which is often exhibited by those who perform this selfless work,” said Marcia Ferranto, CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. “We are proud to honor Officer Alec Iurato as our Officer of the Month for December 2022.”
The Officer of the Month Award Program is sponsored by the Police Unity Tour and recognizes federal, state and local officers who distinguish themselves through exemplary law enforcement service and devotion to duty.
About the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund
Established in 1984, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring the fallen, telling the story of American law enforcement, and making it safer for those who serve. The first pillar of this mission, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., honors the names of all of the 23,229 officers who have died in the line of duty to date throughout U.S. history. Additionally, NLEOMF maintains and publishes comprehensive details on the circumstances surrounding official line-of-duty deaths. The Officer Safety and Wellness pillar uses that data, coupled with best-practice program models, to produce programming directed at solutions to improve survivability and enhance wellness. NLEOMF’s third pillar, the National Law Enforcement Museum (LawEnforcementMuseum.org), is committed to preserving the history of American law enforcement and sharing the experiences of service and sacrifice for generations to come.
