Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Lord Jesus, as we watch America’s Peace Officers succumb to the wicked and evil in this world, Shot and Killed in the Line-of-Duty, it becomes difficult for us to pick up and move forward. Our communities are on the brink of exploding with tension. In light of the peace officers who are no longer with us, I pray for endurance for our communities and law enforcement agencies. Carry us through this time of strife, that through our struggles, our bonds may grow even more unbreakable. In Your mighty and holy name, I pray. Amen.

Holy Scriptures on Law Enforcement’s Mission:

“For the policeman [peace officer] does not frighten people who are doing right; but those doing evil will always fear him. So if you don’t want to be afraid, keep the laws and you will get along well. The policeman [peace officer] is sent by God to help you. But if you are doing something wrong, of course you should be afraid, for he [the peace officer] will have you punished. He [the peace officer] is sent by God for that very purpose. Obey the laws, then, for two reasons: first, to keep from being punished, and second, just because you know you should.” [Romans 13:3-5 TLB]

[Jesus Said,] “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” [John 15:13 ESV]

And he [Jesus] said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” [Luke 23:43 ESV]

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons [children] of God.” [Matthew 5:9 ESV]

“And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” [Isaiah 6:8 ESV]

Chaplain Steven R. Closs, DDiv, MSBS, NCCA, FCPO-USA
Ordained Christian Global Outreach Minister No. 36526
The Badge 183 Peacemakers Prayer Ministry

January 10, 2024

May you find peace in paradise.

Salute

Friend ❤️

May 18, 2023

You are NOT forgotten, Sir! RIP.

Timothy G Cameron
MADD MN & Minnesotans for Safe Driving

May 6, 2023

Rest in heavenly peace on this your 10 anniversary anniversary in heaven

Mark Mottola

May 1, 2020

Sgt. Bergeron,
On today, the 10th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Maplewood. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

May 1, 2020

Never forgotten.

Joe Fehr
Civilian

May 1, 2020

Joe was not only the epitome of a GREAT police officer, he was an EXCEPTIONAL person. Joe was one of the few people that you meet in the world that would never say a bad thing about anyone. Joe had a little smirk and chuckle that was his response to many a situations. I can still see his smile and the gentleness in his presence ....even though he was very strong. The saying "only the good die young" couldn't be more true when it comes to Joe

Andrew Halweg
Friend

April 12, 2020

Rest in peace Sergeant Bergeron.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 9, 2020

John 5:28, 29 - "Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out". I pray that everyone can find peace in knowing that we will see this officer as well as many others again in Paradise soon. Until then, please accept my condolences.

A.W. Montgomery
Concerned Citizen

October 4, 2018

You are remembered and missed

Joe Fehr

May 1, 2018

Joe Bergeron was my fathers segt. and he will forever live with my family in memory, and though I never met my dad always speaks very highly of him, so he will always live with with me in memory as well.

Civilian Abigail Theisen
Civilian

January 8, 2017

Corrections staff will always stand tall and proud, for and with our Law Enforcement brothers and sisters. Your brothers and sisters at Stillwater prison will never forget your sacrifice. We will always have the watch from here.
God bless and be with you and your family.
Rest in peace brother.

Sgt. Paul Schanno- Honor Guard Member
Minnesota Dept. of Corrections MCF-Stillwater

November 7, 2016

Joe, I pass by your memorial everyday and think of you. You are not forgotten - ever. With everything that is going on in the world today your sacrifice matters even more. Rest in peace.

Officer
Maplewood Police Department

July 11, 2016

Rest in Piece sir. I remember the day you were so selfishly taken from us when I was at my last explorer conference. Thoughts and prayers to your wife and girls, family and Maplewood PD on the 5th anniversary of your death.

Anoymous

May 1, 2015

Hiya Joe. Feels a bit different from the outside looking in, this year. Thinking about you, brother.

Ret officer J Lu
Maplewood PD

May 1, 2015

IN HONORE CASORUM
The promise: Always honored, never forgotten.

Sgt. T. J. Jones
Greater Cleveland Transit Police Department, Ohio

May 1, 2015

A Hero in Heaven, always remembered and never forgotten.

Kim Weigand Mom of Sgt. Mike Weigand
PA C.O.P.S.

May 1, 2015

Never forgotten brave Hero. Thank you for your service and bless your family.

Surviving sister of Killeen (Texas) Police Detective & Swat Team Member Charles “Chuck” David Dinwiddie #cd63. EOW 5/11/14.

March 9, 2015

Thank you for your service Sergeant Bergeron. You are not forgotten.

