SEPTA bus operator Bernard Gribbin was taken from his family, his coworkers, and our SEPTA community three years ago today in a senseless act of violence. Bernard should be remembered for the life he lived and the people whose lives he touched not simply for the tragic circumstances of his death.
The sentencing of Bernard’s killer earlier this month to 32½ to 67 years in prison delivers justice in response to this senseless violence. We are grateful for the efforts of SEPTA Transit Police, the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, and our law enforcement partners throughout this investigation and prosecution.
Unfortunately nothing can bring Bernard back to us. But in his memory we are committed to doing everything possible to ensure the safety and security of the hardworking men and women who provide the public transit services that hundreds of thousands of our residents rely on every day.
We have partnered with the Transport Workers Union (TWU), SEPTA Transit Police and transit agencies across Pennsylvania to reduce assaults and other acts of aggression aimed at our bus operators and other frontline personnel. And we are actively working with state lawmakers to pass the Bernard N. Gribbin Law to strengthen penalties for assaults against public transit operators. Our hope is that stiffer penalties will ultimately deter these attacks from happening.
This was a heinous crime and one that we should never forget.
Our thoughts remain with Bernard’s wife, his sons, his friends, and his SEPTA colleagues especially those at Midvale District who continue to mourn his loss. We will not forget Bernard. And we will continue working to protect the men and women who come to work every day to serve our region.