Slain cop's family expresses gratitude

The family of slain Maplewood police Sgt. Joe Bergeron has been so overwhelmed by the community support it has received that it is turning to billboards to say thank you.

"The Bergeron family has been inundated with condolences, well wishes and donations," the Maplewood Police Department said in a statement. "The Bergeron family is very appreciative of the overwhelming support they have been shown to the point they can never thank everyone personally, which they had hoped to do."

Clear Channel Outdoor Advertising has agreed to run a "thank you" for the family for the next week on the company's electronic billboards in Maplewood at Hwy. 36 and White Bear Avenue and at Interstate 494 and Carver Avenue.

The message reads "Thank you for all the love and support. Gail, Allie and Sammy Bergeron" and includes the sergeant's photo. Allie and Sammy, both 13, are the Bergerons' twin daughters.

Bergeron, 49, was killed May 1 as he sat in his squad car, shot by Jason John Jones, 21, who in turn was fatally shot by a St. Paul police officer.

Bergeron was responding to a carjacking call involving Jones and accomplice Joshua M. Martin, 21. Martin pleaded guilty to second-degree intentional murder, aiding and abetting, and is scheduled to be sentenced next Friday.

PAUL WALSH