Michael Grace Named Foxborough Police Chief

FOXBOROUGH, MA — A Foxborough High graduate, who joined the local police department 20 years ago, was selected as the town's next police chief. Lt. Michael Grace replaces Chief William Baker, who announced last April that we would retire in October.

Town Manager William Keegan announced the selection at Tuesday's Board of Selectmen meeting. Keegan has the sole authority to appoint department heads. His choice came down to two finalists: Grace and Lt. Richard Noonan.

Keegan said the choice was difficult because both candidates were qualified and would make great police chiefs. He said in many ways the department has two chiefs, but one person emerged as the top option.

"I am very grateful to both candidates who did an outstanding job throughout this process," Keegan said. "This was a very difficult choice. We are fortunate in this community to have two excellent candidates for this position."

Grace received an ovation as Keegan selected him, but he didn't give the credit to just himself. He thanked Noonan, the other officers in the department and Selectman and former Police Chief Edward O'Leary for helping him to get where he is now.

"It's an honor, I sit here today at the beginning of a journey that started many years ago ...," Grace said. "He (O'Leary) gave me a wonderful opportunity to serve this community as a patrol officer. It was one of the most special moments of my career and my life ... Today I sit here as your new police chief but I sit here because of the members of my team called the Foxborough Police Department ... I look forward to leading that team for many years in the future."