BEDFORD — Chief Robert Bongiorno is pleased to share that a longtime member of the department, Lt. James Graham, will retire this week.
Lt. Graham has served the Town of Bedford for over 30 years, joining the department as a full-time patrol officer in 1990 after a three-year stint as a reserve officer in Tewksbury.
In 1998, Graham was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and in 2005 earned the rank of Lieutenant. During his time with the Bedford Police Department, Lt. Graham has had numerous responsibilities, including working as the department’s Accreditation Manager — helping it earn accreditation from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission in 2017. Accreditation is a reflection of the department’s commitment to adhering to hundreds of industry standards.
Additionally, Lt. Graham has played an instrumental role in the department’s community policing efforts and outreach initiatives, including the autism patch fundraiser, twice yearly Drug Take Back Days and the department’s internet transaction safe zone.
Graham has also served as Bedford’s Crime Prevention Officer.
“Jim has made a huge impact on our department and we are all grateful for his decades of service to the people of Bedford,” Chief Bongiorno said. “He has a lot to be proud of, and while we will all miss him, we wish him the very best in this next chapter of his life.”
Graham’s retirement begins tomorrow, June 4, and he plans to spend time with his family, including his wife, children and grandchildren, and travel around the United States.
###