Joseph F. Timilty (police commissioner)
Encyclopedia
Joseph F. Timilty was an American law enforcement officer and politician who served as Boston Police Commissioner from 1936 to 1943.
Timilty was appointed police commissioner by Governor
James Michael Curley
on November 25, 1936. Prior to accepting the position, Timilty was a member of the Governor's military staff.
He was police commissioner during the Cocoanut Grove fire
.
On March 27, 1943, Timilty and six of his subordinates were indicted on charges of conspiracy to permit the operation of gambling houses and the registration of bets. Immediately after the indictment he was placed on leave by Governor Leverett Saltonstall
. The indictment was quashed and on June 5 Timilty returned to duty. He was re-indicted on June 25. On July 2, Judge Frank J. Donahue
quashed the second indictment. Governor Saltonstall chose not to re-appoint Timilty and on November 25, 1943, Timilty's tenure as Police Commissioner ended.
Timilty was a candidate for Mayor of Boston in 1951
. He finished a distant third in the primary behind Mayor John Hynes
and former Mayor James Michael Curley.
Timilty died on October 2, 1980 in Bal Harbour, Florida
.
Timilty was appointed police commissioner by Governor
Governor of Massachusetts
The Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the executive magistrate of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, United States. The current governor is Democrat Deval Patrick.-Constitutional role:...
James Michael Curley
James Michael Curley
James Michael Curley was an American politician famous for his four terms as mayor of Boston, Massachusetts. He also served twice in the United States House of Representatives and one term as 53rd Governor of Massachusetts.-Early life:Curley's father, Michael Curley, left Oughterard, County...
on November 25, 1936. Prior to accepting the position, Timilty was a member of the Governor's military staff.
He was police commissioner during the Cocoanut Grove fire
Cocoanut Grove fire
The Cocoanut Grove was Boston's premier nightclub during the post-Prohibition 1930s and 40s. On November 28, 1942, occurred the scene of what remains the deadliest nightclub fire, killing 492 people and injuring hundreds more...
.
On March 27, 1943, Timilty and six of his subordinates were indicted on charges of conspiracy to permit the operation of gambling houses and the registration of bets. Immediately after the indictment he was placed on leave by Governor Leverett Saltonstall
Leverett Saltonstall
Leverett A. Saltonstall was an American Republican politician who served as the 55th Governor of Massachusetts and as a United States Senator .-Biography:...
. The indictment was quashed and on June 5 Timilty returned to duty. He was re-indicted on June 25. On July 2, Judge Frank J. Donahue
Frank J. Donahue
Frank J. Donahue was an American politician who served as the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Chairman of the Massachusetts Democratic State Committee, and as an Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Superior Court.-1912 Election:...
quashed the second indictment. Governor Saltonstall chose not to re-appoint Timilty and on November 25, 1943, Timilty's tenure as Police Commissioner ended.
Timilty was a candidate for Mayor of Boston in 1951
Boston mayoral election, 1951
The Boston mayoral election of 1951 occurred on Tuesday, November 6, 1951 between Mayor John B. Hynes and former Mayor James Michael Curley. Hynes was elected to his second term.The nonpartisan municipal preliminary election was held on September 25, 1951....
. He finished a distant third in the primary behind Mayor John Hynes
John Hynes
John B. Hynes , a Massachusetts politician, was mayor of Boston 1950-1960.Family backgroundHynes was the son of Bernard Hynes, Abbey Street, Loughrea, County Galway, Ireland, who emigrated to Boston about 1890...
and former Mayor James Michael Curley.
Timilty died on October 2, 1980 in Bal Harbour, Florida
Bal Harbour, Florida
Bal Harbour is a village in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The population was 3,305 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Bal Harbour is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of...
.