'Testament to who he was.' Hundreds of first responders pay their respects at funeral for fallen Bridgeport police officer
Officer Whiteside died in an off-duty motorcycle crash in Danbury during the early morning hours of July 13.
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It was an emotional Friday morning in Bethel as hundreds of first responders from across the state traveled to Walnut Hill Community church to say their final goodbyes to fallen Bridgeport Police officer Cooper "Coop" Whiteside.
"To see as many different police departments, fire departments, EMS crews come out to honor Cooper," Sgt. Joseph Pires, of the Bridgeport Police Department says, "is a testament to who he was as an officer, as a first responder, and as a person."
Officer Whiteside died in an off-duty motorcycle crash in Danbury during the early morning hours of July 13.
He served with the Bridgeport Police Department for two years.
"The turnout here was tremendous," Chief Roderick Porter says. "It's a testament to the type of officer and type of person he was."
Officer Whiteside was also a firefighter with the Stony Hill volunteer fire department, Brookfield fire department, and was a captain in training with the West Redding volunteer fire department.
"It's unbelievable to know that someone could be involved so much in community, in volunteer work, in public service through police departments, fire departments, a family man," Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim said, "in his short 38 years."
Officer Whiteside's girlfriend, 34-year-old Brittany Islami, was riding as a passenger on the bike at the time of the accident.
The mother of three young children also died in the crash.
A GoFundMe continues to collect donations for Islami's kids.
Officer Whiteside's fellow officers say his memory will live on.
"He touched many lives in many ways," Sgt. Pires says. "And we are all better for knowing him."
