Thomas Breen photos
Alder Antunes (right) with Officer Hinton's wife Genoveva and kids.
Mourners at Monday's Board of Alders meeting.
Several dozen city cops, family members, and friends turned out to City Hall to honor the life of New Haven Police Officer Michael Hinton one day after the eight-year veteran died of cancer.
That was the scene Monday night in the Aldermanic Chamber on the second floor of City Hall.
At the start of the latest regular meeting of the full Board of Alders, aldermanic President Tyisha Walker-Myers called Hinton’s family to the front of the room for a special recognition of the late 46-year-old city police officer, who passed away on Sunday after a year and a half struggle with cancer.
“On behalf of the entire Board of Alders, we offer our sincerest condolences, and our prayers are with the entire family,” Walker-Myers said.
With one arm draped around her four-year-old son Michael and her seven-year-old daughter Nora by her side, Hinton’s wife Genoveva stood quietly and occasionally fought back tears as Quinnipiac Meadows Alder and retired former city police Capt. Gerald Antunes presented her with a framed citation from the local legislature.
Alder Antunes (center): "A police officer has a difficult life."
“A police officer has a difficult life,” Antunes said. “They leave the house with two main focuses every day. One is to go and do their job and help other people in the community, and the other is to make it home at night safe.”
He praised Hinton, who joined the New Haven Police Department in 2014, for his service to the city. “Officer Hinton every day goes to work and answers a lot of calls for service,” Antunes said. “Until Oct. 16, when he answered the call to the Lord.”
Handing over the framed citation to Hinton’s wife, he continued, “This will be something that they will be able to have in their home and look at everyday and remember Mike and everything he’s done to be a great police officer” and father and husband.
Hinton's father Kelldon with Lt. Fumiatti.
“Thank you,” Hinton’s father Kelldon said again and again through tears as he made his way out of the Aldermanic Chamber, hugging his son’s former colleagues at each step.
Out in the second floor atrium of City Hall, Genoveva took a deep breath and thanked everyone who had come out to Monday’s ceremony, as well. “Thank you guys for coming out,” she said. “It’s important for [her two kids] to see you guys here supporting them.”
“We’re here for you,” Police Chief Karl Jacobson said as he walked up for one more hug.
After the brief ceremony, Jacobson remembered Hinton as dedicated to his job, the city police department, and the community he served. Even after his cancer diagnosis, even after the doctor said he should go into hospice, Jacobson said, Hinton kept coming to work for so-called “light duty.”
He didn’t have to do that, Jacobson said. He would have gotten paid either way. But “he chose to come.” He wanted to keep working even as he fought his dire diagnosis. “You can’t kill this kid’s spirit,” Jacobson recalled thinking.
The police chief said he’s gotten a number of requests from community members interested in donating to help out Hinton’s family. He urged anyone interested to give to this online GoFundMe fundraiser which, as of Monday night, had raised over $31,300.
Michael Hinton.
Also on Monday, the Iovanne Funeral Home published the following obituary for Hinton:
Michael L. Hinton, an officer of the New Haven Police Department, died Sunday, October 16, 2022, with his devoted wife, Genoveva Hinton, by his side.
Mike was born in New Haven on June 29, 1976, a son of Kelldon and Pauline Hinton. He joined the New Haven Police Department in 2014 and worked with pride for the last 8 years until his illness. Mike was dedicated to helping others and would drop whatever he was doing to a lend a hand. His positive attitude and big smile brought out the best in everyone around him. He connected with his community, and they, in return, connected with him. Mike was a mechanic and loved working on cars as well as playing and working with computers. He was a proud member of the Elm City Local.
Besides his wife and parents, Mike leaves behind his children, Nora and Michael Hinton; his brothers, Gregory and Kelldon; as well as his brothers and sisters of the New Haven Police Dept.; to cherish his memory.
Visiting hours will be Thursday from 10:00am to 1:00pm in the Iovanne Funeral Home, Inc., 11 Wooster Place, New Haven. Graveside services and burial with departmental honors will take pace in Orange Center Cemetery, Orange Center Road, Orange, at 1:30pm. Contributions in Officer Hinton’s name may be made to The Hinton Family, through the funeral home. A fund will be established for his children. Share a memory and sign Mike’s guestbook online at www.iovanne.com
