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Norwalk: Officer Matt Morelli Killed


by turfgrrl


March 21st, 2008 · 58 Comments

The mood at Norwalk Police headquarters has been grim all day. I hit the 11 am and 4 pm press conferences looking for more details surrounding the fatal shooting of Officer Matthew Morelli. The investigation is still ongoing, and not much in the way of details have been officially released. I can say that just about every media organization has been all over the story thus far. So, what do we know?

At 12:26 AM Friday morning officer Morelli called dispatch to let them them know he spotted suspicious activity at the end Lubrano Place. He said he was leaving his car to investigate. From that point on he did not respond to subsequent radio contact. One minute later backup officers responded  to the scene and discovered Morelli’s body. Morelli was pronounced dead at the scene by the Chief Medical Examiner.

From there, the investigation details are murky. Little info is coming through official Norwalk channels, yet the Courant managed to get a photo of the crime scene,  despite the area being cordoned off. News choppers caught the scene of squad car 62, with dark stains visible near the drivers side trunk, and a row of Orite trucks.

Morelli’s body is undergoing an autoposy, News 12 and 8 are reporting that he was shot once to the head, and the squad car went to troop G in Bridgeport for examination.

Speculation abounds. Why was Morelli invetigating suspicious activity alone? What was the suspicious activity? Did he pull his service revolver, and did he fire any shots?

Bigger questions hang in the air unanswered. Why are there cops on single patrols at night? Why didn’t Morelli wait for the backup considering how close he was to the police station? Were there any 911 calls to this area previously? Was Morelli due to testify in any trials? Was anyone recently released from prison that had a connection to Morelli? Did Morelli know people in this area? If a cop killer is on the loose, why aren’t Norwalkers being advised  report any suspicious activity?

There’s of course a delicate balance at play here. Details that help us understand what happened are also details that only the perpetrator(s) would presumably know. A good investigation needs to separate out the fanciful from the factual. Yet, residents have a right to know, was this is a close range assault based on some surprised arrival by Morelli, or an ambush part of some ongoing criminal activity?

As details emerge these questions will get answered. In the meanwhile, the Norwalk Police Department faces the daunting task to investigate the shooting, determine what happened while maintain peace and order throughout Norwalk. This is not going to be an easy time for them, and certainly not an easy time for the Morelli family.

Tags: In the News · Norwalk

58 Responses so far ↓ “Norwalk: Officer Matt Morelli Killed”


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  • 1 Karen & Dan Lyons // Mar 21, 2008 at 9:15 pm

    Our sincere prayers are with the Morelli family, friends and the Norwalk Police Department. It is a tragic loss of one of our bravest and dedicated police officers who serve us well. Indeed, this is a sad day in Norwalk.

  • 2 Anonymous // Mar 22, 2008 at 8:24 am

    U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays and Mayor Richard A. Moccia will host a Gang Violence Community Meeting at the Meadow Gardens housing complex in South Norwalk next Tuesday evening.

    Their non involvement got us here the mayor has said things over the last year that has shown complete detachment from the community.He sometimes has outraged the insulted parents who are trying.

    The other groups the other members of the community like Rick , Joanne ect are the ones who realize the needs of the children and adults. Dick stay home your presence may deter others who sincerly care about an outcome.

  • 3 Anonymous Norwalker // Mar 22, 2008 at 8:51 am

    The Advocate this morning is running the only human interest stories about this brave officer and his background. Good reporting from real journalists. He was a human being with a family and came from this area. Read the stories for a better picture of this public servant who touched the lives of many.
    The Hour’s stories are dry and full of speechifying by insignificant nobodies who didn’t know him at all.

  • 4 Anonymous // Mar 22, 2008 at 8:59 am

    If we are all wanting to help solve this give us the tools we need.Its been reported by outside news sources from the Post Advocate and Courant details not given at the press conference.

