This Day in Norwood History-April 19, 1946-Sgt Lydon Appointed Chief of Police Department

Sergeant Thomas Lydon has been appointed Chief Norwood Police Department to succeed Chief William H Sullivan, effective June 1, it was announced this morning by Manager Francis W. Smith.

The appointment by the General Manager of the new chief received the unanimous approval of the Board of Selectmen last night.

Sgt. Lydon, who will give up his Civil Service rating to become head of the Norwood department, is expected to assume his new duties about May 15 as acting chief, enabling him to become oriented to the routine of his new position Chief Sullivan will retire June 1 in accordance with recent legislation which makes it mandatory for all municipal employees who had reached retirement age but who had been retained in their positions under the war emergency act, to relinquish their positions by that date.

The appointment of the new chief was made by Smith in accordance with the provisions of the Town Charter, which provides that the manager shall have control over the police department, subject to the direction of the Selectmen.

The position of chief of police carries a basic salary of $3.400. Last year an additional $400 was provided through adiuMcd compensation granted to all town employees. This year a $200 wage increase and S200 in adjusted compensation is being recommended which would be retroactive to the first of the year.

NORWOOD NATIVE

Thomas Coleman Lydon was born in Norwood 60 years ago and has made his home here all his life. He attended the public schools of the town.

He received his appointment to the Norwood Police Department as a special officer in 1915, and two years later was made a permanent officer. He was elevated to the rank of sergeant in 1932.

As a police officer. Sgt. Lydon has amassed a commendable record of crime detection and prevention. In 1932 he conducted the investigation of the atrocious Keras murder case in which a nine-year-old girl was raped and murdered by one Osman, a man in his late 30’s. Lydon made the arrest and prosecuted the détendant, who was later found guilty and electrocuted.

Other notable achievements of the new chief include the arrest in Norwood of a former Norwood man living in Canton in connection with the assault of a minister’s daughter in Hyde Park. Sgt. Lydon was also pickpockets who were victimizing patrons of a VFW carnival in 1932. The three were later sentenced to 18 months each.

Sgt Lydon’s education experience and training record Include a certificate for a course given in 1941 by the Federal Bureau of Investigation on National Defense as it affects police departments: two standard Red Cross courses, one ln 1928 and the other in 1938. a course on police procedure and criminal law in 1931 training in fingerprinting and field driving, and a permit as a radiotelephone operator. He passed the Civil Service examination for a police lieutenant with the mark of 91.40.

FOUR CHILDREN

Sgt. Lydon is married and the family home is at 188 Prospect street. The couple have one daughter, Mrs. Francis Johnson of Arlington, VA, and three sons; Thomas S. Lydon, of Millis, who is credit manager for the Herman Shoe Co.. Martin J Lydon, a veteran of the Eighth Air Force who was reported missing in action and landed safely in Switzerland, and who is now married and living in Norwood and Daniel J Lydon, who is employed by Winslow Bros, and Smith Co. There are four grandchildren.

Prior to joining the Police Department, Sgt. Lydon was employed for six years by the N Y.. N H & Hartford Railroad at the Readvillc Carshops, and previous to that worked for Winslow Bros, and Smith.