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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
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 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
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Bridgeport Police Department has lost 6 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Gerald is one of 74 officers killed feloniously in CT, 43.8% of the 169 remembered there.
Gerald is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Gerald is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1980, 1 officer in CT was killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 62 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 4.
In 1980, 127 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1980, 141 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Gerald was 33. Of the 70 killed feloniously in CT whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 46.5; the middle age was 39. Gerald had served 11.6 years; the middle length of service was 10.5 years.
Gerald was 33. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Gerald had served 11.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gerald was 33. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Gerald had served 11.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 10.8% of these deaths in CT; May holds the most, 13.5%. Fridays: 14.9%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 6 deaths at Bridgeport Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 43.8% of all 169 deaths in CT, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 6.8% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Bridgeport Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, Gerald among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 3-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Bridgeport Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
