BY DARRELL HALEN
Several people came to see him, shake his hand and express kind words. Some even gave him a hug. It was Evan Haglund’s last day as Pelham’s police chief.
But as he greeted people in the police station’s community room on Friday, April 20, Haglund showed no signs of sadness. Just the opposite.
“I’m very happy, because what makes it easier to leave is knowing the department is in good shape,” he said. “So many people have thanked me, and for the department we’ve headed. I’m going out on top.”
Many of the people who stopped by were fellow town employees who wished him good luck in his new job. After devoting 28 years to Pelham, Haglund was retiring to become police chief in Topsfield, Mass.
“Congratulations, sir, we never thought it would happen,” joked Lt. Jack Tirrell, a firefighter, as he smiled and shook Haglund’s hand.
“I’m not saying goodbye. I’m sad,” said Janet Gallant, the town’s finance director, as she hugged him.
“I’m going to miss him,” she said later. “He’s a good guy and he’s done a great job.”
A few minutes later, a bagpipe player, Nashua police officer Kevin Collins, led Haglund and the man chosen by selectmen to succeed him, Pelham police Capt. Joseph Roark, to the station’s back parking lot.
The blue lights of the cruisers were flashing and the town’s police officers stood at attention in line.
Haglund walked to each one, exchanged salutes, spoke briefly and shook hands. Firefighters stood in line on the other side of the lot and a group of town employees, selectmen and residents, including Haglund’s wife, Christine, stood and watched.
Roark was sworn in as chief by Town Clerk Dorothy Marsden.
Jon Gosselin, one of the patrolmen hired by Haglund, said after the ceremony that he appreciated the opportunities the retiring chief gave him, including the chance to become the department’s assistant prosecutor.
“I’m sad but I’m also happy for him,” Gosselin said as he walked back into the station. “It’s a new endeavor in his career and I’m sure he’ll treat the town of Topsfield very well. I’m completely grateful for hiring me and giving me the chance to be a police officer here.”