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Incident
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 car, 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. In 2025, he pleaded guilty to manslaughter, first-degree assault, and interfering with a police officer and was sentenced to 16 years.
Detective Garten had served with the Hartford Police Department for eight years. He was a second-generation police officer whose father retired as a detective with the agency.
Survivors
He is survived by his parents, brother, nephews, and grandmother.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Garten gave the Hartford Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hartford community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Garten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Hartford Police Department has lost 8 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Robert is one of 74 officers killed feloniously in CT, 43.8% of the 169 remembered there.
Robert is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Robert is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2023, 1 officer at Hartford Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 2023, 1 officer in CT was killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 62 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 4.
In 2023, 61 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 123rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2023, 68 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 114th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Robert was 34. Of the 4 killed feloniously at Hartford Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32.5 and 41; the middle age was 37. Robert had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Robert was 34. Of the 70 killed feloniously in CT whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 46.5; the middle age was 39. Robert had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 10.5 years.
Robert was 34. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 34. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 20% of these deaths at Hartford Police Department; March holds the most, 20%. Wednesdays: 20%.
September holds 9.5% of these deaths in CT; May holds the most, 13.5%. Wednesdays: 14.9%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 62.5% of all 8 deaths at Hartford Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 43.8% of all 169 deaths in CT, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 14.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
His people
Hartford Police Department has 8 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 35-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Hartford Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
