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Funeral Services Set For Drew Carlson, 38, Danbury Police Officer

DANBURY, Conn. — Funeral services have been set for Danbury Police Sgt. Drew Frederick Carlson, a New Fairfield resident who died Sunday. He was 38.

Danbury Police Officer Drew Carlson

Danbury Police Officer Drew Carlson

Photo Credit: Facebook/Bernie Meehan

Carlson was a 13-year veteran of the Danbury police force.

He died after he barricaded himself in a hotel in Southbury. His death, of a gunshot wound to the head, was ruled a suicide, according to the chief medical examiner's office. 

In 2002, Carlson graduated from the Connecticut Police Academy. After performing security officer duties at Danbury Hospital, he began his law enforcement career in New Fairfield and then moved to Danbury in 2004. 

As he worked his way up through the ranks, Carlson became a skilled field training officer and mentor to new members. He understood the rigors of being a novice in the police department and often worked through holidays and took on double shifts so that more junior officers could spend time with their families.

In 2016, Carlson was promoted to sergeant. He received a Meritorious Citation in 2014 and in 2016 received a life-saving medal. 

His death was mourned by first responders in Danbury, where flags were lowered to half-staff.  

"Our thoughts and prayers for the Danbury PD and the family of our lost Police Officer," Mayor Mark Boughton said.

Related story: Danbury Police Sergeant Commits Suicide After Barricading Himself In Hotel

Carlson was born in Danbury on May 25, 1979. He attended St. Peter School and Henry Abbott Technical High School, where he excelled in many sports, including basketball and baseball, and graduated in 1997. 

He transferred his love of sports into a lifelong passion for the Mets, and there was nothing he enjoyed more than taking his family to Citi Field for an afternoon game. 

Carlson is survived by his wife of 14 years, Erin Cullen Carlson; his children Kayla, Taylor and Tyler; his parents, Lynn and Wayne Carlson; sister Kristina Carlson and her partner Alan Roberts; brother Scott Carlson; niece Elaina and grandniece Mia; nephews John, Joseph, Beckett and Finley; aunt and uncle Doreen and David Arconti; as his mother-in-law Kathy Cullen; father-law Robert Cullen and his wife Pearl; as well as many other aunts, uncles and cousins. 

He also leaves behind many friends, especially Justin Williams, Jeffrey Raines and Daniel Santiago, and fellow officer comrades in both the New Fairfield and Danbury Police Departments. 

He was predeceased by his grandparents Robert and Lorraine Sutter; and his uncle Robert Sutter, Jr.

Friends will be received from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7, at the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, Sept. 8, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Peter Church, 104 Main St., Danbury. Burial will follow at Saint Peter Cemetery in Danbury.  

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.

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