Amesbury Police Department (OFFICIAL)

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Amesbury Police Department (OFFICIAL)

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Official page of the Amesbury Police Department. A State Accredited law enforcement agency. You may remain anonymous if you wish.

The Amesbury Police Department is dedicated to providing the highest level of service to the community by maintaining and enhancing public safety with our commitment to the protection of life and property, the preservation of peace, and the protection of individual rights and liberties. We emphasize integrity, honesty, impartiality, and professionalism from our members. The Amesbury Police Department is further committed to work tirelessly with our citizens in a cooperative effort to assure a secure community by reducing the fear of crime and promoting new and innovative programs for the welfare and safety of all who live, work, and visit the Town of Amesbury. Terms and Conditions of Use for the Amesbury Police Department

By posting or commenting on any social media platform used by the Amesbury Police Department, you participate by your own choice, taking personal responsibility for your comments, your username, and any information you provide therein. When applicable, the department uses platform provided content moderation/filtering options to limit foul or obscene content. The Amesbury Police Department does actively monitor the social media platforms used by the department, and will remove inappropriate content as defined below, without prior notice, and as soon as possible. The Amesbury Police Department reserves the right to deny access to deny access to any Amesbury Police Department social media sites for any individual, who violates the Amesbury Police Department’s Social Media Terms and Conditions of Use, at any time and without prior notice. This material may include, but is not limited to:

• Comments not related to the original topic, including random unintelligible comments.
• Profane, obscene, or pornographic content and/or language.
• Content that promotes, fosters, or perpetuates discrimination based on race, creed, color, age, religion,
gender, or national origin.
• Defamatory or personal attacks.
• Threats to any person or organization.
• Comments in support of, or in opposition to, any political campaigns or ballot measures.
• Solicitation of commerce, including but not limited to advertising of any business or product for sale.
• Conduct in violation of any federal, state, or local law.
• Encouragement of illegal activity.
• Information that may tend to compromise the safety or security of the public or public systems.
• Content that violates a legal ownership interest, such as a copyright, of any party.
• Harassment or content which constitutes and/or facilitates stalking.
• Content which violates the right to privacy.
• Encouragement of violence.
• Repetitive content.
• Comments which may reasonably interfere with, inhibit, or compromise law enforcement investigations, police
tactics, police responses to incidents and/or the safety of police staff and officers.
• Posts or comments that contain any external links. You further agree to the following terms of use: The Amesbury Police Department maintains a social media program for the purpose of engaging and interacting with our community, providing relevant and timely community news, providing information and events, distribution of crime prevention and public safety tips, problem solving and investigations, and urgent notifications of critical incidents which may affect residents, business owners or visitors of the City of Amesbury, MA. The posting of requests for police assistance, regardless if it is of an emergency or non-emergency nature, is discouraged and will not guarantee a response by the Amesbury Police Department or any emergency service provider. In case of an emergency, or if police assistance is needed, please dial 911. If you wish to report a crime or information relevant to a crime, please call 978-388-1217.

11/05/2026

🚔 THROWBACK THURSDAY – AMESBURY POLICE DEPARTMENT, CIRCA 1953 🚔

This week's Throwback Thursday takes us back more than 70 years with this great photograph of the Amesbury Police Department, believed to have been taken around 1953.

If some of these names sound familiar, you may remember them from last week's Throwback Thursday! Officer/Chief Daniel J. Flynn and Chief Edmund J. McLaughlin were both featured in our look back at the department's history.

According to the original caption, the officers pictured are:

Back Row: Donald P. Lambert, J. Walsh McLaughlin, William J. Carroll, George E. Worthen, and Alfred J. Bergeron.

Front Row: Richard T. Ward, Donat A. Pouliot, Wilfred H. Parent, Daniel J. Flynn, Chief Edmund J. McLaughlin, J. Arthur Hartt, Amie J. Ouellette, Earl R. Tessimond, and Eugene W. Plunkett.

It's always interesting to look back at the men and women who helped shape the history of our department and served the Amesbury community long before us.

Do you recognize any of these officers or remember stories about them? We'd love to hear your memories and help preserve their place in Amesbury's history!

11/03/2026

The Amesbury Police Department is excited to announce our 21st Annual Fill-A-Cruiser Food Drive, benefiting our friends at Our Neighbors’ Table!

