News  Probation Commissioner to be Honored by the Esteemed George Lewis Ruffin Society

In celebration of its 40th Anniversary, the Ruffin Society is introducing its 2024 inaugural Class of “Distinguished Fellows,” 18 criminal justice leaders from across the Commonwealth, during a ceremony on Wednesday, October 2nd.

The 5:30 p.m. award ceremony will be held at Northeastern University’s Alumni Center, 716 Columbus Avenue in Boston.

The honorees include:

• Hon. Julian T. Houston – Massachusetts Superior Court (ret.)
• Andrea J. Campbell – Attorney General of Massachusetts
• John Gibbons – U.S. Marshal – Massachusetts District (posthumous)
• Lawrence E. Akers – Superintendent, Springfield Police Department
• Lester Baker – Chief of Police, Framingham Police Department
• Robert A. Barrows – Chief of Police, Bunker Hill Community College
• Shumeane Benford – Chief of Police, Somerville Police Department
• Lisa Butner – Captain Detective, Tufts University Police Department
• Michael A. Cox – Commissioner, Boston Police Department
• Michael A. Davis – Vice President of Campus Safety/Chief of Police, Northeastern University
• Christine Elow – Police Commissioner, Cambridge Police Department
• Kenneth Green – Chief of Police, MBTA Transit Police
• Kevin R. Hayden – District Attorney, Suffolk County
• James G. Hicks – Chief of Police, Natick Police Department
• Pamerson O. Ifill – Commissioner, Massachusetts Probation Service
• Tyrone A. Parham –Assistant Vice Chancellor/ Chief of Police, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
• Yolanda Smith – Chief of Police, Tufts University Police Department
• Steven W. Tompkins – Sheriff, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department

Established in 1984, the Ruffin Society was created “to support persons of color within the Massachusetts criminal justice system, and to establish a greater understanding between communities of color and the criminal justice profession.”

“The Ruffin Society Board is pleased to celebrate 40 years, and to honor the Class of 2024, as it reflects the success of our founding principles and mission. The members remain committed to the work ahead, and are pleased to recognize individuals for their leadership and commitment to the communities they serve, “ said Board President Anthony Owens.

The Ruffin Society is named in honor of Justice George Lewis Ruffin who was appointed to Charlestown Municipal Court in 1883.

In 1869, Justice Ruffin became the first Black person to graduate from Harvard Law School, and was likely the first Black American to obtain a law degree. He served in the Massachusetts State Legislature before his appointment as Justice in the Charlestown Court.