Berlin PD's Only Line-Of-Duty Death Not Forgotten

BERLIN, CT — The Berlin Police Department's only line of duty death in the department's history will be remembered at a special ceremony at a local cemetery on Monday, May 15.

According to the BPD, the annual event to honor Officer Jeffery G. Casner coincides with National Law Enforcement Week, which is next week.

On Feb. 2, 1985, Casner — a 21-year-old rookie cop who was only on the job three months — was struck and killed by a drunk driver while he was directing traffic at a crash on the Berlin Turnpike.

"He was the first and only Line of Duty Death for the Berlin Police Department," wrote the BPD via social media.

The ceremony will take place at 9 a.m. Monday at Maple Cemetery, by Casner's grave. The cemetery is at 1164 Worthington Ridge, Berlin.

While the fatality happened nearly 38 years ago, it is still not lost on the BPD, which has a page dedicated to Casner on its website, as well as an annua award given out in Casner's name.

"This ceremony is held annually around law enforcement week to honor our fallen brother and pay respects to his family," wrote the BPD.

For more information on Officer Jeffery G. Casner, click on this link.