Cops Rally Outside Alleged Shooter's Hearing

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Nearly 100 police officers are rallying Monday morning in front of Hartford Superior Court, where an alleged police shooter is in court.

They are there to urge the community to stand united and support police officers who put their lives on the line every day.

Dwayne Powell, 26, was in court on Monday, three weeks after one of his family members made inflammatory comments justifying the shooting of officer Michael Bodner.

Bodner, 28, was shot on Nov. 11 when Hartford police tried to stop Powell to question him as part of an ongoing burglary and he ran, police said.

When police caught up with Powell, he became violent, fought with the officers, pulled a gun and shot, police said. Bodner was shot in the right arm and right leg.

“We want the community to know that any comments advocating the assaulting should not and can not be tolerate by the very society we serve,” Richard Rodriguez, president of the Hartford Police Union, said. “We invite our community to step forward and support the men and woman who are sworn to protect them.”

About 20 percent of police officers have been assaulted in 2009, according to Hartford police union. Forty one officers were killed in 2008 and 68 died in accidents while performing their duties, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Rodriguez said the ambush and murder of four police officers over the weekend in Washington State further reinforces the dangerous nature of police work today.

“What happened over the weekend in Washington is tragic and it’s symptomatic of what is now occurring across the country,” Steven Reif, president of the state police union, said. “This is not part of our job and so there has to be a strong stake taken. That is why we are here, united not only for law enforcement here in Connecticut, but law enforcement across the country.”

Rodriguez is calling upon the state Legislature to pass legislation mandating severe minimum sentences for those who assault police officers once convicted.

“People who decide and choose to assault police officers will know that there will be certain penalties attached to that and without question,” Sen. John Fonfara said.