Three years after his passing, New Haven Officer Robert Fumiatti's death may soon be reclassified as in the line of duty.
Fumiatti was shot in the face during a drug raid in the city's Hill neighborhood in 2002.
He survived the shooting, and spent two years recovering from his injuries, before returning to limited duty with the department.
In 2007, Fumiatti died of what the Medical Examiner called an undiagnosed heart ailment, but his family and the department contended his death was related to the 2002 shooting.
The Department of Justice confirmed Friday that a Public Safety Officers' Benefits hearing officer recommended approval of a line of duty benefit for Fumiatti.
"The Acting Director of the Department's Bureau of Justice Assistance is reviewing the hearing officer's determination and final action on this case is expected shortly," Justice Department spokesperson Michelle Muth Person said Friday.
The determination would mean Fumiatti's name would be added to the wall in Washington, D.C. that honors officers who were killed in the line of duty.
"Rob can rest in peace because this is how it was supposed to be -- to be honored as an officer who fell in the line of duty," Michael Fumiatti, Rob's brother told the New Haven Register. There is no better tribute for a person than to have their name memorialized on this wall. His name will be there forever and ever."
