Great Barrington — In this day and age, very few people can say they’ve had the same employer for 40 years, to say nothing of the same job. But that’s essentially what Bill Walsh has done, working as Great Barrington’s police chief for 37 years after serving three years as an officer.
As Walsh promised back in May, when he submitted a letter to the selectboard, he’ll retire effective Dec. 24, 2020, on his 65th birthday. State law requires police, firefighters, and corrections officers in Massachusetts to retire at no later than age 65.
Taking the helm as interim chief will be Sgt. Paul Storti, himself a 31-year veteran of the department. Town officials say the search for a new police chief has been underway since early fall, with a volunteer Police Chief Search Committee screening initial applicants. The process is now entering its final phase, with three finalist candidates to be invited for interviews with Town Manager Mark Pruhenski, who will have the final call.
“It’s kind of a bittersweet moment,” selectboard chair Steve Bannon said at Monday night’s board meeting. “I want to personally thank the chief for all he has done for the town and wish him good luck, good health, and much rest in his retirement.” Bannon also read a statement praising Walsh for his “strong leadership and quiet but forceful personality.”
On July 1, 1983, 27-year-old Officer William Walsh, then only a three-year veteran of the Great Barrington Police Department, became Chief Walsh, the youngest person at the helm in the town’s history, and started a career as a leader in law enforcement that has won him the respect of friend and foe alike.
“I loved every minute of being a police officer in my hometown for the past 40 years,” Walsh told the board. “Serving as the Chief of Police of the Great Barrington Police Department has been the greatest honor of my professional life.”
In a prepared statement, Walsh also had high praise for his officers and civilian staff:
“I am extremely proud of the progress and accomplishments the officers, our civilian staff, and I have made together. The Great Barrington Police Department is composed of some of the best law enforcement and civilian personnel in the state and I leave with the privilege of having worked alongside all of them.”
And of course, there is his family:
“I am deeply indebted to my wife Cathy, and children Brittany, Matthew, and Michael. And my late parents and my entire family. I was only able to do all of this for so long because of all of you.”
Walsh also cited what he called “concrete steps to enhance the department’s responsiveness,” including more transparency and accountability to the public, 21st Century Policing ideas, police reform, and “so many other initiatives.”
Walsh and administrative assistant Cara Becker also led the department through a process, four years ago, that resulted in Great Barrington having the first police department in Berkshire County to become accredited by the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission.
Bannon read a proclamation from the state House of Representatives. It was signed by Speaker Robert A. DeLeo and Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli, D-Lenox, who represents Great Barrington at the State House. In addition, another proclamation of appreciation, signed by Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, was held aloft and read.
Over the course of his long career, Walsh was confronted with natural disasters, including the deadly Memorial Day tornado that ripped through the town in 1995, killing three people. And there was a string of tragedies. To wit, the accidental drowning death of five-year-old Shirley Palmer, who fell into the ice-covered Housatonic River in January 2000.
Walsh also led the department during the local investigation into the fatal mass shooting at Simon’s Rock in December 1992 and the murder of Clinton A.M.E. Church pastor Esther Dozier by her husband in 2007. The chief has also had to address allegations of wrongdoing in his own department.
“When folks ask me about how the police department is in Great Barrington, I’m very proud to say it’s a very, very supportive organization and group of officers,” said selectboard member Leigh Davis.
“All the members of the Great Barrington Police Department want to thank Chief Walsh for his leadership over the years,” said Storti. “He has led the department with honor, integrity, and a passion second to none. We all wish him the best in this new chapter of his life.”
“In closing, I am incredibly grateful for the honor and privilege to have served as Great Barrington’s chief of police,” said Walsh. “May God bless our town and may God bless the Great Barrington Police Department.”
