With a swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday morning, Sergeant Jamie L. Donahue became the first permanent female sergeant in the history of the Falmouth Police Department. “I’m very excited to start this new opportunity,” Sgt. Donahue said on March 12. “I thank the town and the department for this opportunity. I look forward to taking this next step in my career.”
She was sworn in by assistant town clerk Laurie Robbins. Her badge was pinned by her husband, Daniel.
Sgt. Donahue started her career in 2004 as a provisional officer in Eastham and summer officer in Provincetown. She joined the Falmouth Police Department in January 2005. “During that time, she has excelled as a police officer,” Police Chief Edward A. Dunne said, noting that Sgt. Donahue has worked as a field training officer and sexual assault officer. In 2014, she received a special recognition certificate at the annual Spirit of Massachusetts Association of Women in Law Enforcement ceremony. In September 2015, she was appointed as a school resource officer. She remained in that role until May 2018, when she was named an acting sergeant.
During her time with the department, Sgt. Donahue participated in the “Shop With a Cop” program and started the annual “Stuff-A-Cruiser” toy drive. “Sergeant Donahue has led the way in having our department reach out and get involved in the community,” Chief Dunne said.
Tuesday’s ceremony marked a historic first. “This is really what I consider a historic day in the Falmouth Police Department,” he said. “This formal swearing-in today, for Jamie Donahue, will make the first permanent female command staff in the [history of the] Falmouth Police Department.” Several town officials congratulated Sgt. Donahue for her accomplishments.
“I want to thank Jamie for the exceptional work she has done in the role of acting sergeant for many months, going into last year,” Town Manager Julian M. Suso said, describing her promotion as “well deserved.”
Selectman Samuel H. Patterson said Sgt. Donahue serves as a role model for young women in the community.
“You’re now standing there as an aspiration, not just to your daughters, but to everyone’s daughters,” Mr. Patterson said. “We really appreciate this and thank you for serving our town so well.”
State Rep. David T. Vieira (R-East Falmouth) presented Sgt. Donahue with a citation from the Massachusetts House of Representatives thanking her for her years of service and congratulating her on her promotion.
“Today is a day that is long in coming in a department that has a good history and has a strong history, and it gets stronger as our force gets more diverse,” Rep. Vieira said. He said he looks forward to the day that Sgt. Donahue is pinned as the first female lieutenant in the history of the Falmouth Police Department.
We honor you, Jamie Donahue.