Former acting New Bedford fire chief killed after firing at police

FAIRHAVEN, Mass. (WLNE) — The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office said former acting New Bedford Fire Chief Paul Coderre was shot and killed by police on Friday evening.

District Attorney Thomas Quinn said that police returned fire after Coderre shot at officers, hitting one from Acushnet in the leg.

In a statement the Fairhaven Police Department said officers were called to Sconticut Neck Road for report of an intoxicated male.

“Shots were later exchanged between the male and officers,” the statement read. “The male was killed. A responding officer was wounded, and taken to an area hospital for treatment of their injuries.”

The officer has since been released from the hospital.

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell had said in a social media post that the officer who was injured will make a “full recovery.”

Coderre was fired by Mitchell in 2022 for issues surrounding work related injuries.