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Many thanks to the Holden Historical Society for their contributions to this page.
 
Timeline of Significant Events & Milestones in HPD History
18th Century
1741
 Town of Holden founded.
1741
 Earthquake hits the area on November 15th.
 
19th Century
1818
 Founding of the Holden Thief Detecting Society.
1829
 Founding of the first Temperance Society in Holden.
1871
 Cyclone hits the area on June 11th.
1885
 Construction of jail in Jefferson (demolished, 1948).
1886
 First telephone connected the Jefferson Mill to the railroad station.
1888
 Great blizzard of 1888 (March 12th).
1892
 $500 appropriated to construct lock-up facility on North Main Street .
1897
 One or two "Special Police" officers are appointed each year through 1911, also called "Keeper of the Lockup".
   
20th Century
1906
 Construction of two fire houses, one in Jefferson on Princeton Street, the other behind the Town Hall.
1912
 "Special Police" force is increased from one or two officers to between four and nine officers, depending on road construction.
1918
 Loring W. Hubbard is appointed the first recorded Holden Chief of Police on July 1st. His force consists of 8 Special Police officers.
1922
 Frank L. Niles replaces Hubbard as Chief of Police.
1923

Ernest E. Bennett replaces Niles as Chief of Police.
1924
 Construction of the State Police Barracks on Main Street.
1925
 Frank K. Packard replaces Bennett as Chief of Police and remains in the position for 17 years.
1928
 Arrests rise from 37 (in 1927) to 65 due to the arrival of construction workers building a new state road. (See Statistics for more info like this).
1935
 Northern Worcester County Police Association is established, the first form of formal police training for Holden officers.
  Chief Packard cracks down on motorists following fire trucks.
1936
 HPD investigates door-to-door salesmen, including fruit and vegetable peddlers who were "not as courteous as they should be".
  Due to citizen complaints (especially on Main Street), HPD makes recommendations to the Registry that licenses be suspended for speeding.
1937
 Several store breaks occur, and two stolen cars are recovered in town.
1938
 Holden experiences an increase in breaks and robberies, including one a Superior Court Judge called "one of the most vicious" he had ever heard of. This proves the need for a full-time officer.
  September 21st hurricane results in an increase in traffic duty.
  The newly installed traffic light at the intersection of Highland and Main is meant to control speed, but is largely ignored by drivers.
1940
 Local community celebrations on the Fourth of July and Halloween help reduce fires and mischief.
  Officers are required to perform more traffic duty in winter to protect children sledding.
1943
 First scheduled patrol duties begin, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights from dusk until 1:00 a.m. Officers rely on a blue light mounted in the center of town to know when they were needed.
1944
 Wallace B. McInnis replaces Packard as Chief of Police.
1948
 The late-19th century town lockup facility is razed on May 11th.
1949
 HPD acquires new headquarters when the Damon House is purchased by the Town for $22,000.
1953
 On June 9th, 94 people are killed (9 in Holden) when an F4 tornado touches down in Central Massachusetts. Hardest hit areas of Holden included the "Winthrop Oaks" and Brentwood neighborhoods, as well as the Colonial Drive/Mayflower Circle area. Click here for more info about the '53 tornado.
1954
 February 7th sees the installation of police phones at the Police Station, Chief McInnis' home, and the homes of Officers Blum and Hale, providing 24-hour service to residents.
  On May 5th, the first HPD cruiser is put into service. Prior to this, officers used their private vehicles. Also on this day, our first 2-way radio system was installed - a base station and two mobile units.
