Executive Director Joseph Occhipinti announced the posting of the $10,000 Safe Cop Reward in connection with the armed assault and murder of Darien, Connecticut Police Officer Kenneth Bateman 33-years ago. He was killed on May 31, 1981 by unknown assailants while responding to an activated burglar alarm at a fast food restaurant in Darien Connecticut.

The posting of the $10,000 Safe Cop reward was predicated upon a request from Darien Police Chief Duane J. Lovello on February 6, 2014.

The Safe Cop program is a congressionally recognized law enforcement initiative of the National Police Defense Foundation that posts up to a $10,000 reward for public information leading to the arrest and conviction of any person who shoots at a law enforcement officer, anywhere in the United States.

Anyone with information relative to this police homicide is asked to contact the Darien Police Department at 203-662-5300 or National Police Defense Foundation at 888-SAFE COP.

The Safe Cop program was established in 1995. It has been instrumental in the arrest of several suspects involved in police related shootings including arrests in the murders of Broward County (FL) Deputy Sheriff Paul Rein, St. Petersburg (FL) Police Officer David Crawford and Colleton County (SC) Deputy Sheriff Dennis Compton, among others nationwide.

Official Releases

NPDF Letter to Darien Police Chief

Formal Letter of Request for Safe Cop Reward

Press Release Safe Cop Kenneth Bateman

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