HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 04-01 Bills to name 36 for Bergeron in works MAPLEWOOD REVIEW2/9/2016 Bills to name 36 for Bergeron in works I Lillie Suburban Newspapers - LillieNews.com
Bills to name 36 for Bergeron in works
Submitted by adminl on Wed, 04/01/2015 - 12:OOam
By: Erin Hinrichs
State Sen, Chuck fter, DFL.-Mapiewood,
presents a bill that would name the stretch of
state l...l//1h a y 36 that runs through Maplewood
in Bonar of Sgt, Joe Bergeron, ron, ho died in the
line of duty May 1, 20 /°l. Next to him sits the
widow of the slain officer, r, Ga il, and Maplewood
plew od
Police Chief /:::�a.= u/ Schnell, (I:::r/n /..l/airichs//Na anew)
As the funeral ra l rocession for Sgt, Jo
Bergeron woa. nd through ///girth St, Paul and
A welcomed, emotional tribute nearly
five years after Bergeron's death
On May 1, 2010, Maplewood Police Sgt. Joseph Bergeron responded to
reports of a carjacking and was fatally shot by an armed suspect.
Community members and his fellow officers banded together, in support of
his wife Gail and two teenage daughters who were profoundly impacted by
the loss.
Nearly five years later, as his girls prepare to graduate from high school, the
introduction of a new memorial for their father comes at an emotional time
for the family.
Sen. Chuck Wiger, DFL -Maplewood, presented legislation on Wednesday,
March 25, at the state Capitol that would name the stretch of Minnesota
Highway 36 that runs through Maplewood the "Sergeant Joseph Bergeron
Memorial Highway."
"It's an honor to carry this bill for the city of Maplewood. Sergeant Bergeron
bravely and dutifully served his community for 26 years. The naming of
Highway 36 in his honor is a small gesture of gratitude to his family for
Bergeron's sacrifice," Wiger, the bill's chief author, said during the hearing
before the Senate Transportation and Public Safety Committee.
Gail said she and her girls prefer to grieve in private, but added that the
highway memorial is a welcomed tribute.
"Joe was a real humble guy. He didn't need to be recognized, and that's kind
of how we are as a family," she said.
"Even though for us, as a family, it's kind of like ripping that wound open
again, if it helps people remember, then the girls and I will do what we can to
keep it in the forefront of people's minds."
Seated next to Gail during the hearing, Maplewood Police Chief Paul Schnell
spoke on the impact Bergeron's death had on the community and the police
force.
"We'll never forget the sacrifice of Bergeron and his family," he said, noting
the highway memorial would serve "as an active reminder" to all who drive
along it.
A life of service
Maplewood, od, /h/s young boy held up a The 49 -year-old officer was ambushed and killed at approximately 7 a.m.,
handmade memorial, (file photo) near the intersection of English Street and Arlington Avenue in St. Paul.
Upon exiting his patrol car to question two 21 -year-old men about a recent
carjacking, one of the suspects approached him and opened fire.
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This memorial is located on St. Paul's East Side
near the spot where Bergeron was fatally shot
along a recreational trail near Lake Phalen in
2010. (file photo)
Sgt. Joe Bergeron
Supporters orta rs of the hill rr emoriali�ing a segment of l 147hwa.1y 36 in
honor of slain Maplewood wood Sgt. ,.lose r Bergeron, ron, surroa. nd
Bergeron's ron's widow, Gail, after the hearing on Wednesday, Rep,
I....eon I....illie, DFL. -North Lit, Pa.~ul, Sen, Susan Kent, DL:L....
4o'P,/oodburl!" I en, Chuck W47er, DFL.. -Ma pi wood; Rep, JoAnn
Ward, D1.:: -1.. -Woodbury and Maple wood I lofice Chief Paul
Schnell anticipate ata the hill will have strong bipartisan support on
the state Senate floor. (I::::rin Ilinrichs/ evia w)
Ajogger heard the gunshots and rushed to the scene, and reported
what he'd witnessed. In the ensuing manhunt, suspect Jason Jones
attacked East Side St. Paul police officer David Longbehn.
Jones was shot and killed by Longbehn.
The other suspect, Joshua Michael Martin, was arrested and pleaded
guilty to aiding and abetting intentional second-degree murder
charges. He was sentenced to more than 34 years in prison and is
incarcerated at the Stillwater Correctional Facility.
Bergeron had served with the Maplewood Police Department for 26
years. He was a gentle, quiet, strong man with a good sense of humor
who loved his family and his job, said Cheryl Dinderman, Gail's aunt,
at the time of Bergeron's funeral.
"When people needed help, they called my uncle Joe," Chaska police
officer Mike Duzan had said during the eulogy at the funeral. "He was
larger than life, and I wanted to be just like him."
Marking the one-year anniversary of Bergeron's death, a bronze
statue memorial and plaque were unveiled outside City Hall. A couple
months later, his name was added to the National Law Enforcement
Memorial wall in Washington, D.C.
'A debt of gratitude'
Sen. Susan Kent, DFL -Woodbury, co-author of the bill, spoke at the
hearing on Wednesday as well.
"We come together with the greater Maplewood community today to
honor Sgt. Joseph Bergeron and his family, who have had to deal with
so much in his absence. Today is about remembering Bergeron for the
life he led and for his sacrifice," she said.
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A number of area legislators backing the bill were quoted in a press release.
"It is an honor to carry this legislation," said Rep. Leon Lillie, DFL -North St. Paul, the bill's chief author in the House.
"Every day, our law enforcement and first response officers put their lives on the line to protect us. Sergeant Bergeron
made the ultimate sacrifice carrying out his duties as a police officer— protecting those he served. We owe him a debt of
gratitude. He was a father and a husband, and he will not be forgotten."
"It is important at times like this that we come together as a community with respect and support for Sergeant Bergeron
and
his family," said Rep. JoAnn Ward, DFL -Woodbury. "His family experienced a great loss and this is the least we can do to
honor his legacy."
"There is no single act we can do that will do justice to the sacrifice he made for us," added Rep. Peter Fischer, DFL -
Maplewood. "This is one small thing we can do to remember him and those who give their lives to protect us."
The committee passed the bill unanimously and referred it to the Senate floor, where it is expected to receive strong
bipartisan support.
Wiger said he anticipates the Senate version of the bill will be heard in the Minnesota Senate by April 10, since the
Legislature is taking an Easter -Passover recess this week.
In an act of solidarity, on the behalf of Bergeron's family and the Maplewood community, Schnell encouraged committee
members to consider a similar bill on the day's agenda, honoring slain Mendota Heights police officer Scott Patrick, who
was gunned down during a routine traffic stop in West St. Paul this past July.
Erin Hinrichs can be reached at 651-748-7814 and ehinrichs@lillienews.com. Follow her at twitter.com/EHinrichsNews.
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