Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Thank you for your service Officer Hanley !!!!

Sergeant David Dufault (Ret)
Hartford Police Department
Hartford, CT

March 6, 2024

Officer Hanley, it has been 41 years since you were taken from us. New England law enforcement has continued to thrive, learn and become safer due to the traditions and sacrifices you, your family, and many others have made for us. Thank you for your law enforcement service.

Chief (Ret) Steven Marshall
Georges Mills, NH

December 14, 2023

Officer Hanley,
On today, the 25th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Waterbury. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

December 13, 2022

I never had the pleasure of meeting you. I joined the WPD in '84, after your accident.
I did go to see you with other officers.
You seemed to respond when the radio went off. I still think about you and your family,though.
May you be at peace.
And know you are not forgotten.

Officer (retired) Susan Coleman
Waterbury PD

February 4, 2022

22 Years In Heaven ! Forever in Our Hearts and Prayers! Loved and Remembered Always! Love Susan Hanley and Family

Susan Hanley
Wife

December 13, 2019

Rest in peace Officer Hanley.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 21, 2019

On your twentieth year in Heaven my brother, rest well, and may God continue to watch over your loved ones. Many, many high regards to your city and department for stepping up.

Lieutenant Ray Flores
NYPD (retired)

December 13, 2017

RIP Officer, what a great department, keeping you on until your untimely death.

Trooper, badge 351 (ret)
MN STATE PATROL (RET)

August 8, 2013

Bruce,

So many years have gone by, but you have not been forgotten. Not forgotten was your joy of being a loving husband, father, and friend. Not forgotten was your warm smile, gentle nature,
and generosity. Not forgotten was your love of the outdoors, carpentry, and relaxing at home.

Not forgotten was the three times I saw you
at your most proudest moments. Your wedding day, when your daughter was born, and when you wore your police uniform for the first time.

Not forgotten was the night I received word that
you were in the hospital. How your brother-in-laws kept a silent vigil in my parents kitchen through the night into the morning, while I kept mine, in the other room watching your 3mth old daughter in her cradle.

Not forgotten was the 6am call from my mother
telling me you probably weren't going to make it.
Our ride to the hospital was a quiet one. As we entered the waiting room, the distraught look on everyone’s face would erase any hopes of any news of improvement. There would be none. Not on that day.

Not forgotten was the first time I saw you, 8 hours after you were brought into the hospital.
You were on a gurney, your skin was still blue and your body was moving as if you were receiving several thousand electrical currents through it. How I wanted to be of some support to my sister, but could only turn away in shock and walk out the door.

Not forgotten were the days and weeks that followed after. Your color returned to normal, but
the Cat Scans showed severe brain damage. After a month in intensive care, you were transferred to another unit for 2 more months. This is when some of the hardest questions, and toughest decisions had to be made.

Not forgotten was how your wife traveled a total
of 5hrs. a day 4 times a week to oversee your care. After a year you were transferred to a local
facility. That is where you made your home for the next 14 years.

Not forgotten was how strong your mother was
through all of this and how she was there for
you on almost a daily basis.

Not forgotten was how everyone struggled in their own way to deal with this trauma.

Not forgotten was the outpouring of support your fellow officers showed, along with countless
others.

Bruce, we love and miss you.
You are not forgotten.

Nancy
sister-in-law

December 28, 2012

Bruce ,May You shine your light upon us all & Protect us from above. This year on 11/19 1982 marked 30 years of your date of injury, and on 12/13/1997 will mark 15 years of your passing. On these anniversaries and throughout the years you have and will never be forgotten. We Love and miss you. Forever "not" Forgotten, Your Wife Susan

Susan M. Hanley
Wife

November 29, 2012

Bruce, you passed away 12/13/1997. I started the Police Academy for Waterbury on 12/12/97. I'd like to think you passed the torch to me and my fellow Waterbury classmates, Renato Crea, Claribel Martinez, Ricky Crespo and Alfredo Mauriello before you passed. RIP brother.

Det. Shane Dufresne (retired)
Waterbury PD

March 24, 2012

Rest in Peace, Officer Hanley. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

February 4, 2012

I only met you briefly ,after your accident, but I think of your struggle to stay with us and the fight you gave was exceptional,I know I was touched by your strength and sacrifice, God bless you and your family who stayed by your side though it all.

Off. S.M.Coleman (retired)
W.P.D.

December 19, 2011

My father was a wonderful man who laid down his life to protect us! I'm so proud of him! I wish I could have had the chance to get to know him but I know that he is here with me every day in spirit protecting me and guiding me!! Love you Dad

Kristen Hanley
Daughter

November 9, 2011

Thinking of you and all of your loved ones today. You have not been forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon: EOW: 8/8/04

December 13, 2010

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 12th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

December 13, 2009

God Bless you and all others who gave their lives for us. I never really understood how dangerous your jobs are. thank you

Autumn-Citizen
Citizen

January 25, 2008

This is so sad. You are a hero Officer Hanley. To start an extremely dangerous and unforgiving career in your forties is awesome. You will motivate me the next time I strap on the Sam Brown belt and walk out the door. Your family should be extremely proud of you sir. Rest in Peace!!

Patrolman Andrew McGahey
Clinton Police Dept.

December 13, 2007

My thoughts are with all of your loved ones on this anniversary of your EOW. Continue to keep watch over your loved ones. You have not been forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

December 13, 2007

Today is the 10th anniversary of your death. We pause and say a prayer for your family.
You are not forgotten Sir
Chief John Roelandts (retired)
Deborah Roelandts (retired)
Oconomowoc Wisconsin

Chief John Roelandts (retired)
Town of Oconomowoc

December 13, 2007

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

December 9, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service, and thank Waterbury, CT for doing the right thing.

vandenberghe
manchester, nh

December 7, 2007

Thank you sir for your commitment to the city of Waterbury Ct.

I have just updated relrections on all of the offices that have been lost, and hope you never have another one that I have to come back to.

That you for your service and sacrfice.

My sympathy to your wife and family you police family and friends. May you always rest in peace

Pat Van Den Berghe, manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

October 4, 2007

Bruce,

Just a note to let you and your family know that your sacrifice has not been forgotten. Although we have never met, I have had the priviledge of meeting your mother, wife and daughter. I have seen how proud they are of you. May you have comfort in knowing they are part of the WPD family.

May God bless you and your family.

David Jannetty

David Jannetty
Waterbury PD

June 6, 2007

G-d Bless.

December 13, 2006