Family honors fallen Hartford police detective’s legacy through memorial fund

HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Hartford Police Detective Robert “Bobby” Garten, who was killed in the line of duty in September, will be honored at the Hartford Yard Goats’ home opener on Tuesday night.

Garten’s nephew, Liam, will sing the national anthem.

“With him not there, it’s going to be a little harder, but I’m going to sing loud for him to hear,” Liam said.

Garten’s family will throw out a ceremonial pitch with his Officer Brian Kearney’s family.

“The plan right now is for the city of Hartford to remember Bobby and honor him at a place he absolutely loved,” Kimber Garten, his sister-in-law, told News 8.

Garten died Sept. 6 in the line of duty. The 34-year-old was responding to a call with Kearney when a driver fleeing a traffic stop ran a red light and hit their cruiser, according to police.

“I don’t think anyone has really comprehended what’s happened or what’s going on or what’s missing,” Kimber Garten said. “But I don’t think they ever will.”

As they continued to process the tremendous loss, the Garten family created the Detective Robert “Bobby” Garten Memorial Fund.

Kimber Garten said they’re hoping to continue his legacy of compassion, kindness and generosity through the fund.

“No matter who you are, what you needed – that’s just who he was,” she said.

They’ve recently donated to a Boy Scouts troop in Wethersfield for their summer camp. In partnership with the Yard Goats, they’ll be awarding a scholarship to a greater Hartford student pursuing a career in law enforcement.

“We really want it to go towards causes that were near and dear to Bobby,” Kimber Garten said.

Learn more about the Detective Robert “Bobby” Garten Memorial Fund here.