By Monica Potts
Staff Writer
March 22, 2008
STAMFORD - Police departments from around the region and an American Red Cross chapter provided help after reports that Norwalk police officer was shot in the line of duty early yesterday morning.
Officer Matthew Morelli was found fatally shot by officers responding to his call for back up at Lubrano Place in South Norwalk after midnight.
Officers from Stamford, Darien, New Canaan, East Haven and Westchester County, N.Y., were among those who arrived shortly thereafter to assist in the hunt for possible suspects, secure the crime scene, direct traffic, and respond to other calls.
Stamford police sent 10 officers on the night shift, 10 officers on the day shift, a command center and a light tower.
The Darien Police Department sent about 15 officers and the New Canaan police sent at least eight.
Those officers primarily assisted with routine patrols, supervisors said.
The Mid-Fairfield County Chapter of the American Red Cross arrived shortly after 2 a.m. to provide water, coffee and snacks.
"Canteens are important," said Mike Vincelli, a Red Cross volunteer who was at the scene. "They keep the first responders going long hours under stressful and sometimes dangerous situations."
- Staff Writer Zach Lowe contributed to this story.
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