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Norwalk: Manhunt Underway, Police Officer Shot Friday Morning


by turfgrrl


March 21st, 2008 · 105 Comments

This report comes from the press report held at the police station this morning at 6:30am:

At 12:24 am Friday morning, seasoned Norwalk Police officer was investigating an incident a Lubrano Place parking lot. Backups had not arrived yet, and the officer attempted to investigate the activity. The name of the male officer has not been released. The parking lot is actual located at the end of the cul du sac of Lubrano Place.

He was patrolling the area and noticed some suspicious activity and stepped out of his patrol car to investigate. According to Lieutenant paul Resnick, the officer was pronounced dead at the scene, and they have not released details of where the officer was when he was shot, nor where he was shot, although an reporter asked fro confirmation that he was shot in the head.
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parkingNYPD and Westchester aviation units have been marshaled into the ongoiogn investigation and manhunt for a presumably armed and dangerous suspect. State investigative units are involved in investigation.

The last officer killed in the line of duty was in in 1982. Detectives have closed the roads while the crime scene os being processed.

If you have any information, the Norwalk Police ahve established a tip line: 203-854-3111

Tags: Norwalk

105 Responses so far ↓ “Norwalk: Manhunt Underway, Police Officer Shot Friday Morning”


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  • 1 anonymous // Mar 21, 2008 at 7:09 am

    This is so very sad and the entire city is praying for this officer’s family today.

  • 2 Al Raymond // Mar 21, 2008 at 7:50 am

    It`s a sad day when any life is taken. Our prays go out to the family of this officer.PEACE BE WITH US ALL.

  • 3 Anonymous // Mar 21, 2008 at 8:00 am

    Our thoughts and prayers thinking of what to say to the kids when they get up this morning he was a friend who waved everytime he drove by. Mr. G

  • 4 CORRECTION // Mar 21, 2008 at 8:11 am

    “The last time a police officer was killed as a direct result of criminal activity was 36 years ago. On July 9, 1971, Sgt. Nicholas Fera was gunned down while attempting to arrest two armed robbery suspects who had just held up a bank.”
    The Advocate

  • 5 East Norwalk Native // Mar 21, 2008 at 8:25 am

    Thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends and with the entire Police Department.

  • 6 Anonymous // Mar 21, 2008 at 8:41 am

    Rumor has it that Rell will be in attendance with Rilling and Moccia with an army of law enforcement for the news briefing in time for the noon cycle.

  • 7 new Sono resident // Mar 21, 2008 at 9:43 am

    Terribly sad, it’s frustrating that the violence and drug problem w/in Norwalk has gotten to the point that criminals are willing to kill cops. How did it get to this point? It’s frightening to hear rumors that the police are scared to go to parts of SONO, clearly this officer wasn’t scared and clearly he made the ultimate sacrifice. It’s time for the people in these areas to start giving the police information and not worrying about “ratting” out their community and perhaps it’s time to tear down these projects

  • 8 Anonymous // Mar 21, 2008 at 9:44 am

    Wonder if Moccia still agrees that a handgun ban isn’t needed. Maybe one of our intrepid local investigative journalists will have the cojones to ask him at the news briefing.

  • 9 1 of the SMD 3 // Mar 21, 2008 at 9:48 am

    Our prayers go out to the officers family & all the men & women of the NPD.

    #8 Crawl back in you hole.

  • 10 Anonymous // Mar 21, 2008 at 10:12 am

    #8-Ask Kennesaw, Georgia how many of their officers have been killed–by law you MUST own a firearm. Pull your head out of the sand and WAKE UP !!!

    KENNESAW, Ga - Several Kennesaw officials attribute a drop in crime in the city over the past two decades to a law that requires residents to have a gun in the house.

    In 1982, the Kennesaw City Council unanimously passed a law requiring heads of households to own at least one firearm with ammunition.

    The ordinance states the gun law is needed to “protect the safety, security and general welfare of the city and its inhabitants.”

    Then-councilman J.O. Stephenson said after the ordinance was passed, everyone “went crazy.”

    “People all over the country said there would be shootings in the street and violence in homes,” he said. “Of course, that wasn’t the case.”

    In fact, according to Stephenson, it caused the crime rate in the city to plunge.

    Kennesaw Historical Society president Robert Jones said following the law’s passage, the crime rate dropped 89 percent in the city, compared to the modest 10 percent drop statewide.

