“Former New Bedford Interim Fire Chief Paul Coderre Killed in Shooting with South Coast Police Officers”

Accident – death – Obituary News : Former Interim Fire Chief of New Bedford, Massachusetts, Fatally Shot by South Coast Police Officers

FAIRHAVEN, Mass. – In a tragic incident on Friday, the former New Bedford, Massachusetts, interim fire chief, Paul Coderre, was killed in a shooting involving South Coast police officers, according to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office. The incident took place at a business located at 125 Sconticut Neck Road around 5 p.m. on Friday when Fairhaven police responded to a report of an intoxicated male.

Upon receiving the call, police officers from nearby communities also rushed to the scene to assist. As the situation escalated, shots were exchanged between Coderre and the responding officers. Regrettably, Coderre, aged 55 and a resident of Dartmouth, lost his life during the gunfire. Additionally, an Acushnet police officer sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the leg and was promptly taken to a local hospital for treatment. Fortunately, the injured officer has since been released from the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery, as confirmed by the District Attorney’s Office.

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn shed light on the events leading up to the shooting. According to Quinn, Coderre had been drinking at the Bayside Lounge earlier in the afternoon. “He was drinking with friends,” Quinn stated, without divulging further specifics due to Coderre’s condition. However, it is known that an altercation occurred both inside and outside the establishment, prompting attempts to prevent Coderre from driving away before the arrival of the police.

Authorities made several non-lethal efforts to subdue Coderre, including the use of a taser. Unfortunately, these attempts proved unsuccessful. At some point during the altercation, Coderre fired his gun, prompting the police officers to return fire. This exchange of gunfire resulted in Coderre’s untimely demise.

Expressing his condolences, New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell referred to the incident as “tragic in every sense.” He expressed relief that the injured officer is expected to recover fully and expressed gratitude that no other individuals sustained serious injuries.

Notably, Coderre had previously served as the acting New Bedford fire chief. However, he was terminated in early 2022 by the city of New Bedford on grounds of “dishonesty and untruthfulness in connection with alleged work-related injuries.” Nevertheless, the Massachusetts Civil Service Commission ruled on November 30 that the city failed to establish “just cause” for Coderre’s dismissal. The commission determined that the city could not prove that Coderre had misrepresented his physical abilities to avoid returning to duty or had abused the fire department’s injury leave policy.

This tragic shooting incident in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, has left the community in shock and mourning. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident is ongoing, and authorities are working diligently to provide a comprehensive understanding of the events that unfolded on that fateful Friday..