QUINCY CHIEF PROBATION OFFICER RECIPIENT OF
FIRST-TIME SPECIAL AWARD

Michael Walsh (left above), Quincy District Court Chief Probation Officer, was presented with a special award named in honor of Jim Minton, the well-respected Brookline District Court Chief Probation Officer, who died more than a year ago following his courageous battle with cancer.

The Jim Minton Excellence Award was established by the Massachusetts Chief Probation Officer’s Association and presented for the very first time at the Association’s meeting this week. The award was created by the association to honor Minton’s contributions to the Massachusetts Probation Service and to recognize a Chief Probation Officer whose “leadership, dedication and contributions to the Probation Service have been an example to all and whose accomplishments are a credit to the Massachusetts Probation Service,” according to Association President David Parke, a Barnstable District Court Chief Probation Officer.

“In 2005, the Massachusetts Chief Probation Officers Association voted to establish an award in memory of Jim Minton, a long-time member of the association who faithfully served as an executive board member and secretary to the association,” Parke said. “Jim’s spirit, enthusiasm and commitment was admired by all who knew him. He served as an inspiration to other Chief Probation Officers.”

A 33-year Chief Probation Officer, Walsh said he was “humbled” to be the award’s first recipient. “ I want to thank everyone. It is a great honor to be recognized by my peers and especially to receive an award in honor of Jim Minton,” he said.

Walsh served as Chief Probation Officer in Marlborough District Court before becoming chief in Quincy. He served 13 years as President of the Chief Probation Officers Association and served as a member of the Executive Committee. He has served as a member of the Executive Committee and on numerous committees for the Massachusetts Trial Court, including the Training Team of the Office of the Commissioner of Probation; and the Office Standards, Violation of Probation Standards and Warrant Protocol committees. Walsh, according to the Association, has also served as an active proponent of professionalism in the Probation Service through his involvement in the New England Council on Crime and Delinquency.