Joseph J. Leonard

Joseph J. Leonard (May 8, 1876 – August 20, 1962) was an American political figure who served as Commissioner of the Boston Police Department for 58 days.

Joseph J. Leonard
Commissioner of the Boston Police Department
In office
1934–1935
Preceded byEugene Hultman
Succeeded byEugene M. McSweeney
Chairman of the Boston Finance Commission
In office
1934–1934
Preceded byFrank A. Goodwin
Succeeded byJacob J. Kaplan
Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from the 23rd Suffolk District
In office
1904–1905
Preceded byJohn A. Coulthurst
Succeeded byA. S. Parker Weeks
Personal details
BornMay 8, 1876
Jamaica Plain, Boston
DiedAugust 20, 1962 (aged 86)
Jamaica Plain, Boston
NationalityAmerican
Political partyDemocratic

Early life

Leonard was born on May 8, 1876, in Jamaica Plain. He dropped out of The English High School after one year to go work as a lawyer and accountant.[1][2]

Political career

Leonard ran for the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1902, but lost by 250 votes.[2] He ran again in 1903. On election night, Leonard and his opponent, Walter E. Henderson, were tied with 1,744 votes. After a recount, Leonard was declared the victory by 8 votes.[3] He ran for the 8th Suffolk District seat in the Massachusetts Senate in 1906, but lost to Republican Frank Seiberlich 6,686 votes to 5,390.[4] He was a member of the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention of 1917. In 1924, Leonard became an assistant district attorney under Thomas C. O'Brien.[2] In 1934 he was appointed chairman of the Boston Finance Commission by Governor Joseph B. Ely. His right to the position was challenged by his predecessor, Frank A. Goodwin, who remained on the board.[5] The committee voted 4 to 1 against Goodwin's motion to request a legal ruling on the dispute from the Massachusetts Attorney General and Leonard became chairman.[6] During his tenure on the commission, Leonard sought the settlement of a $85,000 claim against former Mayor James Michael Curley, despite Curley's threat of a libel suit.[2]

On December 27, 1934, outgoing Governor Ely appointed Leonard to a five-year term as Boston Police Commissioner.[7] He was opposed by Ely's successor James Michael Curley. Leonard resigned on February 19, 1935, one day before the Massachusetts Governor's Council was to begin hearing's on Curley's request to remove him from office. Curley accepted the resignation effective February 23.[7] At 58 days, Leonard has the shortest tenure as Boston Police Commissioner.[2] 1

After his resignation as police commissioner, Leonard stated that he did not intend to accept another government position and returned to his law practice.[7] He died on August 20, 1962, at Lemuel Shattuck Hospital following a brief illness.[2]

Note
  • In 2021, Dennis White served as police commissioner for two days before being placed on administrative leave, however he did not leave office until 4 months later.[8]

References
  1. A Souvenir of Massachusetts Legislators. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  2. "Joseph Leonard, Ex-Police Head, Is Dead at 80". The Boston Globe. August 21, 1962.
  3. "Leonard, Democrat, Wins: Recount in Ward 23, Where Leonard Was Tied With Henderson, Results in Former Winning". The Boston Daily Globe. November 10, 1903.
  4. A Souvenir of Massachusetts Legislators. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  5. "Leonard and Goodwin Dispute Chairmanship". The Boston Daily Globe. April 27, 1934.
  6. "Finance Commission Accepts Leonard as New Chairman". The Boston Daily Globe. April 28, 1934.
  7. "Hultman Resigns, Leonard In". The Boston Daily Globe. December 28, 1934.
  8. McDonald, Danny (2021-06-07). "Kim Janey fires Dennis White as Boston police commissioner". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2021-06-07.
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