(Bridgeport, CT – March 12, 2014) – The city broke ground this week on a memorial to honor  the 12 Bridgeport police officers who died in the line of duty.

“This is an inherently dangerous job,” said Police Chief Joseph L. Gaudett Jr., “and it is so important to honor and remember the people who gave their lives protecting our citizens. But it is more than that. This memorial is for their families. This will be for our past, current and future officers. Officers work so hard every day.  My hope is, as officers drive past this memorial, it will remind them to stay safe as well.”

He applauded the effort of Bridgeport Police Union Local 1159, whose members began working on this project nearly three years ago.

Sgt. Charles Paris, the president of Local 1159, said the memorial for officers will “make you think about the men and women who came before you” and the sacrifices they made for this city.

The last officer to die in the line of duty was Patrolman Jerry DiJoseph on Nov. 28, 1980.

“My hope is we will never have to add another name to this somber list,” said Mayor Bill Finch. “I hope that part of the training for every police academy class moving forward will be to visit this memorial and to reflect on the sacrifices of the people who blazed the trail before them.”

The union and the City have been working to raise private funds to help construct the memorial, which will be located outside Police Headquarters at 300 Congress St.

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