Since 2005, our community has come together to help neighbors in need, and we're hoping to continue that tradition this Thanksgiving season!

📅 Sunday, November 22, 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Super Stop & Shop
100 Macy Street (Route 110), Amesbury

🛒 WHAT CAN YOU DONATE?

Our Neighbors’ Table has identified several items that are especially needed this holiday season:

🍂 Thanksgiving Staples: Canned pumpkin, gravy, green beans, cranberry sauce, instant potatoes, and stuffing mix.

🥫 Ready-to-Eat Meals: Hearty soups, stews, chili, and other shelf-stable meals.

🥣 Baking & Pantry Supplies: Flour, sugar, baking mixes, cooking oils, condiments, and gluten-free foods.

🧴 Personal Care Items: Diapers (especially size 6), feminine hygiene products, incontinence supplies, liquid hand soap, and other personal care essentials.

💚 Monetary donations are also welcome! These contributions help Our Neighbors’ Table purchase fresh, perishable food each week.

Can't make it on November 22nd? Donations can be dropped off ahead of time at the Amesbury Police Department, 19 School Street.

Whether it's a single can of food or a bag full of groceries, every donation makes a difference.

Help us fill that cruiser and make this Thanksgiving a little brighter for our neighbors! ❤️

11/01/2026

Thank you for another great night Amesbury! Happy Halloween.

10/31/2026

When you show up for your morning coffee and the ladies behind the counter are dressed as their favorite customers! 👮‍♂️☕🎃

A big shoutout to the crew at Aroma Joe’s for always keeping us caffeinated and starting our mornings with a smile!

Happy Halloween! 🎃

10/29/2026

🚔 THROWBACK THURSDAY | 1957

This week’s Throwback Thursday comes to us from Mrs. Wright’s first-grade class at Bartlett School back in 1957, by way of our great friend Carol Bartlett!

This incredible piece of artwork was created by the students to thank longtime Amesbury Police Officer, and Chief of Police, Daniel J. Flynn for his retirement in 1957.

Thanks to historical Annual Reports made available online by our friends at the Amesbury Public Library, we were able to uncover a little more about Chief Flynn’s service to our community!

Following the retirement of Chief John F. Hetherman in November 1950, Flynn was appointed Temporary Chief of Police. He continued serving as Chief until October 1953, when Edmund McLaughlin was appointed. Flynn retired from the Amesbury Police Department on March 30, 1957.

The historical records also show that Flynn served the City of Amesbury in other capacities, including Director of Civil Defense and Constable, with indications that his service in these roles continued beyond his retirement from the Police Department.

But it’s the story behind this artwork that makes it so special!

According to Carol, Bartlett School was a neighborhood school, and back in those days, students would walk home for lunch each day. As they made their way back to school, Officer Flynn would be there to help them safely cross Main Street.

Every day, Officer Flynn was there to make sure the children got back to school safely.

As a way of showing their appreciation, Mrs. Wright’s first-grade class created this hand-drawn picture, complete with their signatures, to thank Officer Flynn for his years of service.

Chief Flynn was the grandfather of Carol’s late husband, Bernie Flynn. Carol was kind enough to preserve this wonderful piece of Amesbury history for nearly 70 years so we could share it with all of you today!

Sometimes it’s the little things we do as police officers that leave the biggest impressions. Nearly 70 years later, this simple act of kindness and the students’ appreciation for it are still remembered.

💙 Thanks to Carol’s generosity, this special piece of Amesbury history will now proudly be on display at the Amesbury Police Department, where future generations of officers and visitors can appreciate it for years to come.

A heartfelt thank you to Carol Bartlett for not only preserving this piece of our department’s history, but for entrusting us with its care. We are honored to give it a permanent home!

🔎 Take a close look at the signatures! Do you recognize any of the names? Maybe you or someone in your family was a student in Mrs. Wright’s first-grade class back in 1957. We’d love to hear from you!

10/28/2026

Happy National First Responders Day! 🚒🚓

Whether it's a little friendly competition on the softball field, bragging rights at a chili cook-off, or the occasional good-natured rivalry, one thing is certain: when it matters most, we're always on the same team.

From one group of first responders to another, we're proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with the men and women of Amesbury Fire Rescue Department. When the call comes in, there's no rivalry. Just teamwork.

Thank you to all first responders for everything you do, today and every day!

