12/03/2025
Officer Alex Cruz of the Simsbury Police Department traveled to Florida as part of the wider law enforcement family that rallies whenever an officer is killed in the line of duty. His presence alongside other officers showed Sergeant Sweeting‑Mashkow’s family and colleagues that they do not grieve alone, and that her sacrifice is honored well beyond the borders of Indian River County.
By standing watch in uniform, sharing in the salutes, and adding his badge to those encircling her memorial, Officer Cruz represented not only Simsbury but every officer who continues to serve despite the risks. His trip is a tangible expression of the profession’s promise: to remember the fallen, support their families, and keep serving with the
