Published in the July 7, 2017 edition
TAMI GOODHUE means a lot to the City of Melrose, and officials let her know it last week. From the left are state Rep. Paul Brodeur (partially obscured), Mayor Rob Dolan, Ward 6 Alderman Peter Mortimer, Police Chief Mike Lyle and Tami Goodhue.
MELROSE — As a cop, Tami Goodhue saw the best of the city, and the worst. Last week, the city honored her for her time as a local law enforcer and for being one super brave woman.
In City Hall Thursday, Police Chief Michael Lyle presented a new badge to retired police officer Tami Goodhue. This was an official recognition of not only a new name but also a new stage of life for Sergeant Goodhue, who served on the force for 24 years under the name James.
According to Mayor Rob Dolan, “Tami came to us about a month ago and asked for a new badge, and it seemed appropriate to recognize this moment. Many Melrose residents, myself included, remember her as a police officer, but what we never saw was the struggle she was going through privately—and the courage it took for her to come out as transgender. When we presented her with her new badge she spoke movingly of that experience, and of the members of the community who reached out to her, helped her, or simply accepted her for who she truly is.
“I am happy that we were able to provide an opportunity for Tami to join with her family, friends, and colleagues to mark this new chapter in her life and recognize her many years of service to the City of Melrose,” the mayor continued.
During remarks in the Aldermanic Chamber, with friends and family in the audience, Tami said that the city’s nickname — “One community open to all” — is just that. She said Melrose “is a fantastic place to live and a fantastic place to walk the street.”
“This,” Tami continued about the sentiment behind the ceremony, “is about community, not just about LGBT. As long as we have people who want to work hard and who are willing to give back, we will be just fine. I see a lot of people here who want to make sure everyone has the right to live the life they want.”
She had nothing but high praise for the current Melrose Police Department, saying that under Lyle, “we have the best department I’ve ever seen in existence in the city of Melrose.”
