Police Chief Connolly Recognized For Service

The City Council this week expressed appreciation to retiring Police Chief Thomas P. Connolly, Jr. for his 14 years of service to the City.

At the Council’s meeting on July 20, Mayor Anne-Marie Mastraccio read a proclamation recognizing Chief Connolly for his 41 years in law enforcement. After serving in the military for six years, he was a US Capitol Police Officer for two years, and worked for the Prince George’s County Police Department in Maryland for 25 years. He received a total of more than 50 awards, certificates, letters of commendation and appreciation in his career, including the Award of Merit in 1994 and the Silver Medal of Valor in 2004. He has been Police Chief in Sanford since 2007.

Chief Connolly was recognized for overseeing the construction of the new police station, and for championing the community-based policing model in Sanford. His passion for employing evidence-based treatment for opioid use led to the publication of a 14-page informational booklet he authored, with answers to common questions about heroin use and abuse. The Council congratulated him on a job well done and wished him a very happy retirement. He received a standing ovation from the Council as well as from members of the public and the Police Department. Mayor Mastracchio presented him with a gift.

Councilor/State Representative John Tuttle also presented Chief Connolly with a resolution from the Maine State Legislature commending him on his years of dedicated service. Councilor Tuttle called him a friend and an ally, saying, “I remember where we were before you came on board, and we really needed a change…the changes you made to our community are going to be long lasting.”

Chief Connolly and his wife Donna plan to retire to Florida.