Wareham Police Chief John Walcek Retiring

WAREHAM — The Wareham Police Department has announced the impending retirement of Chief John Walcek.

Walcek will officially retire on Saturday, April 17, ending a nearly 34-year association with the Wareham Police Department.

“I consider it an honor and privilege to have been afforded the opportunity to serve Wareham and its residents for so many years,” Chief Walcek said.

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Walcek has served as chief since February of 2020, after becoming acting chief in 2018 following the retirement of former Chief Kevin Walsh.

Walcek first began working for the Wareham Police Department in 1987, when at the age of 20 he was hired as a summer special officer. Prior to that, he had worked as a call firefighter at the West Wareham station in 1984 while still in high school. He also worked for the Municipal Maintenance Department during the summer throughout his teenage years.

He continued to work for both the Wareham and Rochester Police Departments while attending Bridgewater State University.

Walcek was hired full-time as a Wareham police officer in 1989, promoted to sergeant in 2003, and lieutenant in 2010. While a police officer, he continued to serve as a call firefighter until 1997.

“I am as proud to be a Wareham police officer today as I was the first day I walked a beat on Main Street the 5 p.m.-1 a.m. shift, May 31, 1987,” Walcek said. “Wareham is blessed to have a police force made up of dedicated professionals, supported by the Town Administrator as well as the Board of Selectmen.”

The police department said leadership changes will be announced in the upcoming weeks, and that Chief Walcek will actively serve until his retirement date.