Retired Attleboro Police Chief Roland Sabourin Dies

Retired Attleboro Police Chief Roland Sabourin has passed away, according to the Attleboro Police Department.

The department sent out a tweet Wednesday morning:

Attleboro Police @AttleboroPolice

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Chief Roland Sabourin (ret.). Chief Sabourin retired in 2002 after serving 32 years.

According to Police Chief Kyle Heagney, Sabourin passed away Tuesday night and had been battling cancer at the time of his death. He was 65 years old.

Heagney said Sabourin will be remembered for his engaging presence.

"He had a very charismatic personality," the present chief said. "He was a very magnetic person. He had a great enjoyable sense of humor. He was a charming person."

Heagney added that he was personally saddened by Sabourin's death. His father, Capt. Walter Heagney, worked side-by-side with the former chief.

 "I was proud when 'Rolly' hired me as a police officer," Heagney said. "I’m more proud to become a police chief and try to continue his success when he was chief. I really thought the world of him. He was just a real nice guy."