Stoughton Police Honor Devine, Bonney, Holmes at Badge Pinning, Swearing-In Ceremony

Three Stoughton Police officers, Deputy Chief Robert Devine, Lt. John Bonney, and Sgt. Brian Holmes were honored Wednesday night at a swearing-in and badge pinning ceremony.

Calling it a "history making occasion for the Stoughton Police Department," Chief Paul Shastany presided over the ceremony, which took place in the Great Hall of Stoughton's Town Hall, before a capacity crowd of family, friends and fellow police officers.

"This promotion ceremony is the culmination of a three year effort to restructure the department to meet our present and future challenges," Shastany said. "This is an exciting time for the Stoughton Police Department."

Town Clerk Cheryl Mooney administered the oath to each officer, and family members had the honor of pinning the badges.

Devine, who joined the department in 1999, becomes the Department's first Deputy Chief, filling the position approved at last year's Town Meeting. He most recently served as the SPD's executive officer.

Shastany called Devine his "right arm," and with his promotion to Deputy Chief, he is officially Shastany's right-hand man.  

"We share the same philosophy of policing...putting people first," Shastany said. 

Devine's wife, Lisa, an officer with the Quincy Police Department, and daughter Makenna helped pin his badge.

Bonney becomes a lieutenant after previously serving as a sergeant. He has been with the SPD since 2003. 

"Lieutenant Bonney has distinguished himself as a transformative and inspirational leader," Shastany said. "He inspires me to be a better leader through his genuine interest in bettering his officers."

Bonney's wife, Michelle, and two children, Liam and Caelyn, helped pin his badge. 

Holmes has been with the SPD since 1999. As sergeant, he will remain a K9 officer, with his police dog Annie by his side.

"Sergeant Holmes has proven himself as an informal leader and now a formal leader," Shastany said. "He is respected by his peers as a stable and influential officer."

Holmes' wife, Michele, and two children, Christopher and Caitlin, helped pin his badge. 

"Leadership in today's policing industry requires nerves of steel, the poise of a statesman and patience of a saint. It is leadership that moves organizations forward or sends them into a dark abyss. These three police officers willingly embrace all of the challenges that they will face [and] will certainly experience in the future," Shastany said. 

"We have all heard that familiar phrase that 'leadership is painful.' I will add that the pain is temporary and the rewards immeasurable."