We salute Somerville Police Department Deputy Chief of Police Paul Upton as he begins his much-deserved retirement from the department.

Deputy Chief Upton proudly served the City of Somerville for three decades, achieving many great things and making a lot of friends and supporters along the way.

In his capacity as deputy chief, his duties included providing Support Services such as criminal investigations, drug control, gang interdiction, family services, criminal intelligence and Court liaison officers. Hands-on support with 911, emergency management, Emergency Operations Center, training, administration and Homeland Security operations were also ably provided by him.

We ourselves have benefited tremendously from Deputy Chief Upton’s thorough and conscientious performance as the Department’s Public Information Officer. We knew we could always count on getting straight information in a timely fashion with Upton at the helm.

The sacrifices and commitments that constitute a career in law enforcement should never be taken lightly by those in society who benefit from them the most. Deputy Chief Upton has gone the distance and leaves a legacy of excellence for others to aspire to.

We offer our thanks, as well as our admiration for a job well done, and wish him well as he undertakes the various pursuits that will engage him in the succeeding stages of his life.

Well done, sir. A grateful community wishes you the best.