    Witnesses reported hearing a car leave the area at high speed shortly before the backup officers arrived. This was in the Hartford Courant, information like this helps the residents think back what they heard or saw as well.

    If the news reports it in Hartford it should be in Norwalk as well.

    There are other examples but for now lets leave it to our professionals but read the other papers online their information seems to be credible.

  • 5 turfgrrl // Mar 22, 2008 at 9:15 am

    Anonymous 4: There’s much erroneous information being “reported” as well. I suspect that the State or the FBI are lead investigators, and neither is known for sharing info to locals.

  • 6 Anonymous // Mar 22, 2008 at 9:29 am

    #2-Joanne and Rick are doing a great service to Norwalk by bringing the teens into this committee. They are telling thae kids that they matter. The Mayor and Chris Shays are essential to bringing us all together as a community and NNHT is essential in bringing the teens together as a community. I think they should work together on this for the right results. The only way any of this is going to work is if we adults start understanding what the problems are and start getting involved not only on an adult level but with the kids on a personal level. We can all attend sporting events and we can all clap when our child does well but do we really undrstand whats going on inside them and do we undestand why some have so much turmoil in their young lives? I suggest that we don’t pooh pooh anyone who is trying to help our community and this is exactly what Shays and Moccia are trying to accomplish. We can’t always blame others for our inactions. The death of Officer Morelli has given us a sense of awareness about the magnatude of violence that has surrounded us and now we should all step up and do our part. I urge parents to bring their kids to the the next NNHT meeting which I believe is the first Wednesday of April and let them speak about how they feel and I urge the adults to attend the meetings of Shays and Moccia as well as other groups trying to help the community because without these groups and the community will never come together as one. While you are at it, if you see a police officer, say thank you for serving our community and for caring.

  • 7 Joanne // Mar 22, 2008 at 9:52 am

    Thank you number 6- This is exactly what we are trying to accomplish. In light of the recent death of officer Morelli, we are more dedicated than ever to help our teens and to help our community understand what is happening. We are working on our next meeting and will post it in the Hour newspaper.

  • 8 Anonymous // Mar 22, 2008 at 11:56 am

    First I would like to send my prayers to the Morelli Family. This is a very sad time for them and Norwalk. Officer Morelli’s efforts are appreciated and will never be forgotten!

    Second, I would like to comment on #2’s comments:

    #2:
    “Their non involvement got us here the mayor has said things over the last year that has shown complete detachment from the community.He sometimes has outraged the insulted parents who are trying.”

    People are very quick to put blame on Mayor Moccia and U.S. Rep. Chris Shays as if they ALONE can change the city. The community needs to take a step forward and help the Mayor among others make these changes possible. I don’t see the Police Dept. being called when suspicious groups are lingering in our streets. People walk the other way.
    If more parents were involved in their kids lives, maybe this wouldn’t be. There are a lot of gang related issues rising in Norwalk among pre-teens and teenagers (which could be the reason for this tragedy). Now, I am NOT saying this towards all parents, there are a lot of parents that take the time to ensure the safety of their kids, but where are the parents of the children walking through the streets at 10pm? What 14-15 year old should be out there?? NONE!!! So, I wonder why would parents take offense if they are doing all they could??? I know as a parent I am doing everything in my power to teach my child the right path, and it doesn’t matter what anyone says, Including the Mayor, I know where my efforts are. So, I would be in agreement with the Mayor encouraging others, not playing the attacked parent!

  • 9 Anonymous // Mar 22, 2008 at 12:01 pm

    your right Turfgrll I would feel much better if the outside agencies took over the press conferences as well. Confidence would be beneficial to the police officers and residents at this point in time.

    As you also pointed out much has been said so lets give it time but hear from someone with experience in these kinds of situations.
    Speculation doesn’t help solve crimes or give the residents any more comfort in knowing what already has transpired.

  • 10 Anonymous // Mar 22, 2008 at 12:13 pm

    #8 how would you bring Mayor Moccia and the NNHT together I havn’t seen any endorsement any compliments shown from the mayor have you?

