Lt. Lally Leaving HPD

By Nancy Rineman

Atlantic News, Thursday, November 7, 2002

[The following article is courtesy of the Atlantic News]
A NIGHT TO REMEMBER -- Hampton Police Chief William Wrenn, (left), presents retiring Hampton Police Lieutenant Bill Lally with the gift of a shadow box plaque of memorabilia at a party held in Lally's honor at the Ashworth Hotel last Friday {January 24, 2003}. Also shown in the photo is Lally's wife, Sandy.
[Atlantic News Photo by Nancy Rineman was in a later edition of the Atlantic News of January 30, 2003]

HAMPTON — Lieutenant William Lally, a member of the Hampton Police Department since 1974, has left his position there to become Director of Training for the Lowell, MA, Police Department.

Lally's retirement from Hampton was effective October 31, 2002. He will assume his new duties in Lowell November 12, 2002.

Lally said the decision to accept the civilian job in Lowell came after he had heard of the opportunity about a year ago from the deputy chief there, Dennis Cormier, who is a former Hampton Police officer. Lally, leaving HPD who is originally from Lowell, said the chance for the new position came "at a great time."

Lowell has grown to a 280 person department, Lally said. The Training Department is affiliated with 30 other cities and towns in Massachusetts, and acts as a clearing house for all types of training. The department itself is set apart from the Police Station at Cross Point Towers.

The city of Lowell has its own police academy at Umass Lowell, and Lally said training takes place there as well.

Lally took a moment to reflect on his years with Hampton, and his close to three decades here, 23 full time, 6 years part time. He recalled his first day on the job in Hampton on April 10, 1980.

"My first night, there were two high speed chases," Lally said, adding that he was working with Art Wardell that night.

Lally said he and Wardell ended up working 14 years together as detectives.

"My last night, on Halloween, there were two stabbings on the beach and one "untimely death," Lally revealed, adding that he felt his job here "started with a bang and ended with a bang."

Hampton Police Captain Jamie Sullivan recognized Lally's new position in Lowell as being a "great opportunity" for him.

"We absolutely wish him the best," Sullivan said.


Left to right: Hampton Police Detective Bill Lally; Crimeline Board Chairman Jerry McConnell and Former Chief of Police Robert E. Mark. [1995 photo]