Officer Richard Eldredge, Known as the ‘Unofficial Mayor of East Bridgewater,’ Retires After 25 Years of Service

Officer Richard Eldredge is retiring after 25 years of service to the East Bridgewater Police Department. (Photo Courtesy East Bridgewater Police Department)

EAST BRIDGEWATER — Chief Michael Jenkins and the East Bridgewater Police Department would like to announce the retirement of Officer Richard Eldredge following 25 years of dedicated service.

Officer Eldredge will officially retire from the East Bridgewater Police Department on Sept. 28.

Officer Eldredge joined the Police Department in July 2000 following 20 years of service with the Massachusetts Air National Guard as an aircraft mechanic and technical sergeant. During his service to the U.S. military, Officer Eldredge was deployed across the country and abroad, participating in Operation Northern Watch, earning the National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Reserve Meritorious Service Medal, and Desert Storm Ribbon.

Officer Eldredge was raised in East Bridgewater and graduated from its schools, before working at local businesses, such as Batti’s Sunoco, Conrad’s Mobil, and
Everett’s Auto. Officer Eldredge then worked for 20 years as a maintenance mechanic with Shaw’s warehouse.

Known by locals for his commitment to hard work and community, Officer Eldredge was affectionally referred to as the “unofficial Mayor of East Bridgewater.”

During his time at the East Bridgewater Police Department, Officer Eldredge served on patrol before becoming the town’s Commercial Vehicle Enforcement (CVE) Officer, completing both the standard and advanced CVE training through the Massachusetts State Police Academy.

Beyond his professional duties, Officer Eldredge has given his spare time generously to student and citizen police academies, ensuring that others could learn from his knowledge and experience.

“On behalf of the East Bridgewater community, we would like to extend our deepest gratitude and congratulations to Officer Eldredge as we celebrate his retirement. Thank you, Officer Eldredge, for your many years of dedicated service to East Bridgewater and our country,” said Chief Jenkins. “As Officer Eldredge retires, we know his presence, leadership and friendship will be greatly missed. His boots will indeed be tough to fill. We wish Officer Eldredge nothing but happiness and fulfillment in the next chapter of his life.”

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