Jen Faggio and Keith Mackenzie, 1984 Newtown High School graduates, recently reconnected to remember Ms Faggio’s husband, Andrew Faggio [see article in May 10, 2019 Newtown Bee, “NHS Grad Rides In Police Unity Tour to Honor Fallen Officer”]. He was a New Haven police detective who died in January 2012, succumbing to injuries received in the line of duty in January of 2003.

Mr Mackenzie, a retired Bethel officer and current Western Connecticut State University officer, rides each year in the Police Unity Tour, part of National Police Week. Officers ride bicycles in a tour from New Jersey to Washington, DC. Mr Mackenzie rode in remembrance of Detective Faggio this year on a ride that started Friday, May 10, and arrived in Washington several days later.

He met there with Ms Faggio and her sons, Andrew and Nicholas, who had also traveled to Washington to remember and honor their husband and father.

Mr Mackenzie began his ride on May 10 from Somerset, N.J., riding 87 miles to Philadelphia. The next day, he rode 108 miles to Baltimore; and on Sunday, May 12, he covered 57 miles to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC. Mr Faggio’s name is etched there on a wall, forming part of the memorial.

The first two days of Mr Mackenzie’s trip were filled with sun and clouds, but Sunday brought cold, rainy, and windy weather, he said. But the rain had stopped when he arrived at the memorial where he met with Ms Faggio and her sons. He returned home by train.

Mr Mackenzie gave the Faggios bracelets reading “In honor and memory of Det. Andrew Faggio,” with an end-of-watch date, January 11, 2012.