Danbury Officer Killed in Hit-and-Run: Police

The Danbury Police Department is mourning the death of one of its officers who was struck by a vehicle on his way to work at about 10:30 p.m. on Thursday.

Officer Donald Hassiak, 41, was riding his bike into work for a midnight shift when he was struck by a driver on Route 7 South, in New Milford, police said.

Hassiak was three-tenths of a mile from the New Milford-Brookfield line when the crash happened. The driver who struck Hassiak fled the scene of the crash, according to New Milford Police.

Hassiak was taken to Danbury Hospital and later pronounced dead from injuries sustained in the crash, police said.

Hassiak was "one of the finest" officers in the city, Mayor Mark Boughton said.

“This incident is a terrible and needless tragedy,” Colin McCormack, chief of the New Milford police department, said. “I cannot comprehend the anguish that such an event must cause Officer Hassiak’s family, friends and fellow law enforcement personnel, especially for the Danbury Police Department, where Officer Hassiak was held in such high regard.”

Police are investigating, have the vehicle they believe was involved in the crash and have a person of interest.

Hassiak, of New Milford, was a 16-year veteran of the police department and his fellow officers are in a "state of shock," said Chief Al Baker.

Hassiek leaves his wife Kim and sons Matthew, Luke, and Donald Jr. 
 

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