Essex County Sheriff's Department

11/08/2026

That's a wrap on another successful harvest season at the Farm!

The growing season has officially come to an end at our Lawrence Pre-Release and Re-Entry Center, also known as "the Farm," and we're celebrating the hard work and dedication that made this year's harvest possible!

Our final crops of pumpkins and butternut squash were harvested, with pumpkins donated to the community and fresh butternut squash making its way to our correctional facilities for Thanksgiving and Christmas meals. Any remaining squash will be donated to local food banks and pantries, helping provide fresh, nutritious food to families in need.

The Farm is about much more than growing vegetables. It provides incarcerated individuals with opportunities to learn valuable skills, develop a strong work ethic, and experience the pride that comes from giving back to their communities.

A heartfelt thank you to Sgt. Dennis Laubner and everyone who helped plant, tend, harvest, and distribute this year's crops. Your hard work makes a difference not only at our facilities but throughout Essex County.

Here's to another season of growing food, building skills, and giving back!

11/07/2026

Sheriff Kevin F. Coppinger recently joined host Jim Carrigan on Lynn Community TV’s The American Dream for a great conversation about the work of the Essex County Sheriff’s Department and our commitment to keeping communities safe.

From addressing substance use and mental health challenges to expanding education, job training, and re-entry programs, Sheriff Coppinger shared how our department is working to help individuals successfully return to their communities.

The conversation also highlighted the importance of strong partnerships with law enforcement, the courts, and community organizations, and how these efforts have helped Essex County achieve the lowest recidivism rate of any county sheriff’s department in Massachusetts.

A big thank you to Jim Carrigan and Lynn Community TV for the opportunity to share our story and give viewers a closer look at the work happening every day at the Essex County Sheriff’s Department!

Watch it here: https://bit.ly/4z5iSBm

Lynn Community Television

11/07/2026

Thank you to the North Shore Chamber of Commerce for hosting a wonderful breakfast this morning honoring our Veterans. And thank you to those Veterans for their service and sacrifice to protect our freedoms! A special congratulations goes out to Kurt Fieldhouse, the 2026
recipient of the Minuteman Service Award!!!

11/06/2026

The Changing Lives Through Literature program is essentially a book club with a unique twist. It brings judges, probation officers, and other court officials together with incarcerated women at our Women in Transition facility in Salisbury to read books, share perspectives, and have meaningful conversations about life, choices, and personal growth.

We recently celebrated another group of women who successfully completed this powerful program, which uses literature to encourage self-reflection, build confidence, and inspire positive change.

One participant described the experience as an opportunity to sit side by side with people from the criminal justice system and have a clean slate, despite their different experiences and circumstances.

That's what makes this program so special. For a few hours, titles and backgrounds take a back seat as everyone comes together to listen, learn, and see one another in a different light.

A special thank you to Haverhill District Court Associate Justice Susan McNeil, Probation Officers Jocelyn Torres and Melissa Madden, and Facilitator Lindsay Prendergast for their dedication to this program and the women who participate.

Congratulations to our graduates! Your willingness to open a book, share your stories, and embrace new perspectives is an important step toward a brighter future.

11/04/2026

Sheriff Kevin F. Coppinger was pleased to speak with members of the Greater Lynn Chamber of Commerce this morning about the importance of collaboration in keeping our communities safe.

From working closely with local law enforcement and community organizations to providing education, treatment, and re-entry services, the Essex County Sheriff's Department knows that public safety is a team effort.

The Sheriff highlighted how these partnerships have helped our department achieve the lowest recidivism rate of any county sheriff's office in Massachusetts, creating safer communities and stronger opportunities for those returning home.

Thank you to the Greater Lynn Chamber of Commerce for the invitation and for bringing together local business and community leaders who share our commitment to a safer, stronger Essex County!

10/30/2026

Congratulations to the 19 newest graduates of our Lawrence STAR Program!

These graduates have put in the hard work, shown dedication to their recovery and personal growth, and taken important steps toward building successful futures.

And their accomplishments speak for themselves:

👏 2 inducted into the Adult Education National Honor Society
📚 799 hours of internal programming
🤝 1,475 hours of structured community engagement
✅ 313 drug screenings completed

Our STAR (Supporting Transitions and Re-Entry) Program helps justice-involved individuals overcome challenges by connecting them with the education, treatment, job training, and community resources they need to succeed.

We are incredibly proud of these graduates and the commitment they've made to changing their lives. We also applaud our dedicated STAR team for the guidance, encouragement, and support they provide every step of the way.

STAR Program - Essex County

10/28/2026

10/23/2026

Our thoughts and prayers are with our brothers and sisters at Haverhill Police - Official with the loss of Capt. Andrea Fogarty. Capt. Fogarty was a true professional and such an inspiration to women in law enforcement. We pray for her family, friends and loved ones and appreciate her tremendous service to the residents of Haverhill.

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Captain Andrea Fogarty after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer.

Captain Fogarty served this department and the citizens of Haverhill with distinction for 27+ years. Throughout a long and dedicated career, she was known for unwavering professionalism, strong leadership, and a genuine commitment to the men and women of this department and the community we serve. Even during her illness, Captain Fogarty remained positive, resilient, and deeply appreciative of the support shown to her, reflecting the strength of character that defined her both personally and professionally.

Her impact on this police department is lasting, and her absence will be deeply felt. During her three decades of service, she served in multiple assignments, including Community Policing, with multiple NEMLEC units, and for a large majority of her career in our Detective division. She will be greatly missed by all of us who had the privilege to work alongside her and call her a friend.

The members of the Haverhill Police Department extend our sincere condolences to Captain Fogarty’s family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time. We ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this time.

City of Haverhill Mayor's Office - Official

10/23/2026

Congratulations to all the “Lynn Legacies” who were celebrated last night at the Lynn Museum for the lasting impact each has made on the city. Special congratulations to Alan Simons from Simons Uniforms who was Sheriff Coppinger’s first boss! Alan and the Sheriff are seen holding a museum picture of the Sheriff’s dad, then Lynn Police Sergeant Joe Coppinger, who was escorting the notorious Boston Strangler Albert DeSalvo out of the Lynn Police Station in 1967. DeSalvo was captured inside Simon’s Uniforms earlier that day after a lengthy manhunt.

10/20/2026

Sheriff Kevin Coppinger thanks Phyllis Jones, chair of the North Andover Commission on Ability Assistance, and her crew for having him on her show. You can watch the interview here: https://bit.ly/4dKZf9R