  • 11 Anonymous // Mar 22, 2008 at 12:38 pm

    I’d like to offer my condolences to the mayor. It won’t be easy coming up with the amount of spin and ass-covering he’ll be needing in the next few weeks, considering how he positioned himself as tough on crime in the last election. Of course, he’ll have the Hour at his side to make the task easier.

  • 12 Anonymous // Mar 22, 2008 at 12:39 pm

    I don’t see the Police Dept. being called when suspicious groups are lingering in our streets.

    Thats a tough call unless they are doing something wrong they can stand there. As far as calling on groups they are responding to at least 4 times calls per hour than last year. Reminding you with less manpower than last year.

    Finding misinformed residents city wide is a problem they are not wrong with what they say or perceive its as most police officers will say if you only knew.

    So who’s job is it to teach the residents? Who tells the fact so we don’t hear from the average resident we don’t need we don’t have or nobody reports. We are the information highway here why don’t we have a posting from just the police dept telling us areas to be concerned with things to look for ect.

    We have a police website that highlights our mayor Alex Knopp think it needs updating?

  • 13 anonymous // Mar 22, 2008 at 1:53 pm

    why are the autopsy results being delayed ?

  • 14 anon // Mar 22, 2008 at 1:59 pm

    #13 - because it is all part of a world-wide conspiracy to keep you in the dark, just like the JFK assassination. Do have any idea what is involved in performing an autopsy and getting specimens analyzed and how long it takes to get the toxicology back. Chill out and just relax. The truth will out in its time.
    Oh and by the way, the public does not have the right to know everything about a criminal investigation as it is progressing and even after it is completed there may also be details that are none of your business.

  • 15 Anonymous // Mar 22, 2008 at 2:21 pm

    Because they don’t want to release incorrect and inconclusive evidence that will start much speculation like is already being tossed around by those with no clue and by those close to the incident. Isn’t it better to have all the information instead of the conspiracy theories are are popping up on the news and throughout the community? Lets see so far its been gang related, drug related, suicide, retaliation and gang initiation as well as a routine stop gone bad. Lets wait and see what the professionals have to tell us before we start speculating.

  • 16 Anonymous // Mar 22, 2008 at 2:25 pm

    People, people, slow down, take a breath.

    We will get through this.

    Lets keep the attacks down.
    This is not the time, that time will come but this
    is a moment when we should all be reflecting, on our lives, our families, our achievements and where do we want to go and what do we really want to accomplish.

    Let the starmen do their work. The kliegs are fired up. May be alot to shake out here.

    We can come together, we shall unite.

    Today we morn our losses an promise to ourselves, to our families, to our communities we will make it better.

  • 17 Anonymous // Mar 22, 2008 at 2:26 pm

    maybe 13 was simply wondering what type of weapons are being used on the streets. It goes back to the residents sitting wondering how safe we are.

    Yes I found it to be a question that could wait but certainly some of the postings out here don’t come from that area where all the trouble is every night where safe streets is not a term you could use. I live around the corner and I was giving a friend a ride home and said drop me off here its to dangerous for you to drive down alone at night and I live two streets away.

    Its hard to have the mindset of anyone who doesn’t live there so yes the post was premature but have you thought about whats it like to lock your door tonight and hope you don’t hear another shot.

    For those who don’t live the way we do, we here gunshots almost every night between the housing complexes if you stand on water street you get the echo every time from carlton, meadow and the village like you were next to the firing.

    Its odd how others in the city have an impression of what goes on but have no clue to the life of the poor bastards that live here. Why is that?

  • 18 Anonymous // Mar 22, 2008 at 3:30 pm

    Something that we must do immediately is put in dash cams in all patrol vehicles. No dicussions.

  • 19 Anonymous // Mar 22, 2008 at 3:33 pm

    I second the motion. Mayor?

