From left to right, Stoughton Police Sgt. Cameron Williams stands together with his father, Sgt. Paul Williams, as both made history by becoming the first known father-son duo to serve as sergeants supervising a shift together for the Stoughton Police Department on Sunday. (Photo courtesy Stoughton Police Department)
STOUGHTON — Chief Donna McNamara and the Stoughton Police Department are pleased to announce that two of its police sergeants recently made department history by becoming the first known father-son duo to supervise a shift together in service to their hometown.
Stoughton Police Sgt. Paul Williams, a 29-year veteran of the department, led the 4 p.m. through midnight shift on Sunday, Dec. 1, together with his son, Sgt. Cameron Williams, a licensed paramedic who’s been a police officer for the Town for the past 5 years and became a ranking officer in July 2023.
“It’s a proud moment,” said Sgt. Paul Williams, a Stoughton native. “It’s the highlight of my career. I couldn’t be more proud as a father. It’s awesome. I’m beside myself.”
The two are also both scheduled to lead another 4 p.m. through midnight shift today, with Sgt. Cameron Williams expected to run the roll call, after his security duties at the New England Patriots game prevented him from doing so on Sunday.
“He’ll be addressing and assigning the shift, and we’ll go over what happened over the weekend, and all the things to keep an eye on,” Sgt. Paul Williams said. “I can sit there and crack jokes at him.”
On a serious note, Sgt. Paul Williams said he just wishes his son will continue to serve the Town honorably.
“I’m just hoping that he does it for all the right reasons,” said Sgt. Paul Williams, an Army veteran who spent three years stationed in Germany during the Gulf War. “He’s a very intelligent kid. He’s an old soul. Everyone who meets him thinks the same thing about him.”
For Sgt. Cameron Williams, the journey to becoming a ranking officer for his hometown police department alongside his father wasn’t straightforward. Originally, he was trying to become a firefighter, but as a solid fallback plan, he took the state’s civil service exam to become a police officer.
“My dad said, ‘Take the test, you might like the job,’” Sgt. Cameron Williams said. “I took the job, and I’ve loved it since the first day. The job is what you make of it, to a certain extent. But I didn’t know I’d love it as much as I do. I haven’t wanted to jump over to the fire side because I love my job so much.”
Sgt. Cameron Williams said he learned a little about policing from his father while growing up in Stoughton but then had the opportunity to learn from him up close as a patrolman.
“Now, alongside him, is an even better learning experience,” said Sgt. Cameron Williams, who is now 29 years old. “Every day is different. You really have a hand in so many different things. And you really have an opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives. I know it’s corny to say you did it to help people, but I wouldn’t do it without that satisfaction of helping people.”
Law enforcement runs in the family, as Sgt. Paul Williams said his oldest son, William Maloney, also became a patrolman in Halifax last year. Sgt. Paul Williams credited his wife, Susan Williams, for her strong support of the police officers in the family.
“I feel like I hit the lottery by having two great parents, and I feel like I’ve hit the lottery again being able to work alongside one of them,” Sgt. Cameron Williams said.
The Sunday night shift for the Stoughton Police Department turned out to be very busy for the sergeants, with multiple arrests and an investigation that required detective assistance.
As he nears retirement age, 54-year-old Sgt. Paul Williams said he’s grateful to see firsthand how his son is following in his footsteps.
“I’m very proud of my son,” Sgt. Paul Williams said. “I couldn’t be more proud as a father. He’s going to do a fabulous job.”
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