1965
 First full-time officers are assigned to duty.
  On Thursday, October 21st at approximately 9:30 a.m., the Worcester County National Bank branch on Main Street is robbed of $108,000. Click here for bank robbery logs.
1966
 James S. Oliver replaces McInnis as Chief of Police.
  Town Meeting votes to accept Civil Service standards for hiring patrolmen.
  Traffic citations increase by 800 for the year (as a result of No-Fix Tickets).
1967
 HPD conducts it's first drug raid, on June 30th of this year.
  Beginning in November, a one-night-per-week fitness program is instituted for officers.
1968
 In July, HPD begins using radar to deter speeding.
1969
 24-hour dispatch service opens, on January 1st.
1972
 December 27th markes the first fatal pedestrian accident in Holden since 1956.
1978
 Blizzard of '78 hits on February 7th.
1979
 Speed limits on Route 31 South and Salisbury Street are lowered.
  Chief Oliver retires on June 30th, replaced by Acting Chief Roger G. Lindfors.
1980
 Charles R. Hicks replaces Lindfors as Chief of Police.
  "Child Molester Program" is requested for elementary schools, and neighborhood "Crime Watch Program" is initiated.
1984
 "Winter Safety Program" is developed.
1985
 Due to the rise in serious crimes and motor vehicle accidents, an additional patrolman is requested in order to reduce response time.
1986
 Police response time decreases due to additional patrolman.
1987
 The Worcester County Breaking and Entering Task Force" is formed. A decrease in housebreaks and larcenies results, in addition to the recovery of well over $250,000 in stolen goods.
1988
 Service calls rise by 103%, many of which relate to violent crimes and domestic violence.
1989
 Six persons are arrested and charged, in 18 breaking and entering cases.
1991
 Two cases of scams against the elderly are confirmed.
  HPD conducts two major missing person searches.
  An attempted murder occurs in Holden.
1992
 A nearly 95% increase in housebreaks is attributed to overcrowding at the Worcester County House of Correction, where inmates' early release promotes recidivism.
  December 31st marks Holden's 20th consecutive year without a pedestrian fatality.
  HPD runs their first Civilian Police Academy.
  A murder occurs in Holden.
1993
 Local 6th graders complete Holden's first D.A.R.E. program, targeting an increasing drug problem among young people.
1994
 On February 1st, Chief Robert J. Mortell of Paxton is killed in the line of duty while responding to housebreaks in Holden. This great loss is a tragic reminder of the dangers police officers are faced with every day.
1994
 Community policing programs become a key priority of HPD.
  Four murders occur in Holden.
1995
 One fatal traffic accident and a murder occur in Holden.
1996
 Holden PD detectives, along with NESPIN and WCBETF, conduct an undercover storefront sting operation to attempt to buy back stolen property.
  Two fatal accidents are reported.
1997
 HPD runs a 5 week Student Police Academy at WRHS and begins designing a 2-year Criminal Justice program for Juniors and Seniors, and a D.A.R.E. officer begins working 2 full days a week at the High School.
1998
 Chief George R. Sherrill takes the helm at HPD, as a result of Chief Hicks' retirement.
  Our first website at holdenpd.com goes live.
  The Adopt-a-School Program is initiated, assigning a police officer to each elementary school in Holden.
  July 10th, Officers Carey and Annunziata arrest a 41-year old sex offender who traveled from Michigan to initiate sex with a 16 year old Holden resident he had met on the Internet.
  Detectives solve a WRHS breaking and entering case with $9,000 in property damage. Three persons are arrested, prosecuted, and ordered to pay restitution.
1999
 Road construction results in a decrease in traffic accidents and an increase in citations.
   