10/27/2026

OCTOBER IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

Domestic violence affects individuals and families in every community, often behind closed doors. Raising awareness, recognizing the warning signs, and ensuring victims know where to turn for help can make a difference.

The Amesbury Police Department is proud to work alongside our community partner, the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center, an organization right here in Amesbury dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by domestic violence.

Through crisis intervention, safety planning, counseling, advocacy, and other essential services, the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center provides critical support to those experiencing abuse.

We recognize and appreciate the dedicated professionals at the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center and the important work they do every day. Partnerships like this help us better serve victims, connect individuals with resources, and work toward a safer community.

If you or someone you know needs help, support is available.

📞 Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center 24/7 Hotline: 978-388-1888

Their hotline provides free, safe, and confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

🌐 jeannegeigercrisiscenter.org

🚨 For emergencies, dial 911.

10/23/2026

IN MEMORIAM | CAPTAIN ANDREA FOGARTY

The Amesbury Police Department extends our deepest condolences to the Haverhill Police Department as they mourn the passing of Captain Andrea Fogarty following a courageous battle with cancer.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Captain Fogarty’s family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.

Rest in peace, Captain Fogarty. Thank you for your dedicated service. Your legacy will not be forgotten.

10/22/2026

🚔 Throwback Thursday: The 1982 Zabriskie’s Pharmacy Robbery

A deep dive into the archives brings us back to July 14, 1982, and the armed robbery at Zabriskie’s Pharmacy, 77 Main Street. The newspaper clippings tell a story involving a stalled getaway car, a stolen station wagon, and a kidnapping. For retired Amesbury Police Officer Tom Hanshaw, they also bring back a frightening personal memory.

Tom was an 18-year-old recent Amesbury High School graduate working behind the counter when he was held at gunpoint. Newspaper coverage identifies Tom and Jeffrey Gwinn as the two employees on duty.

At approximately 9:40 a.m., a gunman who had purchased ci******es moments earlier returned to the pharmacy, ordered the employees to the floor, and stole drugs, including morphine.

The suspects’ escape unraveled when their white 1975 Ford Mustang stalled. The gunman pulled Mary Patten from her station wagon and drove away. Police later recovered her vehicle on Powow Hill.

The gunman then went to the Rowell Street home of Arthur Lebel, a 70-year-old recently retired town public works employee, and forced him at gunpoint to drive to Newton. Lebel was eventually released and returned home that afternoon.

Sgt. Ronald Fournier led the investigation, and Officer David Nock traveled to Worcester seeking information. State Trooper Kathy Coletta processed the Mustang for fingerprints. Newspaper reports credited fingerprints and witness identifications with helping identify the suspects.

Worcester men David Shadbegian and Barry Whalen were subsequently arrested. On December 29, 1983, both pleaded guilty to charges arising from the robbery. Shadbegian received concurrent prison terms of 10–15 years at Walpole, while Whalen received concurrent terms of 6–10 years.

Tom later joined the Amesbury Police Auxiliary and went on to serve as an Amesbury police officer. He says being a victim of such a crime helped prepare him to work with other victims. He understood firsthand the fear they could be experiencing.

Thank you to Officer Hanshaw for sharing these clippings and the personal story behind the headlines.

Do you remember Zabriskie’s Pharmacy or this incident?

10/21/2026

🎃 Halloween is a little over a week away! As you get costumes and candy ready, add a few safety essentials to your list.

🔦 Be seen: Have flashlights, fresh batteries, glow sticks, and reflective tape ready. Add reflective material to costumes and treat bags.

👻 Check the costume: Make sure masks don’t block vision, costumes don’t drag, and shoes fit securely. Choose soft, flexible costume props.

🧥 Plan for the weather: Make sure warm layers fit comfortably without creating a tripping hazard.

🚶 Plan a safe route: Use sidewalks and crosswalks. Remind children to stop and look both ways before crossing and never dart between parked cars.

👨‍👩‍👧 Make a plan together: Young children should have an adult with them. For older kids going with friends, agree on a route, return time, and check-ins.

🍬 Check treats before eating: Have children wait until an adult checks their candy and reviews labels for food allergies.

A little preparation now can help everyone enjoy a safer Halloween! 🎃

Address

19 School Street
Amesbury, MA
01913

Telephone

+19783881217

Website

https://www.amesburyma.gov/222/Police-Department

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