Just in time for the New Year, the Town of Marion’s tenth police chief was sworn in on December 28.
Thirty-one-year veteran of the Marion Police Department, Lieutenant John B. Garcia, replaces Chief Lincoln Miller effective December 31.
Becoming police chief, Garcia said after the swearing-in ceremony, “is the pinnacle of any law enforcement officer’s career.”
Garcia thanked his family, saying, “As any relative of a police officer knows … you’re missing birthdays, holidays, special occasions, getting calls to get up in the middle of the night, and to have the support of your family is everything.”
He also thanked the Board of Selectmen for choosing him and for choosing to hire within the department. Singling out Chairman Jody Dickerson, Garcia told the many assembled – including the police chiefs from neighboring police departments including Fairhaven, Mattapoisett, and New Bedford – that Dickerson was the first officer he rode with back in 1986 when he first joined the department.
Dickerson also led the organization of Garcia’s swearing-in ceremony that night. The two are also ‘Revolutionary War’ buddies in the Fairhaven Village Militia encampment group, in which Garcia is the faithful tinsmith.
“How fortunate I am to be working with the people that I do work with,” said Garcia. “We really do have a great group of people. It’s an honor to serve with you and it certainly makes my job better.”
Garcia said he chose the career of a police officer because he knew he wanted to serve his community, “And I knew I wanted to do something that would change the world.”
His first position was a part-time special officer appointed to the old Lincoln Park in Dartmouth on the Dartmouth Police Department.
Departing Chief Miller had these words of wisdom for Garcia:
“Always give one hundred percent to the job, but never take your work home with you. Be sure to pursue your outside interests,” said Miller, because having a life outside the job is the secret to loving your job.
By Jean Perry
