Hi, I’m Ed Walsh

I grew up in an eight family Steinberg triple decker on Granite Street in Taunton.  My mother did piece work in various silver factories and my father was a foreman at a rubber plant.  When I was 13, my father was violently assaulted and severely beaten and my mother moved us out of the neighborhood. We moved to East Taunton where I lived until my parents died.  I graduated Taunton High School in 1979 and joined the Massachusetts National Guard while still in High School.  Upon release from Active Duty I went to college and worked part time jobs.  When my father got cancer, I quit school and went to work full-time to support the family.  After his death I eventually was able to take some courses to complete my Bachelors in History and Political Science from UMASS Boston.  When GTE came to Taunton, I was hired as the Communication Security Custodian and worked there and two part time jobs until I was hired by the Taunton Police Department in 1988.

From 1985 until 2004, I served in various active and reserve roles with the United States Army Reserve, retiring from active service in 2004 as a Sergeant Major.  During this time I served in intelligence positions primarily working for the Defense Intelligence Agency in Washington.  I also served on Active Duty, including working as the senior intelligence noncommissioned officer for Combined Task Force Fervent Archer.

At the Taunton Police Department, I worked my way up the ranks, becoming Chief in 2010.  During my career, I was involved in various initiatives including the implementation of Community Policing, DARE and the City’s GIS program.  I believe I was the first person to have been president of both the Taunton Police Patrolmen’s Association and the Taunton Police Supervisor’s Association.   As a senior leader, I worked at the national and international level, serving on the Executive Board of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, where I was the voice for police departments with staffing between 50 and 999.  I have been involved in policy development and was one of the early proponents of unmanned aerial systems (drones) in Law Enforcement.  I also serve as the President of the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council. I currently have Master Degrees in Criminal Justice and Public Administration, as well as a Juris Doctor.  I am a member of the Massachusetts Bar.

My wife and I live in Taunton with our two dogs, Newton and Paisley.  Between us we have five children from previous marriages.

Campaign Priorities:

• Community Safety – Supporting first responders, strengthening public safety infrastructure, addressing homelessness and addiction, investing in youth intervention, and building safer neighborhoods for everyone.
• Affordability – Tackling rising utility and housing costs, supporting economic development and small businesses, pursuing grant funding, investing in workforce training, and opposing unnecessary tax and fee increases.
• Accountability in Government – Promoting transparency, improving efficiency, eliminating waste and fraud, and ensuring strong checks and balances in government operations.
• Healthcare Access & Affordability – Expanding access to quality, affordable healthcare services for individuals and families.
• Education & Workforce Opportunity – Supporting strong schools, career training programs, and opportunities that prepare residents for long-term success.
• Local Aid & Community Investment – Fighting for the state resources and funding our communities need and deserve.