  • 11 Connecticut is the Wild Wild West Now // Mar 21, 2008 at 10:29 am

    My prayers goes out to the family. It’s so sad that criminals are now killing the one’s who dedicate their lives to making our communities safe.

  • 12 Anonymous // Mar 21, 2008 at 10:58 am

    Its time for Moccia to resign. He has done enough damage to this city lets cut our losses pay him and Harry and be done with this.This page could be filled with examples why but today we mourn tommorrow lets clean house.These two guys havn’t got a clue it was just obvious by the press conference the questions were heading in the wrong direction. The news crews are asking the public in South Norwalk what they think.

    Crime has not stopped we now have what others say would never happen the state has come in to do the investigation and other cities and towns are helping out.Why didn’t they all come when the last murder at Roodner court went down?

    Enough of all this hire some more cops is what has been said for months.

  • 13 Anon // Mar 21, 2008 at 11:12 am

    to #12 so if Moccia and Rilling resign, then what. Who is taking their place? I belive that the president of the Common Council then becomes Mayor. Do you want that?

  • 14 Anonymous // Mar 21, 2008 at 11:31 am

    What we want is message sent how else would you send it airmail? they are tired and old and out of touch with the streets they are hired to protect.

    Mayor just said we don’t have a gang problem troopers and an agents last night said we do.Their only visiting why is there information better than ours?

    They just said the public shouldn’t be worried would you walk today on tonight to the local corner store near Lowe, Woodward, So main or Richards and feel safe?

    There are some who can’t go to shaws stop and Shop or Shop rite they only have the corner store that whats distances the quality of life in Norwalk, places some would never think of going in their own city from fear or disgust.Paints a picture doesn’t it?

  • 15 Wake Up Already! // Mar 21, 2008 at 11:48 am

    I guarantee you that if and when this killer is caught, he will have a rap sheet as long as your arm. I bet he’s had a least 10 run ins with the law. Just you watch. But the BoZo’s out there will start cryin’ “It’s the gun!” If you were to outlaw guns today, do you think the thug on the street would say ” Gee, I was going to rob & kill some one today, but this gun is illegal so I should go turn it in.”. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Look at those thugs in Chesire and what they did to that family. Those two should of rotted in jail, but our lovely judicial system set them free…AGAIN! Wake up people, 90% of the crime is done by the same 10%. Find them, arrest them, put them in jail WITHOUT parole and let them rot!

  • 16 Andrew // Mar 21, 2008 at 12:09 pm

    Please everyone, can we stop this arguing. This isn’t going to do anything. I knew Matt, and his family. He was a great Officer, and an unbelievable person. This isn’t the time to start pointing fingers at the Mayor or the Chief. The problem is much larger, and it’s going to take all of us working together to fix it. I know that I for one, will not take this easily. I am going to help whoever I can, and however I can to start fixing our problems.

  • 17 John O de Fox Run // Mar 21, 2008 at 12:25 pm

    Officer Morelli’s death reinforces how dangerous the job of a police officer is. What’s the first thing someone in town do when they feel they’re in danger? Of course,..they call the police. There seems to be a segment in Norwalk that enjoys bashing our police department. They are naive and ignorant. Sure, the department has had a few black eyes over the last few years, but the vast majority have been due to individual personal problems, NOT departmental. I am proud of our department and thank the men/women in blue. I’m grateful that they’ll be there when I call.

  • 18 Joanne // Mar 21, 2008 at 12:31 pm

    Andrew, you are correct in that pointing fingers and bickering is not going to change what has happend but the community working together will be a first step to the healing process. This should be a time when we put aside our petty bickering and mourn as a community for someone who chose to dedicate his life to serving the people of Norwalk. Whatever our thoughts are on why this happened or how we can prevent it in the future can wait for another day. Today is about Matt and the loss to his family and our city.

  • 19 Anonymous // Mar 21, 2008 at 12:34 pm

    Ask the mayor and Rillings to step down if you want to help #16 it would be the start we are looking for solutions they have had their chance to make it right. The police union had already pointed out staffing at night. The rest of us since the last sensless murder at Roodner court have been pleading for help where have you been?

  • 20 Anonymous // Mar 21, 2008 at 12:39 pm

    Right now the state police is running the show at the crime scene simply ask then to stay for while most of us feel safe today with them here.That would be a start feeling safe that is.

  • 21 Sean // Mar 21, 2008 at 12:50 pm

    Let’s drop the politics- a peace officer has lost his life! Calling on Moccia to resign is not helpful! We must support the mayor and the police department in this time of crisis!

