Reading Police Department Unveils Restored Police Callbox Honoring Officer Richard L. Nelson

READING – The Reading Police Department is pleased to unveil a restored historic police callbox at the front entrance of the Reading Police Station, honoring the legacy of the late Reading Police Officer Richard L. “Rick” Nelson, whose dedication to preserving the town’s history made this project possible.

The original police callbox, dating from approximately 1925 to 1950, was rescued from a demolition site decades ago by Officer Nelson after it was removed during construction in Reading Center. Recognizing its historical significance, he saved it from being discarded and preserved it for future generations.

Following Officer Nelson’s passing in 2024 at the age of 83, the Nelson family generously donated the callbox to the Reading Police Department in his memory. Chief Clark reached out to the Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational School in Wakefield, thanks to a collaborative effort with the department, staff, and students, the historic callbox has been fully refurbished and given new life.

Students from the school’s Autobody, Carpentry, Robotics, and Metal Fabrication programs worked together on the restoration. They rebuilt the callbox’s base from the ground up, restored its exterior, and incorporated solar-powered lighting so the blue beacon once again shines each night.

While the original communication equipment inside the callbox is no longer salvageable, the restored blue light serves as a lasting reminder of the important role these callboxes once played in connecting police officers with the community.

“This project represents the importance of community partnership, historical preservation and public service,” said Chief David Clark. “I had the privilege of working with Rick Nelson during the early years of my career, and he dedicated 30 years to serving the Reading community and understood the importance of preserving our department’s history. We are grateful to the Nelson family for this generous donation and to the talented students and instructors at Northeast Metro Tech whose craftsmanship has ensured this piece of Reading’s history will be enjoyed for years to come.”

Rick’s family, his wife Susan, and his two sons, Reading Fire Chief Richard Nelson, and Reading Police Sgt. Ian Nelson, who followed in their fathers footsteps of serving the community of Reading, were in attendance when the callbox was officially installed in front of the police station.

A commemorative plaque installed alongside the callbox recognizes Officer Nelson’s service and the collaborative restoration effort, ensuring visitors understand the historical significance of the callbox and the legacy of the man who preserved it.

Richard L. Nelson was a lifelong Reading resident and a graduate of Reading Memorial High School’s Class of 1958. After serving in the United States Army from 1962 to 1964, he joined the Reading Police Department in 1966. During his 30-year career, he served the community with professionalism and integrity before retiring in 1996. He continued supporting law enforcement officers throughout Massachusetts as a business agent for the Massachusetts Coalition of Police until 2011.

The callbox is now permanently displayed at the front entrance of the Reading Police Station, where it stands as a symbol of the department’s history, Officer Nelson’s commitment to preserving that history, and the successful partnership between the Reading Police Department, the Nelson family, and Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational School.

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