Remembering Minneapolis and New Haven police officer killed while responding to emergency call

NEW HAVEN, Connecticut (WTNH) — A Minneapolis police officer and New Haven native who was shot and killed in the line of duty was remembered Tuesday.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said 36-year-old police officer Jamal Mitchell will forever be remembered as a hero in the city.

“Minneapolis Police Officer Jamal Mitchell embodied all that was good about the men and women of the Minneapolis Police Department and about police officers in this state and this country,” Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said at his memorial service Tuesday.

Mitchell was killed in what investigators called an ambush on May 30. They said he was responding to a call about a double shooting and tried to help a man he thought was injured. That man shot Mitchell multiple times. Three other people, including the shooter, were killed.

“Jamal’s heart showed that I care,” said Denise Raper, Mitchell’s aunt. “It showed deep concern that no matter who you are or what difficulties you are going through, I am here to help you.”

Mitchell’s body will arrive at Bradley International Airport at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. From there, Connecticut State Police and New Haven police will meet his family and Minneapolis officials. They will be escorted to McClam Funeral Home in New Haven.

Viewing will be from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., and the funeral will be held on June 17 at 11:00 a.m. Both events are open to the public and will be held at the Floyd Little Athletic Center at Hillhouse High School.

“We will have a small group of officers there to greet the casket as it comes off the plane. We will then have a full vehicle escort and escort the body to McClam Funeral Home in New Haven,” said New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker.

New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson expects officers from across Connecticut and the country to show their support and solidarity in mourning the loss of one of their own.

“He responded to a 911 call and was murdered,” Jacobson said. “This is every police officer’s worst nightmare. We have to be there to support him and his family.”

Mitchell, who was engaged and had four children, had been with the police force for about 18 months. He was the first Minneapolis police officer to die from gunfire since 2002.