Norwood Police Department
Memory Lane
The Norwood Police Department is steeped in History and Tradition. Here, you can patrol Memory Lane. Included on this page will be photos and remembrances of and by officers. If you have a submission you would like to contribute contact Lieut. Brian Murphy at 781-762-6888 or by email BMurphy@ci.norwood.ma.us
Click on the thumbnails below to enlarge the image.
Our first offering is from December of 1963. At the time, the Boston Herald was running a weekly feature on the police departments of the metropolitan Boston area. Included with the story was an illustration of several members of the department. Here is Norwood's.
Gallery of Chiefs
of the Norwood Police Department
Rhodes, 1896-1907 Sackett, 1907-08 Lavers, 1909-13 Readel, 1913-15
Swift, 1915-21 Kindelan, 1921-25 Sullivan, 1925-46 Lydon 1946-50
Coyne, 1950-52 Folan, 1952-62, Murphy, 1963-73 Curran, 1974-1981
DiBlasi, 1981-97 King, 1998- Present Gallery of Chiefs
After the September 1974 armed robbery of the Needham National Bank on Route One, and the cross town pursuit and shoot-out which followed, the town answered the officers' calls for more firepower. Here, Officer Tom Michienzi equips a patrol car with a Remington 870 shotgun.
Circa 1976 - Local officers who attended a defensive driving class included these Norwood officers. Frank Walsh, Peter Borroni, Bill Murphy, Ben Grudinskas, Ed Farioli, and Joe Flaherty.
While this photo might not be old enough for Memory Lane, the two men pictured are: Officer Paul Bishop, Administrative Assistant to the Chief of Police and Bernie Cooper Assistant Town Manager each have well over thirty years of service behind them and many more ahead. The two were classmates and lab partners at Norwood High School Class of '65.
Oh, the places we've been!
The early homes of the Norwood Police Department were all centered around the area of Nahatan, Washington, Market and Central Streets. The first Police offices were in the white frame building located at 540 Washington Street. The first photo shows this house from the southeast. Later the offices were moved to the "temporary Town Hall on Market Street at Nahatan St. This structure with the bell tower was located in what is now the town hall parking lot. In 1907 the brick firehouse was constructed at the corner of Nahatan and Market Streets. Shortly thereafter the Police Headquarters were moved to the second floor front of the building. The Police Station remained there until the permanent Town Hall was built in 1928. It then took up quarters on the bottom floor. The Town Lock-up, built in 1879 and used for keeping prisoners until 1964 can be seen in between the temporary town hall and the firehouse.
The N.P.D. Fleet from 1930 features a Patrol Wagon, Chief's car, Ambulance, and two motorcycles.
Then and Now
1970 Off. Al Bishop and Chief Jim
Murphy
2002 Off. Paul Bishop and Lt. Brian Murphy
From 1977, Norwood Tire makes a donation to the Officer Frank Walsh Fund. Left to right, Officer Tom Michienzi, Bill Fiske, Al Fiske, and Officer Joseph Flaherty.
Patrolmen Tom Michienzi (driving) and Bud Lawrie, 1971.
February 1963, Officers Joseph P. Flaherty (left), and Bill Casey, who both later became detectives, get early experience investigating an incident where someone fired a shot at a moving police car.
Officer Tom Michienzi preserves the crime scene: Armed robbery at Baystate Federal late 60's.
Early 1970's Officer Robert "Bud" Lawrie calls in on the call box at R.R. Ave and Wash.
A new find is a photo of Norwood's motorcycle Officer John "Sharkey" Conroy
From the late forties Officer Conroy, now on four wheels, picks up new cruisers with Chief Thomas Lydon
Does anyone know remember R.E. Hight Chevrolet?
We have learned that Hight Chevrolet, (later Mac Moran Chevrolet) was at Rt 1 and Everett St. The sand hill in the background is gone now. At one time it came right down to the highway. It is now Analog.
Another recent find is this picture of Norwood Police and Fire personnel posing together along with police and firefighters from other area departments.
Thirty Year Club - This photo from 1973 features the unusual occurrence of six members of the department having 30 years of service or more at one time.
Patrolmen Bud Lawrie and Vito DiCicco with a displaced Dunn's Pond resident in the new station, 1964.
