Police say a coordinated, all-hands effort led to the arrest of a convicted felon charged with killing Bridgeport Firefighter Terrence Cramer

By Jesse Leavenworth
Journal Inquirer

STRATFORD, Conn. — The investigation into the fatal shooting of Bridgeport firefighter Terrence Cramer was an all-hands, concerted effort, particularly since the suspected shooter was convicted in an earlier crime, Stratford police Captain Jerry Pinto said Sunday.

“You should all know,” Pinto wrote in an email to news reporters, “that it is our duty and responsibility to bring honor to the memory of our fallen firefighter brother.

| MORE: The weight of the flashlight: PTSD, depression and survivor’s guilt can strike all ranks

“None of us were going home until we had captured this dangerous, convicted felon and removed his ability to cause future violence against the citizens of Connecticut,” Pinto wrote, referring to the arrest of Jabari Bush of West Haven.

Bush, 40, was arrested in Derby after a motor vehicle chase and charged with murder, home invasion and criminal possession of a firearm, Stratford police said. Bush had been convicted in the early 2000s of first-degree assault with a firearm and other charges connected to the shooting and wounding of another person in New Haven, Pinto said.

Stratford police responding to a report of a shooting in the area of Feeley Street at 1:44 a.m. Saturday found Cramer, 41, bleeding heavily from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead shortly after paramedics arrived, police said.

Bush, who was arrested at about 4:30 p.m., was being held in lieu of a $2 million bond for a court appearance Monday, police said.

“The Stratford Police Department greatly appreciates the assistance we received from the New Haven Police Department, Derby Police Department, Seymour Police Department, Shelton Police Department and the Connecticut State Police,” the department said in a statement.

The Bridgeport Fire Department sent out a statement late Saturday saying its members were “deeply saddened” by Cramer’s death.

“Firefighter Cramer was not only a valued member of our department, but also a friend, colleague, and public servant who will be greatly missed. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Firefighter Cramer’s family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time.”

Pinto said he was “extremely proud to have had the privilege to manage such a talented group of investigators, ( Special Response Team ) personnel and task force officers yesterday. Their personal and collaborative work ethic is what brought this investigation to a successful conclusion.”

The 2026 honorees include longtime volunteer Roger Beedy, health and safety advocate Frank Leeb, junior firefighter Grace Isakson and Plano Fire Explorers Post 215

March 30, 2026 01:08 PM

 · 

Smith Valley Fire Chief Amy Beick says the moment highlights growing representation in the fire service and aims to inspire more women to join

The arrests followed a Texas Rangers investigation into allegations involving members of the Howe Volunteer Fire Department

March 30, 2026 09:30 AM

 · 

Muskegon Heights firefighters were forced to bail out windows after fire trapped them on the second floor

March 30, 2026 11:36 AM

 · 

© 2026 Journal Inquirer, Manchester, Conn.
Visit www.journalinquirer.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

$50,000 in fire department grants and 350 pancake breakfast fundraiser kits will be awarded