Town Grinds to a Halt as Norwood Mourns Late Police Chief
In an unprecedented display of community-wide respect, the commercial center of Norwood came to a complete standstill on Saturday afternoon as hundreds gathered to bid a final farewell to late Police Chief Harry W. Swift.
A Town Stands Still for a Beloved Chief
As funeral services were held at the local Baptist church, businesses along Washington Street locked their doors and drew their curtains for approximately two hours, transforming the bustling business district into a reverent, Sabbath-like hush where townspeople spoke only in hushed tones.
The church was packed to capacity with citizens of all faiths, nationalities, and walks of life, while the entire front of the sanctuary was banked with floral tributes, prominently featuring large arrangements from the police department, fire department, and town officials.
Touching Tributes and Masonic Rites
The service featured deeply moving eulogies and tributes:
- Rev. W.D. Goble: The former pastor of the Baptist church in Middleboro and an intimate friend who knew Chief Swift during his early years in Middleboro delivered a eulogy described as “beautiful in its simplicity, touching in its intimacy,” praising Swift as a man loyal to his ideals, faithful to his duty, and sympathetic toward the erring.
- Masonic Rites: The service was conducted under the ritual of the Masons, led by Worshipful Master Carroll H. Woods and Chaplain A.K. Parker, alongside a large turnout of members from Orient Lodge.
- Musical Tributes: Vocal selections were rendered by the Lotus Quartet of Boston, and the benediction was pronounced by local pastor Rev. J.C. Wilson.
Extensive Law Enforcement Delegation
Law enforcement agencies from across the region turned out in massive numbers to honor their fallen peer, led by a large delegation of Norfolk County police chiefs, including:
- Chief Shine (Dedham)
- Chief McKenzie (Needham)
- Chief Kingsbury (Wellesley)
- Chief Flood (Canton)
- Chief Pierce (Milton)
- Chief Rutherford and Ex-Chief Corey (Brookline)
- Chief Goodhue (Quincy)
- Chief Pratt (Weymouth)
- Chief James (Hingham)
- Chief Leonard (Walpole)
- Chief Hannaford (Westwood)
Serving as pallbearers were Officers Reid, Snow, and Lydon of the Norwood Police Department, alongside Walter Bagley, George A. Smith, and William Gilbert of Orient Lodge. Following the services, the funeral procession departed for burial in Middleboro, during which two minor traffic accidents were narrowly averted along the route between Bridgewater and Middleboro.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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