Marblehead Fires Suspended Police Officer After Nearly 3 Years

MARBLEHEAD, MA — A Marblehead police officer who has spent nearly three years on paid suspension has been fired.

Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer told the Select Board that Christopher Gallo, who was suspended in June 2021, was notified of his termination late last week.

"The termination notice was delivered to Officer Christopher Gallon on Friday (Feb. 23)," Kezer said. "So that was his last day of employment with the town."

The firing leaves the town two full-time police officers short, according to Kezer.

Kezer said a lateral transfer or a new Civil Service hire will fill one of the vacancies.

The other position will be left empty for budgetary reasons as the town faces a structural deficit.

"So one of the cuts being proposed for next year's budget is keeping that position vacant," Kezer said. "It will have an impact on the department."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)