Troopers Honor Fallen Brother

An emotional scene played out along I-91 North of Hartford Friday afternoon.

Hundreds of state troopers, police officers and firefighters lined the side of the highway and stood on bridges and exit ramps as a hearse carried the body of fallen State Trooper Kenneth Hall, 57, returned to a funeral home in Hartford.

Hall was killed Thursday afternoon during a traffic stop. He had pulled over a vehicle in the northbound lanes in Enfield and was in his cruiser when it was struck from behind by a pickup truck.

The driver of the pickup was identified as Michael Pajak, 32, of Enfield. Pajak and his passenger, Jenny Benvenuto, 33, of Windsor, were both critically injured in the crash.

Pajak was scheduled to appear in New Britain Superior Court Friday on charges of Distracted Driving and Failure to Drive in Proper Lane stemming from an incident in May. He had previously pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Pajak was arrested at Baystate Medical Center Friday on an outstanding warrant, according to Massachusetts State Police.

Investigating the crash has been difficult for State Police. "A number of troopers have been assigned here to investigate the crash. Certainly there are friends of the trooper, family, support system that are here," Lt. Paul Vance said.

Trooper Hall is survived by his wife and children. A Facebook page has been created to remember Hall.

Gov. M. Jodi Rell ordered flags across the state lowered to half staff to honor the fallen trooper.

"This is a tragic loss for our state," Gov. Rell said. "It is a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers our state police officers face each day. I ask the people of Connecticut to keep Trooper Hall and his family in their prayers."

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