New Bedford CO, Police Stop Man with Gun Outside Court
December 10, 2009
A court officer from New Bedford District Court, joined by local police, apprehended a man allegedly carrying a loaded .22-caliber pistol outside the courthouse.
The court officer subdued and handcuffed Joe Andrade, 25, of New Bedford, on the morning of December 7. Andrade was wanted on a warrant for the alleged armed robbery of a convenience store on December 2. Police spotted the suspect in front of the court and struggled with him, but the court officer rushed from New Bedford District Court and helped police get him under control. Andrade was arranged on several charges and held until a dangerousness hearing later in the week.
"I am proud of the work our Trial Court members do, especially in emergencies such as this one," said David J. Holway, NAGE national president. "This court officer made the difference in a situation that could have had a tragic outcome."
"It's the growing brazenness like this that makes a lot of us say, 'this isn't your father's court officer job,'" said David Abbott, president of NAGE Local 228, which represents the court officers. "A generation ago, even the tough guys wouldn't stand out in front of a court with a weapon. Now they don't even hesitate to fight police officers, never mind court officers."
Abbott said the incident underscores the reason why the union continues to fight for Group 4 retirement benefits for court security personnel.