PFIA REMEMBERS

WE PAY OUR RESPECTS TO OUR FALLEN HEROES

Police Officer Dillon Michael Vakoff Arvada Police Department, CO 3-year veteran

Police Officer Dillon Vakoff was shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance. He and another officer were attempting to break up a fight between the family members when one of the involved men opened fire, wounding a woman who was also involved in the disturbance. The subject then exchanged shots with Officer Vakoff and the other officer. Officer Vakoff was mortally wounded before the subject was also shot. Officer Vakoff was transported to Lutheran Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. Officer Vakoff was a U.S. Air Force veteran and had served with the Arvada Police Department for three years.

Police Officer Seara Burton Richmond Police Department, IN 4-year veteran

Police Officer Seara Burton succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained while conducting a traffic stop on August 10, 2022. Other officers had requested her assistance to stop a moped being driven by a narcotics suspect. Officer Burton had deployed her canine partner, Brev, who indicated to the presence of narcotics in the moped. As officers began to search the vehicle, the man pulled out a concealed handgun and opened fire, striking Officer Burton in the head. The man was shot and wounded by other officers before he fled on foot. He was taken into custody following a brief foot pursuit. Officer Burton was flown to Miami Valley Hospital where she remained on life support until September 1. She was taken to a hospice facility on September 3 and succumbed to her wounds on September 18, 2022. Officer Burton had served with the Richmond Police Department for four years. She is survived by her fiancée, mother, and stepmother. Officer Burton was shot nine days before her scheduled wedding date to her fiancée.

Sergeant Alex Hamzy Bristol Police Department, CT 8-year veteran and Lieutenant Dustin Demonte Bristol Police Department, CT 10-year veteran

Sergeant Alex Hamzy and Lieutenant Dustin Demonte were shot and killed in an ambush in front of a home. Officers had responded to a business earlier in the evening in response to complaints about a disorderly patron. Officers who responded to the call issued the man a summons and released him. The man then went home, armed himself with an AR-15 rifle, and made a fake 911 call reporting a disturbance at his home. As officers arrived at the scene, the man opened fire on them from the front yard. Sergeant Hamzy and Lieutenant Demonte were both fatally wounded, while a third officer suffered nonlife-threatening wounds. The subject was found dead with a gunshot wound at the home. Sergeant Hamzy had served with the Bristol Police Department for eight years. He is survived by his wife, parents, and two sisters. Sergeant Hamzy was posthumously promoted to Sergeant.