Thomas M. Hodgson, a law enforcement
and corrections professional with extensive management, marketing
and business experience, was appointed Sheriff of Bristol County
on May 21, 1997 by Governor William F. Weld and Lt. Governor
Argeo
Paul Cellucci.
He succeeded David R. Nelson,
who retired in mid-term.
Sheriff Hodgson immediately
began to work to turn the Bristol County Sheriff's Department into
the best Correction Department in the Commonwealth.
In December of 1994, Hodgson
joined the staff of the Bristol County Sheriff's Office as Assistant
Deputy Superintendent for Investigations. He directed Internal Affairs,
the K-9 Unit and Law Enforcement and Safety Initiatives.
Hodgson helped expand the Sheriff's
Office Regional Lockup Program by working with local police
departments.
He also supervised the Sheriff's Office Law Enforcement Division.
Hodgson served for two and
one-half terms as Councilor-at-Large for the City of New Bedford,
resigning
when he became Sheriff. He served as Chairperson for the Committees
on Public Safety, Internal Affairs, Youth and Neighborhood Recreation,
Tourism, Historical Projects and the
City Charter.
Hodgson served as Police Officer
in Ocean City, Maryland, working his way up to Lieutenant for
Special
Operations. He became trained as a Hostage Negotiator and served
as the Supervisor of the Hostage Negotiations Team.
He also served as President
of the Ocean City Police Union, and was a Police Academy instructor,
and Volunteer Firefighter.
