Nelson E. “Sonny” Barner Named Head of MDC Police-June 14, 1985

Former Norwood Milkman Appointed Superintendent of Metropolitan Law Enforcement Agency

Nelson E. “Sonny” Barner, a former milkman who worked his way up through the ranks of the Metropolitan Police, has been appointed superintendent of the 609-member law enforcement agency, effective August 1. Barner, 48, of Norwood, has served as deputy superintendent of the force for the past two years. He will replace Superintendent Thomas E. Keough of Marshfield, who is retiring from the department.

The appointment coincides with a significant academic milestone for the incoming superintendent. Barner will receive his bachelor’s degree in law enforcement from Northeastern University this Sunday, an achievement that will make him eligible for a 20 percent salary increase under existing educational incentive guidelines. The Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) announced today that Barner will earn an annual salary between $40,000 and $45,000 in his new executive leadership role.

Keough, 57, who served as superintendent for two years, nearly retired last February after coming under intense public criticism. The controversy stemmed from his decision approving an electronic sweep of the State House office of former state Representative Vincent Piro (D-Somerville). Piro had been the target of a federal corruption investigation but was later acquitted of the charges.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger