Longtime Burlington Police Lieutenant Retires

BURLINGTON, MA — Burlington Police Lieutenant Tim McDonough marked his retirement this week after a 34-year career in law enforcement, as noted by the Burlington Police Command Officers Union on Wednesday.

McDonough wrapped up his final tour of duty beginning on Tuesday night.

McDonough had served as a lieutenant since 2018, previously spending more than a decade as a detective sergeant with the Burlington Police Department. His duties included roles on the NEMLEC SWAT team, among other things.

McDonough received the George L. Hanna Memorial Award for Bravery in 2006, receiving the highest honor for a civilian police officer in Massachusetts.

That recognition stemmed from an incident where McDonough and other officers weathered gunfire from a barricaded suspect during a prolonged standoff in 2005. Police were eventually able to arrest the suspect in that case, according to a 2006 Lowell Sun article.

A lifelong Burlington community member, McDonough first joined the Burlington Police in 1988.

Though retiring from full time service, McDonough will serve as a Special Police Officer in Burlington following a vote by the Select Board this week. The special police officer designation allows personnel to work in a support role helping the full-time police force with tasks such as traffic details.

“Good luck in your retirement Lieutenant McDonough,” the Burlington Police Department wrote in a message on social media on Wednesday.