Amid charges, Fleury resigns Pelham police chief's post

By Mary Carey
Staff Writer

Published on January 30, 2009

Police Chief Edward Fleury has resigned from his job, almost three months after an 8-year-old boy died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at a weapons expo co-sponsored by the chief's company, COP Firearms & Training.

Fleury - who has been on sick leave and vacation since the death - will have March 16 be his last official day as a town employee, at which time his vacation time runs out, selectmen said. He had been on sick leave from the time of the accident, Oct. 26, until Jan. 5, when he was placed on paid vacation leave.

He will have "no active or passive role in Police Department affairs," according to the terms of his agreement with the town, dated Jan. 12, and will perform no services on behalf of the town unless expressly required to do so..."

In a letter to Fleury from Board of Selectmen Chairman William Martell, the chairman simply acknowledges the board's "appreciation for your service as Chief of Police for the Town of Pelham from June 1987 through March 2009 and recognizes your honorable separation from employment on March 16, 2009."

"He did OK while he was here," Martell said Monday.

Fleury's departure was a "mutual decision." Martell said. Lt. Gary Thomann, the other full-time officer in the department, will continue to serve as acting chief "until we decide what to do next," Martell added.

"I've worked with Ed for 21 years and I enjoyed working with him and I wish him all the best," Thomann said.

In recent weeks, selectmen have appointed people to other posts in town that Fleury had held, including animal control administrator as well as Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and Civil Defense liaison. Fleury was also the town's representative to the Hampshire Council of Goverments, a post he informed selectmen he would resign.

Fleury, the Westfield Sportsman's Club, Carl Giuffre, of Hartford, Conn., and Domenico Spano, of New Milford, Conn., were each arraigned last month on an involuntary manslaughter charge in connection with the death of Christopher Bizilj, of Ashford, Conn. The 8 year old lost control of a 9mm micro submachine gun he tried to fire at a pumpkin during a supervised shoot.

Fleury and the club have also been charged with four counts of furnishing a weapon to a minor.

All have entered not-guilty pleas.

The chief could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted on the involuntary manslaughter charge and up to 10 years if convicted of furnishing a weapon to a minor.

Fleury, who earned a salary of about $53,000 this year, will continue to receive health insurance through the town trough the end of March and is entitled to all of the benefits received by retired employees of the town and its Police Department once the relevant retirement board grants his retirement application.

He is to return any equipment belonging to the town in his possession and releases the town from any debts, suits, actions, claims or liabilities, including claims for "severance pay, interest, attorney's fees, costs, and reinstatement of employment with the town ..."

"He served the town well for 22 years," said Selectman Edward Martin, the board's liaison to the Police Department.

Mary Carey can be reached at mary.carey@att.net.