Lieut. John Wall posed for this photo on the occasion of his retirement in 1984. He is flanked on the left by his sons Sergt. Richard Wall and Officer Jay Wall and on the right by nephews Officer Peter Borroni and Officer William Wall.
December 28, 1962, Sgt. Henry Breen completes his forty-one year career with the Norwood Police Department.
From the late 40's - early 50's
Seated are Officers Jim Quinn, George Sanborn, and Jim Lyden. Standing are Officer Valentine Balutis, Sergeant Thomas McNulty, Lieutenant Patrick Coyne, Officer John Nee and Officer Bill Lydon.
Officer Albert Bishop surveys vandalism committed in one of the finer homes in Norwood in the early 1950's
Officer John Wall and Chief Mark Folan investigate a train vs. car collision in the mid-1950's. Would a car stand up as well today?
"Scoop"
The majority of the old photos that appear on this page were taken by longtime newsman Eugene "Scoop" McLean.
Many others, including all of the photos on the Memorial Page, were taken by Off. Les LeBlanc.
Did these officers ever make you dump out your beer? Did you ever get a ride in the Impact Unit?
The original, often imitated - never duplicated - IMPACT UNIT. L-R Officers Bill Brooks, Charlie Hainley, Dave Milligan, and Sergt. Charlie King in 1982. Other officers followed. Through the 1980's the unit targeted underage drinking. Also, the unit concentrated on drug abuse. The Impact Unit was the scourge of party organizers, the subject of graffiti, and the inspiration for the naming of a local band.
If you went to the West School in December of 1948 you might be in this picture.
Cover of the program for the dedication of the Norwood Police and Fire facility on Nahatan Street, May 1964.
Chief James M. Murphy and Father Sennott of St. Catherine of Sienna Church at the dedication
Chief Murphy with his family on the day of the dedication.
Has it been 25 years already? Yes!
From 1968, We're not sure of the occasion but a photo opportunity nonetheless.
Safety Officer Rich Giacoppo and Sergeant Bill Murphy flank America's Most Wanted's John Walsh on a visit to the set. Giacoppo and Murphy were among a contingent from the Massachusetts chapter of the Italian American Police Officer Inc. that went to Washington, DC to present Mr. Walsh with that organization's award recognizing his contribution to law enforcement.
Chief William Sullivan with the department in 1928
Chief Mark Folan with the department in the mid 1950's
Chief James Murphy with the department in 1972
Chief George DiBlasi with the department in 1984
From the early 50's Sergeant James Murphy and Officer Jim Quinn discuss the result of a suspicious noise complaint.
From the early 1950's Lieutenant William Jankowski, and the Norwood Police Revolver Team. Left to right with revolvers: Sergeant James Murphy, Officer Valentine Balutis, Officer James Lyden, Officer Albert Bishop, and Officer Francis Paquette.
Leaders of town government and Norwood Clergy (who display Chaplain badges) are flanked by Officers Joseph Coyne, Dom Fruci, Dick Joseph, and Tom Michienzi on the left and Officer Robert Lawrie, Chief Jim Murphy, Sergeant Arthur Groh and Sergeant Nick Connolly on the right.
From the mid 1970's Sergeant Valentine Balutis, Officers Thomas Michienzi, Paul Fulton and Joseph Coyne.
Officer William Wall and Officer Dominic Fruci flanking a State Police Detective examine the recovered loot of a 1974 bank robbery.
Chief James Curran and Officer Joseph Flaherty examine just some of the firepower recovered.
At a ceremony in the Selectmen's Chambers later that month (September 1974) the Norwood Board of Selectmen cited the officer's for their bravery after the cross-town pursuit which included a driving gun battle between two career felons and members of the Norwood and Westwood police departments. In the back row, left to right, are Off. William Wall, Off. Nicolino Destito, Det. Robert Lawrie, Off. Joseph Flaherty, Off. Anthony Yelapi, Off. Thomas Michienzi, Chief James Curran, Sgt. Valentine Balutis, Off. Frank Walsh, Off. James Michienzi, and Det. Sgt. Arthur Groh. Sgt. Balutis, who was wounded by gunfire, and Off. T. Michienzi were also awarded the Norwood Medal for Heroism.
