Lieutenant Norman Allard, a 46-year-old White man and a 23-year veteran of the New Britain Police Department, died from an accidental firearm discharge at the station on August 16, 1978. The shooting occurred about 2:45 p.m. on a Wednesday afternoon; the wound was described as a single, unintentional gunshot. No foul play or suspect was involved.

A United States Army veteran of the Korean War, Allard was survived by his wife, two sons, and two daughters. His death was reported as a tragic mishap that deeply affected his colleagues and the community he had served.

If anyone has memories of Lieutenant Allard or information about the circumstances that afternoon, please share what is known.