On the morning of May 1, 2010, Sergeant Joseph Anthony Bergeron, aged 49, was tragically killed in the line of duty in Maplewood, Minnesota. Sgt. Bergeron, who had been with the Maplewood Police Department for 26 years, was responding to a carjacking call. While sitting in his squad car near the intersection of English Street and Arlington Avenue in St. Paul, he was ambushed by two young men. One of the suspects approached Sgt. Bergeron and immediately opened fire, fatally wounding him.
A passerby who heard the shots and saw the shooter fleeing the scene used Sgt. Bergeron's radio to call for assistance.
The first suspect, who was later identified, was killed later that morning after attacking a police officer on perimeter duty. This suspect had emerged from the nearby woods near Ivy and Prosperity Avenues and struck the officer in the face with a toolbox, breaking his nose and fracturing his eye sockets. During the ensuing struggle over the officer's weapon, the officer managed to fatally shoot the suspect. The second suspect, who was also involved in the ambush, surrendered to officers two hours later without further incident. This suspect was subsequently arrested and later sentenced to 35 years in prison.
Sgt. Bergeron was a dedicated officer who had served his community with distinction. He was a resident of Hugo, Minnesota, and had grown up in White Bear Lake. He was one of eleven children and had joined the Maplewood Police Department in 1984 after a brief stint with the Ramsey County Parks and Patrols. Throughout his career, he served in various capacities, including as a patrol officer, training officer, investigator, and sergeant. He was also a volunteer fireman and medic. Sgt. Bergeron is survived by his wife and twin daughters.
