Colleagues Remember Sheriff DiPaola

Sheriff James DiPaola, far right, joined Medford Mayor Michael McGlynn and Congressman Ed Markey at a press conference in Melrose in October. The three men were close. Courtesy photo.

The suicide of Middlesex Sheriff Jim DiPaola has shocked and saddened those who knew him, including his political colleagues.

Congressman Edward Markey, a Malden native like DiPaola, had the following to say about DiPaola’s premature death.

“Words cannot express how deeply saddened I am by the passing of my friend Jimmy DiPaola. Sheriff DiPaola was a devoted public servant who created some of the nation’s most successful rehabilitation programs and developed new cutting edge law enforcement technologies. He spent his entire life protecting the families of our Commonwealth and he fought tirelessly to improve the quality of life for the poor and underprivileged as well. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Addie and his daughters during this extremely difficult time.”

Medford Mayor Michael McGlynn was close to DiPaola, whose wife Addie works in the Mayor’s office.

“He was not only a great guy, but Jimmy did a tremendous job as the sheriff of Middlesex,” Mayor McGlynn told Boston.com.

The website of the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office posted the following statement along with a picture of a badge with a black ribbon, which is typically used to honor law enforcement officials who have passed away.

“The Middlesex Sheriff’s Office is sad to confirm the sudden death of James V. DiPaola.

We ask that the family’s privacy is respected during this difficult time.

Operations at the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office will continue under the direction of Special Sheriff John Granara.

No further information is available from the office at this time.”

Granara is a Medford resident and long-time employee of the Sheriff’s Office.

The funeral arrangements are reportedly being made by Spadafora Funeral Home in Malden. The funeral is expected to be private.

– InsideMedford.com