Grafton Police Department Photo & Historical Archive

In the early days, Grafton Law Enforcement was the job of the deputy sheriffs and constables. In 1736 there were two constables. The number of constables increased to seven in 1879. In later years, the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen also carried the tile of Chief of Police.

The Grafton Police Department began with a “call” or “special” police officer force, becoming a “regular” / full-time department in 1960 with three full time officers. At first, radios were installed in personal vehicles.

The first dispatch office was located in the Town Hall at the Grafton Common. Dispatch was later moved to the Center Fire Station on Worcester Street. During off-hours, dispatching for many years was provided by Eileen Gately from her North Grafton home. The photo below shows Grafton’s second Chief of Police, Henry J. McNamara, Jr. with the first four, full time, regular patrolman in front of Grafton Fire Station 1 at 3 Worcester Street, where dispatch and the police department operated out of in the early days.

Left to Right: Valmore Mathieu, James Kearnan, Chief Henry J. McNamara, Jr., Edward Gendron, Roger Porter

The first Grafton Police cruiser was a 1956 Ford sedan purchased at the cost of $1960.00. In 1958 the police department purchased a station wagon cruiser / ambulance. Throughout the years the department cruisers have changed in style, size and colors.

November 15, 1971 the police department moved to the new stand alone police station located at 26 Providence Road.

In 2006, Grafton Police moved to a new police station at 28 Providence Road, right next to the old station.

Grafton Police Chiefs Through the Years

Chief Henry J. McNamara, Sr. – 1943-1958 Grafton’s first Chief of Police/

Chief Henry J. McNamara, Jr. – (1958-1979) succeeding his father to the position of Chief of Police. He served until his untimely death at age 49 in 1979. In 1971, Grafton’s first permanent police headquarters was built at 26 Providence Road.