Thomas G Griffiths

Boston Police Department - Retired March 31, 2022 after 30 years.

After Tom’s brother Sherman, a 6 year veteran of the Boston Police Department, was shot and killed in the line of duty in 1988, Tom founded the East Coast Law Enforcement Run. The run was established to raise money and awareness for the, yet to be built, National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington DC. Approximately $160,000 was raised for the memorial in 2 years and law enforcement from as many as 15 local, state and federal agencies participated.

In 1993, Tom, along with 3 of his other brothers joined the ranks of the Boston Police Department honoring their brother Sherman. They joined their brother Bill who was working the evening Sherman was shot and killed.Tom served as president for his academy class and graduated at the top of his class. In his 30 year career with the department, Tom worked in an anti-crime unit, a community policing unit, and a K9 unit. He developed an excellent rapport with the inner city community where he worked and was instrumental in the renovation of a broken down, derelict youth center. Tom, the former City of Boston Chief of Construction for Public Facilities, volunteered over 500 hours working with his tool belt instead of his gun belt. He enlisted 9 inmates in a work release program to assist him with the renovations. He also managed to raise over 80 thousand dollars from local vendors, the donations bought new furniture, computers and mobilized local contractors to donate their services for the renovations. The center in Franklin Field, one of Boston’s toughest neighborhoods, has become a safe, social hub for the at-risk youth who live in the area.

Tom has been the recipient of two Department Medal of Honors, 21 Commissioner Citations, numerous Community Awards. Chosen from over 200 applicants, Tom received a special honor, The Community Impact Rise Award in 2016. Tom received the Officer of The Month recognition from The National Law Enforcement Memorial in July of 1998 and was honored to participate in the groundbreaking ceremony of the Memorial in 2010, where he was a speaker at the groundbreaking gala the same evening.

After attending National Police Week in Washington DC for more than 25 years, in 2016, Tom was honored to attend the yearly National Police Week ceremonies with his son TJ who joined the ranks of the law enforcement community that year. A dedicated family man, Tom has been proud to participate in the events of Police Week with his family over the years.

Dedicating his life to Law Enforcement and the reputation of this community has been his goal and being a member of the Citizens Behind the Badge advisory committee will be an honor.