Hartford officer released from hospital after being injured in crash that killed detective

A Hartford police officer was released from the hospital Wednesday after being injured in a crash that killed Det. Robert “Bobby” Garten last week.

Officer Brian Kearney was injured on Sept. 6 when the cruiser he was driving was struck by 18-year-old Richard Barrington, who was reportedly fleeing a traffic stop, the Hartford Police Department said.

The cruiser, in which Garten was a passenger, was struck on Asylum Avenue shortly after 10 p.m. while its lights and sirens were activated. Garten died from injuries sustained in the crash, officials said.

Kearney was released from Saint Francis Hospital about 3 p.m. Wednesday, almost a week after the crash, police said. A video released by the Hartford Police Department shows fellow law enforcement officers lined up outside the hospital applauding as Kearney was brought out in a wheelchair with a cast on his leg.

A health care provider hugged Kearney goodbye, and he was helped into a police vehicle.

A public wake will be held Friday at Dunkin’ Park from 2 to 7 p.m. for Garten. The 34-year-old was with the Hartford Police Department for eight years and was posthumously promoted to the rank of detective, police said.

A Celebration of Life ceremony is scheduled to take place at the XL Center in Hartford at 10 a.m. Saturday. A procession will take place after Saturday’s celebration. Burial services will be private.

Fallen Hartford police officer posthumously promoted; wake and celebration of life scheduled

On Saturday, the following roads will be closed for the procession from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to the Wethersfield Police Department: Main Street between Marsh and State Street; Marsh Street from Interstate 91 to Main Street; Hartford Avenue in the area of Main Street; Broad Street in the area of Marsh Street; Silas Deane Highway at Route 5/15 and Jordan Lane; Hartford Avenue between Jordan Lane and State Street; and State Street from Hartford Avenue to Main Street.