Cousin of fallen Bristol officer selling battery-operated luminaries in his honor

BRISTOL, Conn. (WTNH) — White paper bags with battery-operated candles are illuminating more than blue lights — it’s a show of solidarity.

Gabby Hamzy is selling luminaries as a fundraiser to honor her fallen cousin, Bristol Sgt. Alex Hamzy.

Hamzy and Lt. Dustin DeMonte were killed in the line of duty during an ambush on Oct. 12, 2022.

“It’s just as much of a shock now as it was two years ago,” Gabby said.

Gabby started selling luminaries last year and raised more than $7,000 for the Alex Hamzy Memorial Fund.

“I just figured, why not do it again [this year]?” Gabby said. “It’s a great way to keep [Alex’s] memory alive and just who he was as a person.”

As a person, Alex was more than Gabby’s cousin.

“To me, he was more like a brother than anything,” Gabby said. “He was just so personable. He could make friends with anybody. He was always there for people, very outgoing and loving guy.”

Gabby’s asking people to buy a bag at the Hamzy Law Firm on Farmington Avenue in Bristol , then place the luminary outside of their home on the evening of Sat., Oct. 12.

“I’ve even heard from people as far as South Carolina, who tell me they still have blue lights on,” Gabby said. “So, it’s just really incredible to experience.”

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