DA report: Police committed no crime in shooting of former New Bedford fire chief

FAIRHAVEN, Mass. (WLNE) — The Bristol County District Attorney’s office released a report Thursday regarding a police-involved shooting that took place in Fairhaven on Dec. 29, 2023, stating that officers acted appropriately in the incident.

The shooting killed former New Bedford acting fire chief Paul Coderre, Jr.

Officers were called to the Bayside Lounge at about 4:50 p.m. for reports of an intoxicated man in the parking lot and several bystanders trying to dissuade him from driving.

The subject, later identified as Coderre, took an aggressive stance, according to officials, and reached for his hip when approached by an officer.

Believing Coderre had a weapon, the officer drew his firearm and retreated to his cruiser.

Authorities said Coderre refused to surrender his weapon and mutual aid was requested from nearby police departments, forming a perimeter around him.

Police and friends of Coderre attempted to deescalate the standoff, but Coderre refused to surrender his weapon and stated that he would shoot himself or force police to shoot him.

Officers deployed a taser on Coderre when he turned his back, but the action was ineffective, as was a second taser attempt which was pulled off of his sweatshirt.

A second officer fired a BolaWrap at Coderre, which failed to wrap around him.

At this time, a third officer fired a bean bag round at Coderre, which struck but failed to incapacitate him.

Second and third beanbag rounds misfired in the shotgun.

According to the district attorney’s office, Coderre then pulled a firearm from a holster on his right hip and began firing at several officers.

An Acushnet officer was shot in the leg, and four officers discharged their firearms at Coderre, hitting him five times.

Officials said Coderre was brought to St. Luke’s Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 6:10 p.m.

The injured officer was also taken to St. Luke’s with a minor gunshot wound.

Paul Coderre, Jr. during his time with the New Bedford Fire Department. (WLNE)

Witness statements in the report state that Coderre was “not his normal self” leading up to the incident and was upset about a recent decision by the City of New Bedford regarding his termination from the fire department.

Coderre had recently won a ruling with Civil Service Commission that found his termination and denial of pension was unlawful.

Coderre was accused of feigning an injury to avoid work and claim disability, and on Dec. 29, 2023, the city filed an appeal of the decision in the Bristol Superior Court.

Based on the findings of the report, the district attorney’s office stated, in part:

“The use of force by officers from the Acushnet, Fairhaven and Mattapoisett police departments was consistent with the severity of the situation and with each department’s internal policies regarding the use of force.”

“It was also consistent with the law of self-defense and/or the defense of others.”

“The fatal shooting of Paul Coderre, Jr. was justified as the result of Mr. Coderre’s actions on December 29, 2023. Based on a review of all the facts and circumstances related to this incident, there is no basis to conclude that the responding officers committed a crime.”

Authorities said Coderre was licensed to carry a firearm.