The estate of a former interim New Bedford fire chief killed after he shot at police has filed a lawsuit against the city.
Former Acting Fire Chief Paul Coderre Jr. was fired after the city claimed he was lying about the extent of work-related injuries.
The estate accuses city officials of defamation, emotional distress and wrongful termination, WPRI reported.
The Massachusetts Civil Service Commission overturned Coderre’s termination, but the city appealed that ruling in December 2023.
The police officer who shot Coderre was cleared of wrongdoing following an investigation.
Not long after that justification was announced, was shot and killed after shooting a police officer in the leg outside the Bayside Lounge in Fairhaven.
The lawsuit claims that Coderre was wrongfully terminated by the city and denied disability and pension payments. The suit also says that with the pending appeal, Coderre’s widow is unable to receive any payments, either.
“The multiple injustices committed against Paul Coderre Jr. during his lifetime have caused severe ongoing financial harm to his widow Jane and to Paul‘s memory in the community,” Phil Beauregard, one of Coderre’s attorneys, wrote in a statement.
“The purpose of this lawsuit and other litigation to be filed in the coming months is to set the record straight and restore to Jane Coderre the financial benefits, which have been taken from her by the city mayor,” Beauregard added.
