Stratford Police Wouldn’t Rest Until Suspect Accused Of Killing Firefighter Was In Custody: PD

STRATFORD, CT — Stratford police wouldn’t rest until the suspect accused of fatally shooting a Bridgeport firefighter was in custody, according to Capt. Jerry Pinto.

Terrence Cramer, a nearly 10-year member of the Bridgeport Fire Department, was found bleeding heavily from a gunshot wound around 1:45 a.m. on Saturday in the area of Feeley Street in Stratford. He was pronounced dead a short time later by a paramedic at the scene, according to Pinto.

Cramer was a 41-year-old father of two sons.

Pinto said the Stratford Police Department’s Detective Bureau began investigating the shooting around 2 a.m. on Saturday and the suspect – 41-year-old Jabari Bush – was taken into custody on a warrant around 4:30 p.m. in Derby after a brief motor vehicle pursuit.

In an email to news reporters on Sunday morning, Pinto said it “is our duty and responsibility to bring honor to the memory of our fallen firefighter brother.”

“None of us were going home until we had captured this dangerous convicted felon and removed his ability to cause future violence against the citizens of CT,” Pinto wrote. “I am extremely proud to have had the privilege to manage such a talented group of investigators, SRT personnel and task force officers yesterday.

“Their personal and collaborative work ethic is what brought this investigation to a successful conclusion.”

Bush was charged with murder, home invasion, and criminal possession of a firearm. He was being held in lieu of a $2 million bond with a court date of March 30.

Pinto also said the Stratford Police Department “greatly appreciates the assistance we received” from the New Haven Police Department, the Seymour Police Department, the Shelton Police Department, the Derby Police Department, and the Connecticut State Police.

The Bridgeport Firefighters, IAFF Local 834 union remembered Cramer as a “devoted father to 2 sons and a friend to every member of the BFD who walked through the doors at engine/ladder 6, where he spent the entirety of his career,” according to a post on Facebook.

“Terrence’s humble demeanor, matched with his huge smile will truly be missed by all,” the post reads. “Local 834 extends our heartfelt condolences to Firefighter Cramer’s family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time. Rest easy brother. You will always be with us.”

The Stratford Professional Firefighters IAFF 998 union wrote in a post on Facebook that Cramer “set the standard.”

“He was a superb firefighter, but more importantly he was a devoted friend, a loving father, and a kind and compassionate human,” the post reads. “Those of us that had the privilege of knowing him were made better simply for having met him. Our condolences go out to his family, friends, and brothers and sisters of BFD. Rest easy Slim.”

See also: Bridgeport Firefighter Killed In Shooting In Stratford: Police