'He Was The People's Chief': Saying Goodbye To Chief O'Loughlin

MILFORD, MA — It was a bittersweet day for many Milfordians, as a sizable crowd met Chief Thomas O'Loughlin on the steps of the police station, to bid him farewell. O'Loughlin's term as chief has come to a close after a controversial 2-1 Board of Selectmen vote decided not to renew his contract. The tension and anger over the decision still lingered with many people in the crowd and was evident in the whispers and passionate cheers they offered as O'Loughlin made his way out.

Serving as chief for 17 years, O'Loughlin has grown deep roots in the town, evident in the speakers who praised his efforts over the years, and the prideful crowd that stood in front of him. O'Loughlin himself said he came from the outside and created a family and network in the town. "I love this town," he said, "I'm not going anywhere."

For many of the residents who gathered to show support, O'Loughlin became an integral part of their lives as well. Rachel Largey has lived in Milford all her life and said O'Loughlin was the best chief she's seen in her 70 years. With a son-in-law on the force in Milford, Largey has a special connection to the department. "I'm really heartbroken," she said, "But God has other plans for him."

Largey, like many others in the crowd, had a bitter taste in her mouth as many did not want to see the chief go. Entire Facebook pages were created in the past year in an effort to keep O'Loughlin in command. Outside of social media, the chief took his battle to stay in power to the courts, filing several lawsuits and complaints against the Board of Selectmen and the town, including a discrimination lawsuit.

The Board of Selectmen's 2-1 vote not to renew O'Loughlin's contract was mirrored in the board's recent vote to appoint retired Milford police Sgt. Michael Pighetti to interim chief. O'Loughlin and Selectman Walsh pushed for Assistant Chief James Falvey to fill the position but board members William Kingkade and William Buckley voted in favor of Pighetti.

It seemed each person in the crowd had a personal story of how O'Loughlin appeared in their lives. Linda Slattery said her connection with the chief came after she had brain surgery and lost part of her memory. "I had a tendency to wander and he and his men were on the lookout for me," Slattery said, "It's so personal, right down to the level of one citizen."

Residents weren't the only ones sharing their cherished memories of O'Loughlin — a line of speakers took to the podium, including Board of Selectman member Michael Walsh, Representative Brian Murray and Assistant Chief James Falvey. Among the many achievements cited by the speakers, one stood out — O'Loughlin's dedication to handling the opioid crisis in town with treatment and compassion, rather than incarceration.

For Amanda Desmond, his work to curb the opioid epidemic hit home. "He's saved my life and my family's life more than enough times," Desmond said. She just lost her cousin to an opioid addiction a few weeks ago and while the pain is still fresh, Desmond said O'Loughlin was there for her and her family. "Chief O'Loughlin came to the wake and he and the department knew my cousin well — I just want to say thank you."

The cheerful crowd took O'Loughlin by surprise, he said. "I work for these folks, so for them to acknowledge me for working for them ... I was surprised" he said, wearing a grin ear to ear. O'Loughlin reiterated his catchphrase to the crowd "This is the best day of the rest of my life," and joked that he would still only be a phone call away, chief or not. He thanked the department and community for coming to his side with support and care and allowing him to serve all these years.

When asked whether he might find himself running for Board of Selectmen, as many Milfordians have rumored, O'Loughlin said, "I think it's maybe too early, but we'll see." Until then, he plans to go back to practicing law with his partner in town and spending more time with his family and granddaughter.

"I don't walk away from here with a heavy heart," O'Loughlin said, "I walk away knowing that we rebuilt this police department — it's literally one of the best police departments in the state."