Photo: Aldrich, Beatrice (uploader)
FAIRHAVEN, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Former acting New Bedford fire chief Paul Coderre was shot and killed after exchanging gunfire with police in Fairhaven, authorities said.
According to Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn, police were called to the Bayside Lounge on Sconticut Neck Road around 5 p.m. for a report of an altercation involving a severely intoxicated man.
Quinn said Coderre had been drinking at the bar for several hours and got into an altercation. He then left the bar and attempted to leave in his car when another person tried to stop him from driving. Coderre then got into a physical confrontation in the parking lot.
When police arrived on scene, Coderre was armed with a gun, said Quinn. Officers from the Fairhaven, Acushnet, and Mattapoisett police departments attempted to speak with Coderre and make non-lethal attempts to subdue him.
Coderre then fired his handgun, prompting police to return fire and kill Coderre, Quinn said.
An Acushnet police officer was wounded in the exchange and taken to a New Bedford hospital. He was treated and later released, officials said.
An investigation into the shooting is underway.
Coderre, 55, was terminated from his role as New Bedford Deputy Fire Chief in January 2022 after an internal investigation accused him of lying about the extent of work-related injuries. The Massachusetts Civil Service Commission overturned the termination earlier this month.
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