During Branford Shooter Scene, East Haven Police Rushed To Help

EAST HAVEN, CT — The hours-long police standoff in Branford last week with an armed man who fired countless rounds from his second-floor Main Street apartment windows had that town paralyzed and in fear.

But East Haven police officers rushed in and not only helped to secure the area to keep people safe, but several took up posts in the line of fire, and, were there to help the man that was shot by Matthew Walker, 38, who when the crisis was over, had killed himself.

In a story Monday about the tactical response of police and SWAT, Branford Police Department Deputy Chief John Aleves called attention to the officers from East Haven for their assistance, bravery and, for helping Ashwin Patel, 65, who was shot outside the Patel family's liquor store.

East Haven officers, who were located at the corner by Pepe's service station, "Were instrumental in securing the perimeter of the Walker's residence and assisted in removing the shooting victim from Pepe's garage to safety," Alves told Patch.

The East Haven officers who responded to the Active Shooter incident in Branford were:

• Lieutenant Kevin Klarman
• K-9 Officer Fred Sego
• Sergeant Joe Mulhern
• Sergeant Jeffrey Vailette
• Sergeant Joe Finoia
• Detective Joe Carangelo
• K-9 Officer Kevin McGuire
• K-9 Officer Donato Palma

According to East Haven police Capt. Joseph M. Murgo, several other East Haven officers responded and held outer perimeters and traffic posts, but the officers named above responded within minutes, placed themselves in harm’s way, extracted a wounded victim and held inner perimeters until the SWAT team arrived."

Read more here>> Inside The Branford Police 'Active Shooter' Tactical Operation