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Sergeant Joseph Anthony Bergeron | Maplewood Police Department, Minnesota Maplewood Police Department, Minnesota

Sergeant

Joseph Anthony Bergeron

Maplewood Police Department, Minnesota

End of Watch: Saturday, May 1, 2010

Bio & Incident Details

Age: 49

Tour: 26 years

Badge # 357

Cause: Gunfire

Incident Date: 5/1/2010

Weapon: Gun; Unknown type

Suspect: Shot and killed

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Sergeant Joseph Bergeron was shot and killed at approximately 7:00 am while attempting to question two men in connection with an earlier carjacking incident.

He located the men near the intersection of English Street and Arlington Avenue, in St. Paul, approximately 10 minutes after responding to reports of the carjacking. As he exited his patrol car, one of the men approached him and immediately opened fire, fatally wounding him.

A passerby who heard the shots and witnessed the shooter running from the scene immediately went to Sergeant Bergeron's aid and used his radio to call for assistance. Sergeant Bergeron died at the scene.

Approximately four hours after this shooting, an officer assigned to the crime scene's perimeter noticed one of the suspects walking out of the nearby woods near Ivy and Prosperity Avenues. The officer confronted the suspect, who then struck him in the face with a toolbox, breaking his nose and fracturing his eye sockets. The officer was able to fatally shoot the suspect during the ensuing struggle over control of the officer's weapon.

The second suspect surrendered to officers two hours later without further incident.

Sergeant Bergeron had served with the Maplewood Police Department for 26 years. He is survived by his wife and twin daughters.

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Most Recent Reflection

Joe
A day does not pass without me thinking about you or talking about you. Over all the years that we were friends, all the hunting trips and times working on projects together so many memories come flooding foreward.

Yes you were a great sergeant to work for and with. You approarch to Law Enforcment was a combination of Andy Griffith, your favortie T.V. cop, and Barny Miller. We were never lacking for fun, working or not, you were able to bring a smile to all of us.

Many say you were a hero because of your service to the community, the police, fire and medic work. I find that you were a hero because of your family and friends. When no one else would show up to help move, you were there sick and working in the rain. When the world was not right you some how would knew when to call. Most of all you were a hero because of the queen and the girls. You were always there for them. They were first and foremost in your heart. You passed along your sense of hummor to them. Your love for your Wife, queen, and the girls is unmatched in this day and age many should take note of this and follow your example.

I have asked God several times why you taken from us at this time. I keep coming back to the thought that God gave us free choice in which path we follow in life. Many have choosen the path of evil, as with the man who took your life. However the Lord can use this in ways we do not yet understand to help others and work best for those who know and follow him. This will not take away the pain and questions that the queen and the girls have. I know that you already have the answers and will one day meet us and we will understand. Until that day, Joe find us the best deer stand, fishing spot, hunting expo and shooting range. I listen for a hint of you on every hunting and fishing outing I go on. Your stories are told at the hunting camp and you still bring a smile to our faces even after you have gone home to be with the Lord.

Officer Mel MacFarlane (Ret)
Friend / Co-worker
August 4, 2011

 

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