    My name is Sean- I am a democrat and I approve this message- because, we are one community- and today we suffered a huge lost!

  • 22 Andrew // Mar 21, 2008 at 1:02 pm

    #19, I’ve been around the entire time. It saddens me everytime a life is stolen here in Norwalk. Petty politics is brought up everytime something tragic happens in our city. “Blame Moccia, Blame Knopp, Blame Rilling…” the list goes on and on. I’ve been going to group meetings with neighborhoods to see what I can do to help, and I plan on continuing to do so, in the hopes that we can make our city safer.

  • 23 Anonymous // Mar 21, 2008 at 1:10 pm

    #12 is so right its time for the mayor and the chief to go…#16 you say the problem is much larger,if that is the case then you must start to clean house at the top with the mayor and the chief..#21 you sound like a hallmark card,it has nothing to do with supporting the mayor and chief, in-fact its just the reverse…They must support the citizens by doing there job for a change.

  • 24 Anonymous // Mar 21, 2008 at 1:21 pm

    Sean why don’t you add to your list the other resident an adult non gang member who was shot and killed in front of his mother and family around the holiday’s.

    we have substantial threads here on ct blog wondering when this was going to happen. Countless times we all came out asking for help for our friends that are Norwalk officers. praising them for the work they do in and out of uniform.The city has been in crisis for months please don’t act like we for the first time realized we have a problem.If someone in my family died in the line of service under these conditions I would want to see fire in the bellies of the beast and not a passive way to mourn my realtive. By the way I am a victim of in the line twice but this isn’t about me.

    Where was the support for the officers a couple of months ago?

    The loss we suffer grows my friend and to think my kids laid in their beds for three hours while two helicopters flew within yards sometimes feet of their windows with bright lights on looking for suspects.

    That was enough to effect them for life there just kids, so what do i say now your use to it so next time you won’t be scared.

    What would you suggest we do Sean do you know what we have for crime in South Norwalk as it is?

    a peace officer has lost his life, yes and trained law enforcement members of the Norwalk police have lost a brother we have lost a friend one that use to wave to our kids and make us feel safe.

    He served his country as a marine skirted danger all over the world and found the most dangerous job was in Norwalk what does that tell you Sean?

    If the police chief can’t do the job replace him its simple.

  • 25 Anonymous // Mar 21, 2008 at 1:28 pm

    your right Andrew It saddens me everytime a life is stolen here in Norwalk.

    Its almost like an annual event, there is no more surprise to what one hears anymore that is sad as well.

    This is political we have been stroked for months over the present budget and hiring of officers when is that going to end?

    Its hard to run a dept when all you do is damage control isn’t it?

  • 26 Anonymous // Mar 21, 2008 at 2:20 pm

    WTNH online coverage here: http://www.wtnh.com/global/story.asp?s=8049853

    Ironic that the photo on the page shows a leftover Moccia campaign sign. Probably not the kind of exposure “Law n’ Order” Dick likes, though…

  • 27 Sean // Mar 21, 2008 at 2:28 pm

    #23-25- I am not trying to sound like a “Hallmark Card” - but pointing the finger at the mayor is not the right to do! I have voted against Moccia three times and would do so again but this is not the time for politics.

    We should show the world- that this community could rally and support one another! Crime is a huge problem- and we need to work together to bring these criminals to justice!

    The person(s) who did this should get the needle!

  • 28 Aunt Bertha // Mar 21, 2008 at 2:30 pm

    This is tragic news. I am sorry and greatly saddened by Officer Matthew Morrelli’s death. We need more officers working together. When I go to NYC I see groups of officers on the streets. Why does Norwalk send officers out in one man cars? Learn from the practice and don’t repeat it. There are sections of Norwalk that are well known for violence, that is why the police station was moved. The hot spots should have two man cars at all times.

  • 29 Anonymous // Mar 21, 2008 at 2:50 pm

    #27 I hate to sound like a slogan but we have come a long way. A month ago you couldn’t convince most in the city we have problems. Attacking postings with negativity was a sport. Now we have problems and have the public realizing whats going on. Lets now focus on leadership that is where the sour politics come in but its part of the push for safe streets. Its not like the mayor or chief didn’t know what was going on.

  • 30 Peacemaker // Mar 21, 2008 at 3:05 pm

    This is going to be tough, we must remember it takes a village.

    We must apprehend the offenders immediately.

    Attention all parents, did your child arrive home around 12:30 am , if so, please do the right thing, bring your child in to speak with investigators. Its about doing the right thing.

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