Stoughton Police Honor Officer Carmichael, Sgt. McNamara, Lt. McGowan at Badge Pinning Ceremony

Dozens crowded into the community room at the Stoughton Police Station Tuesday evening as the department honored three of its own, Lt. Daniel McGowan, Sgt. Donna McNamara and Officer Daniel Carmichael, at a Badge Pinning Ceremony. 

McGowan, a Stoughton police officer for 15 years, was promoted from the rank of sergeant to lieutenant. He takes the place of Lt. Francis Wohlgemuth, who retired Feb. 28. McGowan joins Executive Officer Robert Devine and Lt. Michael Blount as the Department's only lieutenants.

McNamara, meanwhile, was promoted from detective to sergeant, filling the void left by now Lt. McGowan's promotion. The second youngest of nine children, her brother Jay McNamara, the youngest of nine, is a Stoughton Firefighter. 

Devine, who presided over Tuesday's ceremony, said after searching through department records, McNamara is the first female sergeant in SPD history. She has been with the Stoughton Police for 12 years.

McGowan and McNamara will both be on the 4 p.m. to midnight shift.  

And, Carmichael is Stoughton's newest officer, officially joining the force in January of this year. Serving on the midnight to 8 a.m. shift, he has already been making "life miserable" for those who "dare to drive drunk in Stoughton," Devine said. Carmichael came to the SPD after working with the Boston Housing Police Department. 

"When one becomes a police officer like Officer Carmichael, that person is invested with immense power and equally immense responsibility to protect the citizens of Stoughton and uphold the public trust," Devine said at Tuesday's ceremony.

"When that officer becomes a sergeant, as with Sgt. McNamara, that sergeant is then entrusted with the well-being of the officers in their charge and the task of monitoring them to be the best cops they can be.

"When that sergeant becomes a lieutenant, as with Lt. McGowan, that person has the added responsibility of shaping the very direction and futures of the officers and department as a whole.

"A man much wiser than I once told me that good leadership is "painful," that it takes every bit of your being to keep people interested, motivated and feeling like they're united," Devine added. "I have no doubt that these officers are equal to that task."

Town Clerk Cheryl Mooney administered the police oath, swearing in each of the honorees. 

Selectmen John Stagnone, Cynthia Walsh, John Anzivino and Bob O'Regan were in attendance, as were many Stoughton Police Officers, and family of McGowan, McNamara and Carmichael, all Stoughton natives and Stoughton High graduates. 

McGowan and McNamara are both members of the Stoughton High Class of 1990 and were in the same homeroom. 

"That's the year I was born," joked Carmichael, a 2008 SHS grad. 

Each of the honorees had their parents - Leo and Joanne McGowan, Nancy McNamara and Paul and Michelle Carmichael - pin their badge on their respective uniforms. 

McGowan said a promotion "signifies a culmination of a ton of work."

"The promotional process, the exam, is a grueling process - it takes at least six months of preparation," he said. "[Serving as a lieutenant] is a big task, but I think I've been well prepared for it."

"It means a lot," McNamara said of becoming the department's first female sergeant. "[It's] a lot of hard work for all of us to do this job. This department has overcome a lot in the past few years. I'm just proud to wear this uniform and proud to be a part of this department." 

Carmichael said "everyone has ben very welcoming and willing to help me work through questions I may have. It's been a great experience. I valued my time at [the Boston Housing Police Department] but I just enjoy being here in my hometown."