NEW BERLIN – “It was an honest mistake,” said Village of New Berlin Mayor Terry Potter. “It really was. I feel bad about the whole thing.”

In the Village of New Berlin, there has been banter back and forth regarding a deceased man who was buried in an incorrect location after his passing. This was brought to the village’s attention in late May by the other party involved.

Andrew Coyle was diagnosed and lost his battle with cancer in November of last year. He had served as the Assistant Fire Chief in New Berlin.

“Once a brother is laid to rest, he should not be moved,” said Shawn Patrick, former New Berlin Fire Chief. “He was my best friend. The Village of New Berlin dug him up and moved him with nobody knowing.”

Potter said he spoke with the Department of Public Works and the DPW Supervisor once it was brought to his attention that Coyle had been buried in the incorrect spot.

“I called Andrew’s wife and asked her to come to the office,” said Potter. “I explained the unfortunate situation, and we looked at the map.”

Potter said his understanding is there are six burials that can take place in one spot, and Coyle was placed one spot west of where he should have been buried – a distance Potter described as a matter of feet.