FAIRHAVEN — Former New Bedford acting Fire Chief Paul Coderre was killed by police outside a Fairhaven bar Friday night after he shot at police, according to the district attorney’s office.
The Fairhaven Police Department in a press release stated police were called to the Bayside Lounge on Sconticut Neck Road at around 5 p.m. in response to reports of an intoxicated male.
Dispatch audio called all units to the location, reporting that the suspect was in the parking lot: “We have a male with a firearm.”
“Shots were later exchanged between the male and officers. The male was killed,” the statement from Fairhaven police read. “A responding officer was wounded, and taken to an area hospital for treatment of their injuries.”
Other departments assisted in the police response. An Acushnet officer sustained the gunshot injury, Bristol County District Attorney’s office spokesperson Gregg Miliote confirmed. The officer was treated and released Friday night.
Coderre tried to leave the bar after being involved in an altercation inside, according to Miliote, and was then involved in another altercation outside the bar. The investigation remains ongoing as to the nature and cause of the altercations.
Miliote confirmed Coderre had a license to carry a firearm.
Massachusetts State Police detectives and crime scene units were on scene and investigating with the Bristol County DA’s office.
“This evening’s fatal shooting in Fairhaven was tragic in every sense,” said New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell in a statement Friday night. “I am relieved that the officer who was injured will make a full recovery, and that no one else was seriously hurt.”
While serving as acting fire chief for New Bedford, Coderre claimed to have sustained work-related injuries in 2019, according to the mayor’s office. He was placed on injury leave in August 2020 with pay.
Coderre was terminated in early 2022 by the City of New Bedford for what the city said was dishonesty and untruthfulness in connection to his alleged work-related injuries. The city hired an investigator to surveil the fire official and captured video of him doing activities “inconsistent with his alleged injuries,” including unloading a smoker grill from a truck.
A few weeks ago, Coderre won a ruling with the state Civil Service Commission, which determined his termination by the city was “unlawful,” WJAR reported.
A New Bedford Police Department spokesperson said New Bedford police were not involved in the response.
Coderre previously served as New Bedford’s deputy fire chief from 2011 to 2018.
This is a developing story that will be updated when more information is available.
Email Anastasia E. Lennon at alennon@newbedfordlight.org.
Editor’s note: This story was modified on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, to update information on the shooting of the Acushnet police officer. It’s unclear whether he was struck by a bullet from the gun of Paul Coderre.
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How is a man who was deemed by municipal authorities to be dishonest & untruthful yet also was determined suitable to have a license for a dangerous gun?