Detective Robert Garten

Detective Robert Garten

Hartford Police Department, Connecticut

End of Watch Wednesday, September 6, 2023

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Robert Garten

Detective Bobby Garten was killed when his patrol car was struck by a fleeing vehicle at the intersection of Asylum Avenue and Broad Street at about 10:30 p.m.

Officers initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle with canceled registration tags. As they approached the vehicle, it sped north on Broad Street; however, officers did not pursue it.

Detective Garten was in the passenger seat of a patrol car traveling east on Asylum Avenue with emergency equipment activated en route to another incident. The fleeing car sped through the Farmington Avenue red traffic signal, and as it was speeding through the red traffic signal at Asylum Avenue, it struck the passenger side of the cruiser.

Detective Garten and the officer driving the cruiser were transported to St. Francis Hospital where Officer Garten succumbed to his injuries. The other officer was admitted in stable condition.

The subject was charged with failure to obey a traffic control signal, failure to renew registration, misuse of plates, and interfering with a police officer. His charges were upgraded to first-degree manslaughter and first-degree assault, reckless endangerment, disobeying the direction of an officer, reckless driving, DUI, and failure to yield to an emergency vehicle.

Detective Garten had served with the Hartford Police Department for eight years. He was a second-generation police officer. He is survived by his parents, brother, nephews, and grandmother.

Detective Garten was posthumously promoted to detective.

Bio

  • Age 34
  • Tour 8 years
  • Badge 1781

Incident Details

  • Cause Vehicular assault
  • Weapon Automobile
  • Offender Charged with first-degree manslaughter

vehicle crash, emergency response

Most Recent Reflection

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Detective Garten, it has been 1 years since you were taken from us. New England law enforcement continues to serve and protect and make life secure for our part of the country. I honor your 8 years of law enforcement service to the citizens of Connecticut.

Chief (Ret) Steven Marshall
Georges Mills, NH

September 6, 2024

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