BRISTOL--- May 25, 1966

 Press Headlines...

"Patrolman Nocera Hit By Blast From Shotgun..." "Kidnapper Killed!"

 The Story:

Former Water Department employee Albert Bunn, kidnaps 6 year old Michael Albee of Terryville about 8am. Shortly before noon Bristol Police catch up to Bunn on the rear of his heavily wooded Mine Road property. Chief Grace uses a bullhorn and orders Bunn to release the boy and give himself up. Bunn barricades himself and Albee on a wooded embankment. Nocera, a 16 year veteran of the force, knows Bunn and volunteers to negotiate. As he approaches, they begin to talk. Suddenly Bunn open fires at Nocera. Nocera goes down. He is badly wounded in his right arm, shoulder, and face from a shotgun blast. (press photo)Fearing the worst for Albee, Bristol Dog Warden Wilfred Morin gets the OK from Chief Grace  to approach Bunn. Morin also worked as a bartender and knew Bunn as one of his regular customers. He tries to talk Bunn into releasing Albee and succeeds after offering him a drink of water. Bunn gets the water and frees the hostage. Morin is shown here carrying Albee to safety.

At this point the situation becomes dramatic. Detective Sergeant Stanley (Buzz) Barton moves in closer. He yells to Bunn, "We've got you covered, drop your gun!" Barton fires a warning shot... Bunn aims his gun at Barton and Barton fires twice with a .410 shotgun. Bunn returns fire! Patrolman Alfred Rafaniello shoots twice with his .38 Special Revolver, and Barton shoots once more. --Bunn is dead.

At the Bristol Hospital, Nocera is being read the last rights by a priest. He pulls through surgery and later returns to duty for several more years before retiring. As of this writing (Jan 1997), Joe Nocera still works at his Barber Shop in Forestville, Conn. (The photos you see on this page are from his collection). *footnote, Nocera retired from the barber shop in January, 2000.