At center is a young girl whose dog fell through ice on Dunn's Pond in 1948. Dunn's pond later became the site of the Norwood Police and Fire facility. On the left is Private John Howard of the Norwood Fire Department (later Deputy Chief). On the right is Patrolman James Murphy of the Norwood Police Department (later Chief). Howard and Murphy rescued the dog. Today, Deputy Howard (retired) can usually be found at the Senior Center or out and about serving on yet another committee.
Not quite so long ago, but enough for Memory Lane. Officers Robert Harkins, Richard Giacoppo, and Kevin Grasso were recognized at a State House ceremony for their bravery in capturing a young man who took a Norwood family hostage, at gun point, in the middle of the night, in 1990. The felon planned to abduct the woman, drive to her place of employ, and have her empty the safe. Joining the officers are, Then Chief George DiBlasi, then State Senator Bill Keating, then Governor William Weld, and then State Representative Gregory Sullivan.
Below is a photo of an early Norwood Police Cruiser. Behind the wheel is Chief Harry Swift. This was taken around 1918 at Central Street looking North. The first building on the left is the former town hall which was located in the lot of the current town hall. The next building on the left was the town's male prisoner lock-up. It served as a jail until the department moved to its present quarters in 1964.
Many times over the years the parish of St. Catherine of Sienna hosted a "Blue Mass" in honor of the Norwood Police Department's current members and in memory of those departed. The next photo was taken as the officers marched into the church for the Blue Mass of 1967. Readily identifiable are (left to right) Off. Tom Michienzi, Off. J. P. Flaherty, Off. Fred Quattruci, Off. Ted Travers, Off. Joe Giampa, Off. Dom Fruci, Off. Nick Destito.
In a photograph from the 1940's Officers James Murphy and Charles "Nubby" Donnell pose before a Norwood cruiser. Donnell was one of the greatest athletes ever to come from Norwood High School. He was a professional wrestler. He obviously commanded the respect of those on his beat. Murphy later became Chief of the department.
Chief James W. Lavers had his department out in force for the 1909 dedication of the Civic Building, located on the current site of Caritas Norwood Hospital. Later, the building was destroyed by fire but rebuilt. The property was sold to Norwood Hospital in the 1970's. Left to right: Walter A. Readel, William Barrett, Cornelius Murphy, Chief Lavers, John Linnehan, Harry Corbett, and Irving Reid.
The thumbnails below are photos of the Norwood Police leading various parades through the years.
1999
1995
1970
1970
1912
1950
1981
1989
1992
1953
1940s
1948
1992
Many, many years ago, famed American artist Norman Rockwell painted "The Runaway." It was used as a cover for the Saturday Evening Post. The painting depicted a Massachusetts State Police trooper at a lunch counter taking notice of a waif intent on running away. The painting became a favorite wall hanging of police officers around the country. A few years ago, members of police departments in this area conspired to produce the image on the right. Trooper Ronnie Palladino, Detective David Milligan of the Norwood Police Department recreated the famous scene. Robert Naughton, a Norwood native and Medfield detective took the photograph. Click on the thumbnails .
Chief Mark Folan and Lieut. James Murphy leave Dedham Superior Court after the successful prosecution of a mid-1950's murder.
THEN & NOW
In a photo from the mid-1970's Officer Uno Carlson crosses young Joe Sampson at Nahatan and Washington Streets after his dismissal from St Catherine's School. Joe "Turk" Sampson now dispatches for the Norwood Police.
Left to right, Officers Tom Michienzi, Frank Fruci, Bill Murphy, and Sergeant Joe Giampa as they survey a cache of weapons and stolen property seized after a mid-1970's investigation.
FBI National Academy Graduates
Two members of the Norwood Police Department have graduated from the F.B.I. National Academy. Chief James M. Murphy graduated from the 82nd Session in 1968. Detective Sergeant William G. Brooks graduated from the 175th Session in 1993. The National Academy is recognized as the finest law enforcement training available in the world. Police agencies from every state in the nation as well as their counterparts throughout the world, strive to procure an appointment to the National Academy.
The program of the FBI National Academy is long and difficult. The training lasts three months and there is a heavy concentration of academics combined with rigorous physical training. Participation in the FBI National Academy requires a significant commitment by the attendee and his/her family, as the facilities are in Quantico, Virginia.
Chief James M. Murphy & J. Edgar Hoover / Det. Sgt. William G. Brooks & Louis Freeh
Click on the Thumbnails