Minneapolis police raising money to send officers to funeral of CT native killed in line of duty
Police in Minneapolis are trying to raise enough money to send numerous officers to Connecticut to attend the funeral for one of their own.
The funeral for Minneapolis Police Department Officer Jamal Mitchell, a New Haven native, is on Monday at the Hillhouse High School Floyd Little Athletic Center.
Police in Minneapolis are hoping to send 50 officers along with 20 Honor Guard officers to pay their respects, but heading into the weekend they were well short of their $100,000 goal that would cover their flights, hotels, rental cars, food and other expenses, according to a GoFundMe launched by Amy Sizer, president of the Minneapolis Police Foundation.
“Officer Mitchell made such a huge impact in the short time that he was here with us,” Sizer said. “Our goal at the Minneapolis Police Foundation is to make sure people in Connecticut know how much we appreciate him and his sacrifice, and to thank them for lending him to us for that short time.”
As of Friday afternoon, the fundraiser had generated over $13,000.
In addition to the GoFundMe, donations can also be made by contacting the foundation, Sizer said.
Mitchell, 36, was killed in the line of duty on May 30 when he responded to a shots fired complaint and tried helping a man in the street who he thought was injured, according to the Associated Press. The man shot Mitchell multiple times without warning.
The gunman and two others were also killed.
Mitchell had been a police officer for about 18 months. He was memorialized earlier this week in Minneapolis during an event that drew thousands of law enforcement, family and friends.
Mitchell’s body was transported to Connecticut following the memorial service.
“Officers everywhere need visible signs of emotional and physical support, which means we need to get Minneapolis officers to his final resting place,” Sizer said.
Mitchell’s funeral services on Monday are open to the public. Viewing hours are from 9 to 11 a.m. and will be followed by the service.
The slain officer will be buried at Evergreen Cemetery in New Haven.
“Officer Mitchell and his story have touched the hearts of a lot of people, and different organizations have stepped up to fund different pieces of the travel arrangements and costs,” Sizer said.
“If there is any surplus, it will go to funding a memorial for Officer Mitchell at his precinct. Of course, his family lives here. We want to honor him, and them, and provide a place they can go to remember him.”
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.