Sergeant John Grillo will conclude his service as a full-time East Bridgewater Police officer on Dec. 30, 2026, after nearly 30 years serving the community. (Photo Courtesy East Bridgewater Police)
EAST BRIDGEWATER — The East Bridgewater Police Department announces the retirement of Sergeant John Grillo after serving the East Bridgewater community for nearly 30 years.
Sgt. Grillo’s retirement comes during a significant leadership transition for the department, following the announced retirements of Chief Michael E. Jenkins and Deputy Chief Michael McLaughlin. The three veteran law enforcement officers have a combined 115 years of law enforcement experience. Their collective service represents decades of dedication to public safety, leadership and the residents of East Bridgewater.
Sgt. Grillo began his law enforcement career in 1988 with the Hanover Police Department, serving as a Special Police Officer assigned to the Hanover Mall. In September 1997, he joined the East Bridgewater Police Department, beginning a career with the department that would span nearly three decades.
During his time with East Bridgewater, Sgt. Grillo served in several important assignments, including Community Policing, School Resource Officer, the Detective Division, and Patrol Sergeant. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a commitment to public safety, community engagement, and the officers he has supervised.
During his time in Community Policing, Sergeant Grillo helped establish and support programs that strengthened the department’s relationship with residents, including the Citizen Police Academy, Student Police Academy, Council on Aging events, Neighborhood Watch, and the Child Safety Seat Program. His involvement in child passenger safety began more than 25 years ago, and the program continues to benefit families in the community today.
From 2001 to 2006, Sgt. Grillo served as the department’s School Resource Officer. In that role, he built meaningful relationships with students and became a trusted and familiar presence in their lives. Many former students, now adults, still recognize him and remember the positive influence he had during their school years.
Sgt. Grillo joined the Detective Division in 2006 and served there until 2018. During those years, he contributed to numerous investigations and successful prosecutions while also managing important departmental responsibilities, including the evidence vault, firearms licensing, state crime statistics, and juvenile justice reporting. He has described his time in the Detective Division as among the most rewarding of his career.
In 2018, Sgt. Grillo became a Patrol Sergeant, a position he has held since. He has worked to represent the Department positively in the community while supporting, guiding, and looking out for the officers under his supervision. His last official day will be Dec.20, 2026.
“Sgt. Grillo has dedicated nearly three decades of his career to the East Bridgewater Police Department and the residents we serve,” said Chief Michael E. Jenkins. “Throughout his years in Community Policing, the schools, the Detective Division, and Patrol, he has made a lasting contribution to this Department and our community. His commitment to building relationships, serving residents, and supporting fellow officers reflects the values of Character, Commitment, and Community. I thank John for his years of dedicated service and congratulate him as he begins this next chapter.”
The East Bridgewater Police Department thanks Sgt. Grillo for his many years of service and wishes him and his family all the best in retirement.
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