Paul Protzenko of Enfield, a retired Connecticut state trooper, was killed in Afghanistan while working for a private defense firm over the weekend, according to a report on NBC Connecticut.
Protzenko, 47, lived at 14 Eleanor Road in the North Thompsonville section of town. He was an Army veteran who retired from the state police two years ago after more than 20 years of service. He last served at the Bradley International Airport barracks in Windsor Locks.
Protzenko was in Afghanistan training local police in crime scene investigation. He was employed by Military Professional Resources, Inc., which contracts with the U.S. military to provide security and training.
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The NBC report said MPRI is working with Protzenko's family to return his body to Connecticut. An official statement and further details will be released by MPRI on Monday, according to company spokesperson Rick Kirnan.
The Department of Defense is conducting an investigation into Protzenko's death.
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