Two grants from the Sgt. Alex Hamzy Memorial Fund at Main Street Community Foundation were awarded last week to organizations and programs that inspire future law enforcement, according to a release from the foundation.

The City of Bristol Police Department received a grant to support the youth cadet program, of which Hamzy was an advisor, and the Northeast Regional Law Enforcement Educational Association received a grant to support the cadet training program. The grants were $2,500 each.

Hamzy was an eight-year veteran of the Bristol Police Department who was killed in the line of duty on Oct. 12, 2022.

“At just 34 years old, Alex lived a life of accomplishments that reads more like a person who was decades older. He always wanted to be a police officer and served his hometown of Bristol with dedication, conviction, and integrity,” the release states.

To continue his legacy and honor his selfless service to his community, Hamzy’s family established the Sgt. Alex Hamzy Memorial Fund at Main Street Community Foundation in October 2022. As a donor advised fund, grants from this Fund are awarded to organizations at the recommendation of Hamzy’s family to causes that meant a lot to him.

Alex was passionate about teaching young adults the values needed to succeed in serving their community and mentoring those who wished to pursue a career in law enforcement, the release states.

“Anything involving kids was so important to Alex,” said Bristol Police Lt. Eric Hanson in the release. “He was at the forefront of all programs involving youth.”

Hamzy was a longtime advisor of the youth cadet program, which is for young men and women ages 14-21 looking to experience policing through instruction, demonstration and hands on training.

“This grant will allow the cadets to attend a weeklong residential academy at Westfield State University, many of whom would not be able to attend otherwise due to financial reasons,” said Deputy Chief Robert Osborne. “Alex always participated in this academy and loved taking the cadets.”

The Northeast Regional Law Enforcement Educational Association (NERLEEA) provides education and opportunities to youth who are interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement, mostly through a series of training events.

“This grant will directly subsidize the cost of the Tactical Challenge, a competition that features various scenarios to test cadets’ skills and solve situations under stress,” said Robert Smedley, Director of NERLEEA.

“Alex loved participating in this challenge. But it is more than a challenge, it is also a tribute to the memory of Sergeant Alex Hamzy and Lieutenant Dustin Demonte, who was also killed in the line of duty on October 12, and we have renamed the Tactical Challenge in their names.”

“These organizations were incredibly important to Alex, and these grants are so much more than just checks,” said Susan Sadecki, President & CEO of Main Street Community Foundation.

Anyone interested in donating to the Sergeant Alex Hamzy Memorial Fund can donate online at www.mainstreetfoundation.org/sgt-alex-hamzy-memorial-fund, or can send donations to Main Street Community Foundation, P.O. Box 2702, Bristol, CT 06010.

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