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Incident
Sergeant Joseph Bergeron was shot and killed at approximately 7:00 am while attempting to question two men in connection with an earlier carjacking incident.
He located the men near the intersection of English Street and Arlington Avenue, in St. Paul, approximately 10 minutes after responding to reports of the carjacking. As he exited his patrol car, one of the men approached him and immediately opened fire, fatally wounding him.
A passerby who heard the shots and witnessed the shooter running from the scene immediately went to Sergeant Bergeron's aid and used his radio to call for assistance. Sergeant Bergeron died at the scene.
Approximately four hours after this shooting, an officer assigned to the crime scene's perimeter noticed one of the suspects walking out of the nearby woods near Ivy and Prosperity Avenues. The officer confronted the suspect, who then struck him in the face with a toolbox, breaking his nose and fracturing his eye sockets. The officer was able to fatally shoot the suspect during the ensuing struggle over control of the officer's weapon.
The second suspect surrendered to officers two hours later without further incident. He was subsequently sentenced to 35 years in prison.
Sergeant Bergeron had served with the Maplewood Police Department for 26 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and twin daughters.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
26 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Bergeron gave the Maplewood Police Department 26 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Maplewood community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Bergeron.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Joseph is the only officer of Maplewood Police Department remembered here.
Joseph is one of 173 officers killed feloniously in MN, 59% of the 293 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2010, 2 officers in MN were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 93 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 11.
In 2010, 80 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 84th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2010, 85 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 80th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joseph was 49. Of the 166 killed feloniously in MN whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. Joseph had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Joseph was 49. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 49. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 8.7% of these deaths in MN; August holds the most, 16.8%. Saturdays: 18.5%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Maplewood Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 293 deaths in MN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 7-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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