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Police positively identified Trooper First Class Kevin Miller as the casualty in Thursday’s crash, which shut down a stretch of the eastbound interstate on Thursday as investigators combed the area.
Miller’s cruiser collided with the tractor-trailer shortly after 12:30 p.m. on Thursday afternoon, near exit 68. According to reports, he had been serving the Connecticut State Police for 19 years in Troop C before his death.
Connecticut Gov. Daniel Malloy announced that all United States and state flags will be lowered to half-staff to honor Miller’s life and service. Flags will remain at half-staff until memorial services are held, details of which have not been released.
Miller was a member of the 108th Training Troop, graduating from the Connecticut State Police Academy on March 19, 1999. "We are grateful for his dedicated service to the Connecticut State Police and the residents of Connecticut, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time," state police officials said in a statement.
This is the second time this year that a Connecticut State Police trooper was killed in a motor vehicle accident, after Trooper Danielle Miller was killed on Feb. 3 while she was off duty in Walcott.
In a statement, Malloy said "we are deeply saddened and heartbroken by the tragic loss of Trooper First Class Miller – a man who dedicated his life to serving the people of Connecticut.
"State troopers and members of law enforcement put their lives on the line each and every day in order to selflessly protect the people of our state, and they deserve our utmost respect for the service they provide."
“Trooper First Class Kevin Miller was a veteran of the State Police – his death is a shock and a tragedy,” Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman added. “Our hearts are with his family and friends, and his brothers and sisters at the Connecticut State Police as they mourn his loss. We are fortunate and proud; he served the people of Connecticut with honor and commitment. We are forever grateful for his service.”
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