Two people were killed and five others hospitalized as a result of the March 28 blaze, which caused “catastrophic” damage to the four-story building, officials said.
New Bedford Police Chief Joseph Cordeiro Announces Retirement
NEW BEDFORD New Bedford Police Chief Joseph Cordeiro has announced that he is retiring from the department.
Cordeiro, who has been serving on the force in New Bedford for 35 years, including the last five as Chief of Police, will wrap up his career on April 23. Deputy Chief Paul J. Oliveira will take over as Acting Chief of Police on April 24, the City of New Bedford announced in a press release.
“I am grateful to have worked with the amazing men and women of the New Bedford Police Department over the course of my career. I profoundly appreciate the support of our community, without which our many accomplishments over my five-year term as chief would not have been possible,” Cordeiro said in the release, noting he was proud to be the first Portuguese immigrant to serve as Chief of Police in New Bedford. “It has been my great privilege over the past 35 years to serve the people of the city I love.”