The city has begun construction for a memorial to honor the 12 Bridgeport police officers who died in the line of duty. The memorial will be located in front of Police Headquarters, 300 Congress Street across from City Hall.
“This is an inherently dangerous job,” says Police Chief Joe Gaudett “and it is so important to honor and remember the people who gave their lives protecting our citizens. But it is more than that. This memorial is for their families. This will be for our past, current and future officers. Officers work so hard every day. My hope is, as officers drive past this memorial, it will remind them to stay safe as well.”
Gaudett praised Bridgeport Police Union Local 1159, whose members initiated this project nearly three years ago. Sergeant Charles Paris, president of Local 1159, says the memorial for officers will “make you think about the men and women who came before you” and the sacrifices made on behalf of public safety.
Patrolman Gerald DiJoseph was the last police officer to die in the line of duty on Nov. 28, 1980. He was shot to death checking on a motor vehicle parked in a garage in the city’s Hollow neighborhood.
“My hope is we will never have to add another name to this somber list,” says Mayor Bill Finch. “I hope that part of the training for every police academy class moving forward will be to visit this memorial and to reflect on the sacrifices of the people who blazed the trail before them.”
The union and the city have been working to raise private funds to help construct the memorial.
What about the Bass Pro construction?
I checked their website. It seems they have listed Bridgeport as a “future” store site. Huge mistake on their part economically. This area is not ideal for their type of business judging by what they sell and the difficulty of most retailers to survive in Connecticut’s anti-business environment.
This page is not about Bass Pro or any other pipe dream floating around the city. It’s about a hero and a monument.
This is long overdue. I worked with Gerry DiJoseph in the post office, we left there together and went to different jobs. I went to the Fire Department and Gerry went to the Police Department. I have never forgotten Gerry and the way he died. I remember the building and the circumstances. Gerry was and is a hero. I am thrilled the Police Department will have a place to honor their fallen. God Bless You, Gerry.
Andy, I knew Gerry’s dad Joe, and he never recovered from this atrocity. Police and Fire and EMS and the military get short shrift from our governments. How long did it take to get this project underway? Too long.
Gerry’s dad worked at the main post office and he wanted Gerry to stay in the PO but Gerry had his heart set on the PD.
*** HEROES SHOULD NEVER BE FORGOTTEN! ***
My hat comes off to our brave heroes of the Police Department, and we should never forget to honor our Fire Department heroes as well. God Bless them all!
Folks, this morning it was still dark at 6:30AM as I went for coffee. Happened to hear and then see a refuse monster truck come roaring along with one man perched on a step holding firmly to a stanchion as the vehicle rocked in the sub-freezing cold temperature. Reflected to a neighbor it was one job that takes courage, strength and hardiness for the dangers and challenges. He agreed.
Then I talked to a teacher who struggles daily with students without an individualized education plan, who miss more school days then they attend, and in the eighth grade cannot reliably tell their birthdate. Not every child, nor every day, and tests are coming with computer equipment on which they have not become acquainted … frustrating but she keeps her smile on her face … and I think courage, strength, willingness to deal with the challenges.
And there are plenty more in the public sector (aside from public safety) to whom no statue will be raised, but whom we need to be mindful of. Time will tell.
John, it is true there are many heroes in our everyday life and that’s great. John, you can’t compare them to someone who died in the line of duty.
We as a society have lowered our standards to mention people who are actually doing their jobs every day. The reason they stand out is there are so many who are just going through the motions and getting a paycheck.