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Community mourns for Dunkirk officer

OBSERVER Photo by Nicole Gugino This wreath with the number 63 was place in front of Dunkirk Police headquarters Monday along with the black bunting over the door in memory of the late Matthew L. Hazelton, a K-9 officer who died Sunday.

Monday was an emotional day at the Dunkirk Police Station as officers and the community mourned the loss of one of their own.

Officer Matthew L. Hazelton was many things — a father, husband, son, K-9 officer, community member and a Brocton High School graduate — and during his 39 years, he touched the lives of many.

Hazelton served on the Dunkirk force for 14 and a half years, participating in the Dive Team, the SRT tactical team and most recently as the K-9 officer.

“We’re heartbroken here, there’s no question about it,” Dunkirk Police Chief David Ortolano said. “He was a fine young man and an amazing police officer. The last two days have been very long and tough for all of us. Here at the department we’ve been trying to assist his wife and daughter and give them the support from the department as well.”

The Brocton community is also feeling Hazelton’s loss.

“It is truly a very sad and heartbreaking news to hear of the passing of Matt Hazelton. Matt was a BCS graduate from the Class of 1995 and a dedicated K-9 police officer of the Dunkirk Police force. Matt and his family have been dedicated to the Brocton-Portland communities and to Brocton Central School for a number of years through a variety of volunteer activities. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family during these difficult times,” Brocton Superintendent Jason Delcamp told the OBSERVER.

In a show of mourning, there a wreath with the number 63 was placed in front of Dunkirk Police Headquarters on Fourth Street and a black bunting was hung over the door.

“All of our thoughts and prayers and love right now are with Matthew’s family and we’re doing the best we can to support them at this time,” Ortolano added.

Hazelton’s obituary appears on Page A2 today. Calling hours are Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home on Central Avenue. Hazelton’s funeral will take place at 10 a.m. on Thursday and a police car will sit outside.

After funeral services, there will be a police procession down Central Avenue to Route 5 and on to the cemetery in Portland where Hazelton will be interred. Two fire trucks will be parked at the intersection of Fourth and Central with a flag draped over the street as the procession passes through.

The family asks that memorials in Matt’s memory be made to the ALS Association Upstate New York Chapter, 135 Old Cove Road, Suite 213, Liverpool, NY 13090.

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