By Don Wayman

The Webster-Dudley Veterans Council has named Webster Police Chief Michael Shaw as grand marshal of this year’s Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 30.

The Webster Board of Selectmen appointed Michael Shaw to head the Webster Police Department in 2019. The new chief had been with the department in many capacities since 1997. The unanimous vote of confidence he received from the BOS was well-deserved. Chief Shaw is a true believer in the department’s mission: Honor-Courage-Commitment.

Following up on the BOS’s endorsement of Mr. Shaw, the Memorial Day Parade Committee chose him to lead the parade through the streets of Webster and Dudley, our twin towns.

Mike’s early years were spent in several Northern Worcester County towns before settling in Shrewsbury. He attended St. John’s High School, graduating in 1990. “Shawsy,” as he was called, played a little baseball but worked full-time at his “part-time job” at the Big D market. He attended Fitchburg State College with plans on becoming a teacher before transferring to Anna Maria College, where he received his Master’s degree in Criminal Justice and Safety.

Shawsy became Pvt. Michael Shaw upon his enlistment in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. He was indoctrinated at Camp Lejeune, N.C. Upon completion of boot camp, Mike reported to the Camp Edwards facility, which was built to simulate a Middle Eastern town. He was assigned to Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 25th Regiment, 4th Marine Division. The raw recruit became very familiar with close-order drill on the parade grounds, and the proper use of the heavy machine gun. Seventy-four months later he was discharged with the rank of platoon sergeant. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Expert Rifle Badge.

Soon after Mike concluded his six-year commitment to his country and the Marine Corps (and still a young man), he became the new cop working the beat in town. A proficient patrolman, he became sergeant in 2006, and advanced to deputy chief eleven years later. Today, he is Swat Team control chief and has led Webster’s thirty three-member Police Department since his appointment in 2019.

He is also a firearms instructor and fitness trainer.

Chief Shaw sees Webster as a small New England town enjoying an improved quality of life, with enhanced public safety. A town where there is a minimum of fear of crimes, and there are safeguards in place to protect lives and property.

  Chief Shaw is active in supporting public programs, including International Night-Out, the Easter Egg Hunt and basketball leagues for kids. More recently the department sponsored Duck-Off, Polar Plunge and Touch a Truck events. Under the chief’s direction the department has added a part-time community outreach advocate to provide assistance to townspeople in need.

With the addition of quality lawmen, an emphasis on public relations, a clear understanding of juvenile misbehavior and a role model like Chief Shaw, Webster’s Police Department will meet the challenges of law enforcement as they exist today.

The Webster-Dudley Veterans Council is proud to have Chief Shaw assume the duties of grand marshal as we observe this Memorial Day of remembrance and reflection.