MCS Report #63
Classification: Homicide
Requesting Agency: St. John Police Department
Date of Activation: 09/23/1978
Commander and Department: Capt. Frank Reich, University City PD
Deputy Report Officer and Department: Det. Ray Thurmond, Overland PD
Victim: Detective Terry James Bergmann, Tampa FL PD
Suspect: Paul Joseph Stearns
The St. John Police Department requested the assistance of the Major Case Squad in investigating the death of Detective Terry Bergmann (age 28) with the Tampa, FL Police Department. At approximately 4:15am, police officers responded to a residence in the 9500 block of Muriel Avenue for a report of a shot fired. There they located Detective Terry Bergmann on the back porch of the residence. He had been shot and was pronounced dead on scene. It was determined he had been in the area on vacation.
As a result of this investigation, Paul Stearns (age 31) was charged with Murder 2nd Degree. His bond was set at $50,000.