Officer J.Young
Minneapolis Police Department

July 31, 2014

Joe, you are remembered. 4 years ago you were taken away from us.

Joe Fehr
Citizen

May 1, 2014

Happy Birthday Joseph. We are all missing you today!!

Donald & Jackie Bergeron
Brother & Sister-in-Law of
Sgt Joseph Bergeron
Maplewood, MN PD EOW 5-01-10

November 25, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored today, the week of the third anniversary year of your death. I am priviliged to leave a tribute to you. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace

I pray for solace for all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.

Phyllis Lasater Loya
mom of fallen Pittsburg (CA) officer Larry Lasater

May 5, 2013

As I reflect upon the tragic murder of Sgt Bergeron, three years later, I still can’t help but pay particular note to the date on which we lost him: May 1. May Day.

Though the first of May is an international holiday celebrating the worker, May Day is ALSO an emergency call, used throughout the world to denote distress. It is derived from the French “venez m’aider”, meaning “come help me.”

Adopted in 1923 as an audio replacement for the Morse Code SOS, pilots and sailors could call it out over the radio to signal for assistance during a life-threatening emergency.

Today, it is also used by transportation organizations, firefighters, and police. Once heard, our brave first responders heed the call, and run TOWARDS the trouble to lend assistance.

People like Joe.

While I pause today to remember and honor his sacrifice, I can’t help but include a prayer of thanksgiving for all of those that run towards the trouble.

So for me, May Day is no longer a day for celebrating with baskets and May poles. It is a day I set aside to remember, recognize, acknowledge, and pray for those brave men and women who dedicate their lives to the protection and service of us all.

Ron Schmit
Grateful Citizen

May 1, 2013

Sergeant Joseph Anthony Bergeron –
You were killed today. Three years ago, but the memories are just as real as ever. We miss you a lot, I miss you a lot. I regret that I never got to say goodbye. I regret that I didn’t get to spend enough time with you before you left us to go home. The family is doing okay, as I’m sure you know. Not the “okay” as in everybody is happy and we’re moving on – because we all know no matter how hard we try, we won’t. It is the “okay”, we are doing the best we can with losing you. I can see through the forced smiles and pseudo reassurance, that there is still hurt, behind those eyes is the pain of today. Some days are better than others. Today is always a hard day, the days leading up to today are always really tough too. We remember where we were when we heard those few words “He is dead”. It was never easy to swallow, and still feels like an unhealed scar. It doesn’t help that each year since there has been rain. The forecast is always rain. Perhaps it’s because all of us; your family, your friends, your community – still have a form of sadness, and that we still don’t want to let go of you, we’re just being selfish. We wish we could have more time with you. You’ve been lost from us, but in Him you have been found.
Truth is, Joe, you are still looking out for us. I know every officer says “Rest now, we’ll keep the watch from here” – but that was never your style anyway. I’m sure as you rest in Heaven, you are still keeping the watch. You’ve got a better view than any of us on this earth right now. Some days I even feel you here with us. I know the day the Lord received you that He welcomed you as one of His most cherished children. You worked so hard to save lives, and you have been rewarded greatly. We cannot wait; I cannot wait, until the day I am greeted into the holy gates of the Lord with a big bear hug from you.
While you are gone, you are never forgotten. You still are changing lives today. You sure changed mine. I feel God’s calling on my life ever since that fateful day. I now know that I have a special guardian angel with me when times get rough. We all gained one heck of a guardian; you were always the best at that. We all love and miss you greatly, and will continue to live our lives in honor of you. It wasn’t the way you died that made you a respected hero, but the way you lived. You always were such a strong, caring, man. I am so blessed to say that I have known you.
Miss you. Can’t wait to see your smiling face again.
(P.S) Please tell grandpa and grandma hi from me.
Love you. Always.

Anonymous

May 1, 2013

Sergeant Bergeron, Three years have passed since your life on earth was senselessly taken away by a coward. The night previous to your death, I and other officers were looking for your assailant, who was wanted on a warrant. It wasn't until later that we found out that he and the other accomplice were watching us from a short distance, armed and hidden in a wooden area. I have contemplated many times how things might have turned out had we been able to locate the murderer beforehand.

I've had the honor of being your nephew's close friend for many years, and I will always remember the pain and sorrow felt by him and the rest of the Duzan and Bergeron family. On this, the third anniversary of your sacrifice in the line of duty, I will have Mass offered in your remembrance at the Cathedral of Saint Paul. I will not forget you, nor fail to pray your family.

Sergeant Charles Anderson
Saint Paul Police Department

May 1, 2013