ST. PAUL—Yesterday, the Minnesota House moved legislation to the House floor renaming a portion of Highway 36 within the city limits of Maplewood as “Sergeant Joseph Bergeron Memorial Highway.” Representative Leon Lillie (DFL-Maplewood) is the bill’s chief author.
Maplewood Police Sgt. Joseph Bergeron was killed in the line of duty on May 1, 2010, while responding to a reported carjacking. He was a 26-year police veteran.
“It is an honor to carry this legislation,” Rep. Lillie said. “Every day, our law enforcement and first response officers put their lives on the line to protect us. Sergeant Bergeron made the ultimate sacrifice carrying out his duties as a police officer – protecting those he served. We owe him a debt of gratitude. He was a father and a husband, and he will not be forgotten.”
"It is important at times like this that we come together as a community with respect and support for Sgt. Bergeron and his family," said Representative JoAnn Ward (DFL--Woodbury). "His family experienced a great loss and this is the least we can do to honor his legacy."
“There is no single act we can do that will do justice to the sacrifice he made for us,” said Rep. Peter Fischer (DFL-Maplewood). “This is one small thing we can do to remember him and those who give their lives to protect us.”
The bill will appear next on the House floor where it is expect to receive strong bipartisan support. The Senate version of the bill will be heard in the Minnesota Senate on March 24th, 2015. It is being carried by Senator Chuck Wiger (DFL-Maplewood) Senator Susan Kent (DFL-Woodbury).
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