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"Good afternoon everyone,
It's a privilege to be here today to celebrate a truly deserving recipient of the Hometown Hero Award-Franklin Police Chief TJ Lynch.
I want to begin by thanking the folks at Wellpoint, WEEI, and the Boston Bruins for shining a light on leaders like Chief Lynch. This award is about more than recognition-it's about elevating the stories of those who quietly and consistently make our communities stronger, safer, and more compassionate.
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| David Morales, general manager of Wellpoint, Franklin Town Administrator Jamie Hellen; Franklin Chief of Police Thomas J. “TJ” Lynch; and State Rep Jeff Roy (speaking) |
For more than 30 years, Chief Lynch has served the Town of Franklin with integrity, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to public safety. But what makes his leadership so exceptional is not just the length of his service-it's the way he has shaped the culture of policing in our community. Under his guidance, the Franklin Police Department has become a model for what modern, community-centered policing should look like.
Chief Lynch understands that public safety is not just about enforcement-it's about relationships. It's about trust. And it's about meeting people where they are. That's why, under his leadership, the department achieved full accreditation, strengthened regional partnerships through the MetroLEC SWAT task force, and embraced innovative
approaches like co-response models that bring mental health clinicians into policing. He has also supported initiatives like therapy dogs, recognizing that sometimes the best way to serve is simply to provide comfort and connection in difficult moments.
As Town Administrator Jamie Hellen so well said, Chief Lynch has built a department that puts people first-supporting officers at every level while never losing sight of the residents they serve. Franklin's reputation as one of the safest communities in the country is no accident. It is, in large part, a reflection of his steady leadership, his forward-thinking approach, and his deep sense of duty.
The Hometown Heroes program honors those who go above and beyond in service to others-those whose everyday actions often go unnoticed but make a lasting difference.
Chief Lynch embodies that spirit completely. He leads not for recognition, but because he cares deeply about this community and the people in it.
Chief Lynch, on behalf of a grateful community, thank you-for your decades of service, for your leadership, and for the example you set every single day. We are proud to call you our Chief, and even prouder to call you a true hometown hero.
Congratulations"
Jeffrey Roy
State Representative
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| (L-R) David Morales, general manager of Wellpoint, Franklin Town Administrator Jamie Hellen; Franklin Chief of Police Thomas J. “TJ” Lynch; and State Rep Jeff Roy |
Additional photos of the event can be found in one album:
The Wellpoint press release
The audio of the event