Gerald T. DiJoseph
Agency patch
Patrolman

Gerald T. DiJoseph

Bridgeport Police Department — Bridgeport, CT
Felonious
End of Watch November 28, 1980
Age 33
Tour of Duty 11 yrs 7 mo
Badge 218
The Vigil Panel 123 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Gerald DiJoseph was shot and killed while making a traffic stop on James Street. The suspect was able to gain control of Patrolman DiJoseph's service weapon and shot him in the head. The suspect fled the scene and remained at large for seven months. He was apprehended by a member of the New York City Police Department following a vehicle pursuit. On February 9, 1987, he was found not guilty. No one else has ever been charged. Patrolman DiJoseph had served with the Bridgeport Police Department for 11.5 years. He is survived by his wife and three children. He was buried in St. Michael's Cemetery in Stratford, Connecticut.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife and three children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-CT-37A7B283
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman DiJoseph gave the Bridgeport Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bridgeport community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman DiJoseph.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Bridgeport, CT
Platform Identity bpd.bridgeport.ct.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 28, 1980
Tour of Duty 11 yrs 7 mo
Age 33
Badge Number 218
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Officer's handgun

Patrolman Gerald T. DiJoseph is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 officers honored here.

In CT, 74 of 169 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 43.8% of this state's fallen. That is 43.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Bridgeport Police Department, 4 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.

Bridgeport Police Department
4
of 6 officers
66.7% Felonious
CT — Statewide
74
of 169 officers
43.8% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,756 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Gerald T. DiJoseph's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Gerald T. DiJoseph Compares

Age at Death
33
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
11.6
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Gerald T. DiJoseph is highlighted in Nov.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Gerald T. DiJoseph was killed by officer's handgun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909