In Memoriam – Harry DeBenedet, retired lieutenant from Yale Police, dies at 76
October 3, 2023
Harry DeBenedet, who joined the Yale Police Department (YPD) in 1990, was instrumental in starting the YPD Bomb Squad and retired in 2010 as lieutenant, passed away on Sept. 25.
DeBenedet served in the U.S. Army in the Vietnam era. He was a graduate of North Haven High School, attended New Haven College (now University of New Haven), and received a B.S. in Criminal Justice Management from LaSalle University. DeBenedet was appointed to the New Haven Police Department (NHPD) in 1970 and served the City of New Haven until 1990. He worked in all major divisions of the department and was a firearms and police survival instructor. In 1978, DeBenedet joined the NHPD Bomb Squad and SWAT team. Following his retirement from the New Haven Police Department, he joined the Yale Police Department.
His expertise was widely recognized, as he consulted on many cases including the Unabomber case. He served as an officer of the Society of Santa Maria Maddalena and was a member of the Society of St. Andrew the Apostle, Campania Club, Marchegiana Society, and the Guilford Sportsman Association (President).
He is survived by his wife Rheta Lenzi DeBenedet; two sons, Joseph and Michael DeBenedet; and grandchildren, Angelina and Anthony DeBenedet and Kevin and Kyle Cohen (Maria Bronson).