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05/14/2018 12:00 AMJoin the South Central Regional SWAT Team (SCR-SWAT) team at the Stony Creek Brewery in Branford on Thursday, May 24, from 3 to 9 p.m. for a public fundraiser event to benefit the officers and families affected by the May 2 North Haven explosion. The day will include beer, food, raffles, and some laughs. Each ticket ($30) will include admission, two Stony Creek craft beers, raffle tickets, and food donated by Donovan’s Reef, Tommy Sullivan’s, John and Maria’s, and Home Restaurant.
On May 2, SCR-SWAT, composed of officers from the towns of North Haven, East Haven, Branford, North Branford, Madison, and Guilford, were conducting an operation in North Haven on Quinnipiac Avenue. Officers were deployed to a residence in an attempt to effect an arrest following an investigation of a domestic violence incident reported earlier. Officers attempted to draw out the suspect peacefully for several hours. Officers began securing the various buildings on the property when suddenly a massive explosion occurred in the barn. Numerous SWAT officers were in the immediate vicinity of the building when the building exploded, causing a massive fire that spread to several buildings on the property. The force of the explosion was so violent, the officers were blown off their feet, away from the structure. Amid the chaos, officers on scene, including injured officers, acted heroically, rushing toward the danger to rescue their injured comrades. These officers are the bravest of the brave, working dangerous conditions to keep our communities safe.
Nine officers sustained serious injuries and were hospitalized following the blast. Five officers from East Haven, three from North Haven, and one from Branford were sent to the hospital with injuries including concussions, broken bones, burns, and leg and knee injuries. While all of the officers have finally been released from the hospital, several have very long roads to recovery for their physical and psychological injuries. Some have had, and others will require, surgeries. All of them need our help. Our brother officers need our emotional support, but also need financial support as some are single-income families and rely on overtime to survive.
Money raised at the fundraiser and via a gofundme page will help the officers support their families. Any additional funds not used to support the officers will be donated to charitable organizations that support law enforcement. For tickets, visit www.eventbrite.com; to donate, visit www.gofundme.com.