Hundreds of family members, friends, dignitaries, citizens and police from across the state attended Wednesday's wake in Terryville for Officer Alex Hamzy of the Bristol Police.
Most could speak of his impact, but a few offered a special perspective: teen members of the Bristol Youth Cadets.
Hamzy and Sgt. Dustin DeMonte, both killed last Wednesday night in Bristol, were advisors to the group.
Members call Hanzy an inspiration. He taught the cadets about his experience as a regional SWAT team member, adding some fun along the way.
"He was so funny," says youth cadet Nayarit Sanchez-Ventura, 15. "When we were doing training for SWAT, he would play basic tricks on us."
The cadets say that last week's violence won't deter them from a potential career in law enforcement.
"A lot of people have told us that because of this event that we should be scared, and it's a scary field," says cadet Aemun Burhan, 16, "but I feel like for all of us cadets it made us more eager to become police officers and to carry the legacy of Officer Hamzy and Dustin DeMonte."
The Bristol Police Dept. announced Wednesday that both men have been posthumously promoted: Alex Hamzy to sergeant and DeMonte to lieutenant.
A promotion ceremony will be held at their funeral at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Friday at 11 am. It is open to the public. All mourners are asked to be seated by 9:30 am. Bristol Police also ask that members of the public park in the Gray or Red lots, then enter the stadium through gates C or D.
Gov. Ned Lamont and challenger Bob Stefanowski both attended the wake.