More Details Released on Former New Bedford Fire Chief Shooting

FAIRHAVEN (WBSM) — More details have been released regarding the incident at a Fairhaven bar in which former New Bedford Acting Fire Chief Paul Coderre was killed after firing a gun and striking an Acushnet Police officer.

According to Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III, Coderre, 55, of Dartmouth was drinking with friends at the Bayside Lounge on Sconticut Neck Road.

Quinn said Coderre had been drinking for several hours at the Bayside before getting into an altercation inside the establishment.

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Coderre then attempted to get in his vehicle to leave, and another person tried to stop him from driving. Coderre then got into a physical altercation with that person and police were called to the scene.

Officers from the Fairhaven Police Department arrived to find Coderre armed with a firearm. Mutual aid was then called in from Acushnet Police and Mattapoisett Police.

Quinn said officers from all three departments attempted to de-escalate the situation with multiple non-lethal attempts, including deploying a Taser.

However, Coderre fired his handgun and shot an Acushnet Police officer in the leg. Police then returned fire and killed Coderre.

The officer who was shot was treated at St. Luke’s Hospital and later released, Quinn said.

Quinn said the investigation into the incident is ongoing.