21st Century
2000
 Two fatal traffic accidents are reported in Holden.
  Police vehicles are equipped with laptops, defibrillators, Web Shot nets, beanbag rounds, and spike strips.
  HPD becomes the first smoke-free department in the nation.
  Officer Exchange Program allows Holden officers to work one-week shifts on patrol in Oak Bluffs on Martha's Vineyard. In return, some of their officers work here.
2001
 HPD is recognized and awarded for officer exchange program, community policing efforts, and traffic safety.
  28th consecutive year with no pedestrian fatalities.
2002
 Quality Check Program is initiated to monitor citizen response to interactions with HPD.
  In January, five households are victims of nighttime home invasions committed by Worcester gang members for initiation purposes. After a dangerous pursuit, Holden officers apprehend the gang members within two weeks.
  In December, the Department acquires a new radio communication system, increasing quality and range.
  In October, Chief Sherrill is asked by Col. Foley of the Mass. State Police to serve on the board of NESPIN.
  AAA recognizes Holden for 29 consecutive years without a pedestrian fatality.
  Theft cases are on the rise due to Internet-related scams and crime.
2003
 Housebreaks decline from 22 in 2002 to just 10 in 2003.
  In April, HPD is approved by the Massachusetts Accreditation Commission, one of only 11 other departments in the state to reach this level.
  In June, officers are involved in an intensive, week-long murder/suicide investigation.
  In October, officers safely disarm a WRHS student in possession of a loaded firearm on school grounds.
  HPD links to the nationwide LOCATER system to assist with missing child cases.
  The Criminal Justice program at WRHS expands to include Forensics, with the cooperation of chemistry teacher Lynn Fantelli.
  A drug raid on Laurelwood Avenue results in 10 arrests, 2 of which are Laurelwood residents.
2004
 Sunday, February 1st marks the 10th anniversary of the death of Paxton's Chief Robert Mortell. Route 31 near the site of the shooting is closed down for an hour for a dedication ceremony.
  As part of the officer exchange program, Holden officers travel to Laconia, NH to help with motorcycle week patrols.
  A $11.7 million public safety building proposal is rejected by town residents.
  A Princeton woman, attempting to hire someone to murder her husband, is arrested during a sting operation involving Holden and State officers.
  A Connecticut man is arrested for a $100,000 robbery, the largest in Holden history.
2005
 On July 29th, two Worcester teens die in a fiery crash on Doyle Road involving a Mobil gas tanker. Investigation reveals the youths ran a stop sign at high speed after vandalizing vehicles with the burnt BB gun found in their car.
  HPD's wellness program gains national attention in the July issue of American Police Beat magazine.
  HPD investigates and arrests Jason F. Smith, an Australian conman with a lengthy history of scamming; he later hangs himself in prison.
  74 5th grade students from Davis Hill Elementary School participate in the First Annual Holden Police Department Holiday Card Contest.
2006
 A credit card "skimming" operation at a local restaurant results in $100,000 in fraudulent charges on residents' credit cards.
  A serval - an exotic spotted African cat - is seized from a Holden apartment.
  Holden PD and West Boylston PD cooperate to step up bicycle patrols on the popular Rail Trail.
  Holden PD and local schools enhance emergency procedures and conduct lockdown drills.
  HPD responds to an E911 call from a resident who has just attempted to murder his wife in their home.
2007
 Holden Police Department achieves Certification, awarded by the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission - the 16th department in the state to do so.
  New computer technology in the form of cross-agency records checks, a searchable pawn shop utility and other intelligence databases continues to enhance law enforcement efforts in Holden and surrounding towns.
  December 2006 attempted murder victim dies in the hospital. Her husband, held on $100,000 bail, is subsequently charged with murder in September.
  In May, residents vote down a proposed sex offender bylaw which would have restricted where registered sex offenders could live within the town.
 

In June, HPD implements the enhanced VESTA E911 system, allowing cell phone callers' location to be accurately tracked.
  Due to a multijurisdictional effort and the use of GPS technology, Michael Dreslinski and John Rousseau of Clinton are arrested in relation to a string of arson fires in the Wachusett area and beyond.
  School opens to phone threats from an employee's relative at the Mayo Elementary School. The suspect is arrested and held in Texas.
  Following two months of investigation, the Regional B&E Task Force successfully solves a string of car breaks at recreational areas.
  On December 27th, Chief George R. Sherrill accepts a $500K grant from the federal government, earmarked for technology and communications equipment when a new facility is approved and built.
   
 
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