THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2022 Page 5 ~ THE ADVOCATE ASKS ~ Retired Detective James Donovan discusses his 32 years with the Saugus Police Department Editor’s Note: For this week, we interviewed Saugus resident James Donovan, who retired on Feb. 28 from the Saugus Police Department after 32 years. Detective Donovan, 65, last week received citations from the Saugus Board of Selectmen, the Massachusetts House of Representatives and the Saugus Police Department recognizing his service to the citizens of Saugus. Recently, he also received a plaque from the FBI Boston Offi ce thanking him for his “years of dedication and service to the FBI Boston Violent Crimes Task Force from December 2008 to February 2022.” Donovan was born in the old Saugus General Hospital and grew up in Lynn. He was a 1974 graduate of Lynn Tech, where he studied metal fabrication. In 1980 he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and became a helicopter crew chief. He served for four years before discharging as a Sergeant E-5. After the service, Donovan worked as a welder for General Electric. He later married Lisa Ann Brown, a 1980 Lynn Tech graduate who was also born in the old Saugus General Hospital. She was a special education teacher, and they were married for 35 years before she passed away last July after losing a courageous battle to ALS. Donovan still wears the blue rubber wristband bearing his wife’s name. He credits his fellow officers in Saugus and from area police departments A DETECTIVE BY CHOICE: Retired Saugus Police Detective James Donovan says he was never interested in climbing up through the ranks of law enforcement. He found professional fulfillment by remaining a detective instead of taking promotional exams. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) with providing him with emotional support as he endured his personal tragedy. Donovan was initially hired by the Town of Saugus as a fi refighter and served as a temporary firefighter for several months before being laid off . But having taken the Civil Service Examination for police offi cers, he was able to apply for an opening with the Saugus Police Department and became a police offi cer in February 1990. He spent about nine years in uniform patrol before becoming a detective. The Essex County District Attorney’s Offi ce began a drug task force, working with Saugus and other police departments. Donovan became a member of the task force and began working on drug cases, often teaming up with offi cers in other departments throughout the region. In late 2008, he began working with the FBI Boston Violent Crimes Task Force and continued that association until his retirement several weeks ago. Donovan joined the Police Department with former Saugus Police Chief Domenic DiMella, who retired in August of 2018 after 29 years with the Police Department. To relieve stress and keep in good physical condition, they pursued and earned their Black Belts in Kempo Karate together. Donovan has spent more than three decades as a member of William Sutton Masonic Lodge in Saugus. He said he was a Master of the Lodge when he was going to the Police Academy. The commendations throughout his law enforcement career include the 1997 “Offi cer of the Year” from the Saugus Police Department. Donovan and his late wife Lisa raised two children who both graduated from Saugus High School. His son, James, of Boston, resigned as a Saugus fi refi ghter on Feb. 5 (the same day Donovan resigned from the Police Department) and began working for the Boston Fire Department. He and his fi ancé, Justina Levey, had a baby girl – Monroe Ann – last October. That is Detective Donovan’s fi rst grandchild. His daughter, Rachel Patrizzi, of Beverly, is a personal trainer, but is also on the list of candidates for a position on the Saugus Fire Department. If successful, she would become the fi rst woman fi refi ghter in Saugus. Her husband, Guido, is a Revere police offi cer. Feb. 6 is a special day for Detective Donovan. He shares that birthday with his mother – 86-year-old Beatrice Mills, who lives next door – and his late grandfather, Edwin “Bucker” Holmes, a “Person of the Year Award” recipient at the 1996 Founders Day and also a member of the Volunteer Saugus Fire Department. Donovan’s middle name is Edwin, after his grandfather. ASKS | SEE PAGE 6 $$ CASH FOR YOUR CAR, TRUCK OR SUV! $$ GET YOUR VEHICLE SPRING READY! 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER 2015 HYUNDAI TUSCON $39.95 TRADES WELCOME! $12,900 Easy Financing Available! TRADES WELCOME! (781) 321-8841 • (617) 571-9869 1236 EasternAve • Malden EddiesAutotech.com For Your Vehicle! $14,500 We Pay Cash
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