Former Dartmouth Chief Passes After Fight With Cancer

Former Dartmouth Police Chief Stephen J. Soares, 70, of Westport, passed away Thursday at Tufts Medical Center in Boston after a courageous battle with cancer, according to a release by the Dartmouth Police Department. 

Soares began his law enforcement career as a police officer for the Dartmouth Police Department in 1967. He served as Chief from 1983 until his retirement in 2000.

Upon retirement, Soares moved to Norwich, VT where he served as Police Chief from 2001-2004 and then served as town manager for four years. Soares continued to stay active in law enforcement, serving as Police Chief of Windsor, VT and a consultant to several police departments from 2008-2014.

According to the release, Soares was also a canine officer, an avid supporter of the D.A.R.E. program, and an outdoorsman that especially enjoyed hunting and fishing.

His Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at 10 am in the Waring-Sullivan Home of Memorial Tribute at Dartmouth, 230 Russells Mills Rd., Dartmouth followed by burial in Evergreen Cemetery. Visiting hours will be Tuesday 4-8 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908.