HARTFORD, Conn. — Fallen Hartford Police officer, Robert “Bobby” Garten was laid to rest on Saturday.
During his funeral, he was ceremoniously promoted to the rank of detective and his partner, Brian Kearney, gave his Medal of Valor, the highest honor you can get as an officer to Detective Garten.
"I can hear him saying it’s ok Brian, I got this. It will be ok,” said officer Brian Kearney.
Row by row, friends, family, and brothers and sisters in blue filled the XL Center to honor Garten's life.
“Bobby, you were born my little brother and died my hero,” said his older brother, Will Garten.
Garten, an 8-year Hartford Police veteran died on September 6.
Police said 18-year-old Richard Barrington sped off from a traffic stop, ran two red lights, and crashed into Garten and his partner Brian Kearney’s police cruiser.
Kearney has since been released from the hospital.
“A partner's love is one that takes two strangers and makes them brothers. Brothers who promise to protect each other no matter what,” said Kearney.
That promise, he said was kept up to the very end.
“We knew the dangers, but we knew we would protect each other,” said Kearney.
Through tears and heartache, many shared what made Bobby so loved, like his love for hockey.
"We would sit in section 110 and watch Whaler games making mom and dad run to concessions for cotton candy, ice cream and popcorn so we didn’t miss any action,” said Garten.
He had an even bigger love for food.
“I didn’t understand how that boy could keep eating but I guess you can say the only thing bigger than his heart was his stomach.”
Following the funeral, a sea of support from officers trailing behind in a procession to pay their respects one last time.
Friends and family said their final goodbyes at the burial site.
Photos: Hartford Police Det. Robert 'Bobby' Garten funeral and motorcade
“I love you Bob and I will see you again. Unit 133 is signing off,” said Kearney.
Remembering this fallen hero.
“His time serving with us here has ended, but his service to mankind has just begun,” said Hartford Police Chief, Jason Thody. "Let’s honor him by sharing his smile. Maybe it’s a smile with those you love, maybe it’s a stranger and may we all let Bobby’s bright light shine on,”
Detective Garten's legacy will continue to live on within the Hartford Police Department. Chief Thody said his locker will be retired with a glass door so he will always be honored for his ultimate sacrifice.
DeAndria Turner is a multi-media journalist at FOX61 News. She can be reached at dturner@fox61.com.
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