  • 20 Anonymous // Mar 22, 2008 at 4:13 pm

    I agree dash cams are need…this way we can see when the officer is sleeping.

  • 21 Anonymous // Mar 22, 2008 at 8:47 pm

    First I would like to send my prayers to the Morelli Family. We have lost control in Norwalk and instead of trying to gain control we are moving ahead to make the city lager and more over crowded by over developing. We cant handle what we have. Mr mayor and cheif Rilling work to make the city a safe place to live, it’s not a safe place now. The norwalk name has been damaged so bad by this tragic killing, I hope it wakes you both up to understand what’s really important. Peace, safty, and quality of life not how many condos or buildings you can get into a neighborhood but instead how safe can you make an existing neighborhood.

  • 22 Anonymous // Mar 22, 2008 at 8:59 pm

    oct 17th 2007

    Union: Not enough police on duty during night shift

    The city and its police officers are in danger because there aren’t enough cops on the street at night, the local police union president is asserting.
    Typically, about 12 officers are on staff after 3 a.m., police said. But three of them aren’t allowed to leave the building: Those in charge of the holding facility, dispatch and the front desk.

    “A lot of times, they’re out there with only eight guys manning the street. That’s not safe for the city and that’s not safe for the men,” said Officer William Curwen, police union Local 1727 president. “We’re at a really dangerously low situation. We’ve been running on luck on the seat of our pants for so long, it’s become the norm for us. There’s going to be a time when that luck will run out.”

    Curwen said members of the midnight shift were angered by statements from Mayor Richard Moccia and Police Chief Harry Rilling, published Oct. 7 in The Hour, that staffing levels after 3 a.m. were adequate based on call volume

  • 23 Anonymous // Mar 22, 2008 at 9:05 pm

    City Board of Estimate and Taxation Chairman Fred Wilms said police overtime spending is “one of our most difficult challenges” because on one hand, board members want to keep taxes as low as possible while on the other hand, “we all want to live in a city that has a low crime rate, and where the police department has all of the tools they need to protect us.

  • 24 Anonymous // Mar 23, 2008 at 8:43 am

    45 years ago there were six car patrols, a couple of Sgts, and 11 walking cops. some walking beats were not covered all the time, but they averaged 16 officers on the street. Now they have half as many, and many times more calls. One man worked communications. They didn’t pay time and a half for overtime, and they had supernumeries who worked for less than regular cops. No wonder they have recruiting problems now.

  • 25 Anonymous // Mar 23, 2008 at 9:32 am

    If Rillings had told us the condition of the fleet and where the budget sits with overtime and if Dick a police commissioner came forewood with accountability we would be asking them to resign. Its time for the 7,000 or so who voted Dick in to simply wake up.

  • 26 Moccia is tough on crime // Mar 23, 2008 at 9:48 am

    Curwen backs a former mayor that he wants to see run again. they are frequently seen togewther. he will say whatever he needs to prop up his friend. at least understand the motives. Moccia has been tough on crime and the rates are much lower than the murder spree that was upon us when the last mayor was thrown out.

  • 27 anonymous // Mar 23, 2008 at 10:16 am

    Doesn’t anyone remember the cowboy years in the late 80’s-mid 90’s. Violence and murder was a lot worse back then.

  • 28 Anonymous // Mar 23, 2008 at 10:25 am

    #26 you say Moccia has been tough on crime…if anything it the exact opposite..he has done nothing about crime…don’t forget hes the one that resigned the contract for Rilling…Moccia is all talk…he needs to be impeached..#27 you must be talk about NYC as Norwalk was a much safer place in the 80’s and 90’s

  • 29 Anonymous // Mar 23, 2008 at 10:44 am

    #26 you lost your credibility before you started your name tag was something to laugh about this morning. This is what happens when your ship starts sinking.

  • 30 Anonymous // Mar 23, 2008 at 10:45 am

    there is more than one who wants the job now

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