Reed V. Hillman
Encyclopedia
Reed V. Hillman is an American law enforcement officer and politician who was the Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor
for the 2006 gubernatorial election
in Massachusetts
, as well as a former Massachusetts State Representative. He currently lives in Sturbridge, Massachusetts
with his wife and two children.
in 1966. Hillman's father was a World War II
veteran and his mother stayed at home to take care of her four children, of which Reed was the oldest.
Hillman graduated from Suffolk Law School in 1974 and continued to pass the bar exam. The same year Hillman would begin his 25 year career with the Massachusetts State Police
.
In 1996, Hillman was named Superintendent of the State Police by Governor William Weld
. Hillman became responsible for more than 2,600 law enforcement personnel and an annual budget of over $200 million. Among Hillman's accomplishments as Superintendent were the creation of the state police affirmative action program and the construction of new statewide crime labs.
Though his service as superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police generally received praise, it also received some criticism from feminists. This criticism stems from a policy of placing pregnant female troopers on restricted duty.
in a special election. Hillman was successful and became vocal in the Massachusetts State Legislature. His most passionate issues were those of public safety, including his support for the Amber Alert
, expanding the State Police DNA database, and tougher drunk driving legislation.
In the State Legislature, Hillman represented the First Hampden District, consisting of the towns of Brimfield, Holland, Palmer and Wales, all in Hampden County; precincts B and C in the town of Ware, in Hampshire County; and the towns of Sturbridge and Warren, both in Worcester County. He declined to seek re-election to the seat in 2004, and was succeeded by Palmer Board of Selectman Chairman Todd M. Smola, a fellow Republican and Hillman's former aide.
In 2005, Hillman was suggested by Governor Mitt Romney
to be considered for the position of U.S. Marshal for Massachusetts. The following year the current Lieutenant Governor, and Republican Nominee for Governor, Kerry Healey
chose Hillman as her running mate for the 2006 election. The pair lost to Deval Patrick
and Tim Murray in the general election in November by a wide margin.
Hillman now teaches at Mount Wachusett Community College,in Gardner MA, Teaching Criminal Justice Courses.
Lieutenant governor
A lieutenant governor or lieutenant-governor is a high officer of state, whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction, but is often the deputy or lieutenant to or ranking under a governor — a "second-in-command"...
for the 2006 gubernatorial election
Massachusetts gubernatorial election, 2006
The Massachusetts gubernatorial election of 2006 was held on November 7, 2006. Former US Assistant Attorney General Deval Patrick was elected to a four-year term, from January 4, 2007 until January 6, 2011. In his first elected office, Patrick is the second African-American governor in the United...
in Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, as well as a former Massachusetts State Representative. He currently lives in Sturbridge, Massachusetts
Sturbridge, Massachusetts
Sturbridge is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. It is home to Old Sturbridge Village living history museum and other sites of historical interest such as Tantiusques.The population was 9,268 at the 2010 census...
with his wife and two children.
Pre-politics
Hillman was born and raised in Newton, graduating from Newton North High SchoolNewton North High School
Newton North High School, formerly Newton High School, is the larger and longer-established of two public high schools in Newton, Massachusetts, with about 2,000 students, the other being Newton South High School. It is located in the village of Newtonville...
in 1966. Hillman's father was a World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
veteran and his mother stayed at home to take care of her four children, of which Reed was the oldest.
Hillman graduated from Suffolk Law School in 1974 and continued to pass the bar exam. The same year Hillman would begin his 25 year career with the Massachusetts State Police
Massachusetts State Police
The Massachusetts State Police is an agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' Executive Office of Public Safety and Security responsible for criminal law enforcement and traffic vehicle regulation across the state...
.
In 1996, Hillman was named Superintendent of the State Police by Governor William Weld
William Weld
William Floyd Weld is a former governor of the US state of Massachusetts. He served as that state's 68th governor from 1991 to 1997. From 1981 to 1988, he was a federal prosecutor in the United States Justice Department...
. Hillman became responsible for more than 2,600 law enforcement personnel and an annual budget of over $200 million. Among Hillman's accomplishments as Superintendent were the creation of the state police affirmative action program and the construction of new statewide crime labs.
Though his service as superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police generally received praise, it also received some criticism from feminists. This criticism stems from a policy of placing pregnant female troopers on restricted duty.
Political career
In 1999, Hillman retired from the State Police and decided to run for State RepresentativeMassachusetts House of Representatives
The Massachusetts House of Representatives is the lower house of the Massachusetts General Court, the state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It is composed of 160 members elected from single-member electoral districts across the Commonwealth. Representatives serve two-year terms...
in a special election. Hillman was successful and became vocal in the Massachusetts State Legislature. His most passionate issues were those of public safety, including his support for the Amber Alert
AMBER Alert
An AMBER Alert or a Child Abduction Emergency is a child abduction alert bulletin in several countries throughout the world, issued upon the suspected abduction of a child, since 1996...
, expanding the State Police DNA database, and tougher drunk driving legislation.
In the State Legislature, Hillman represented the First Hampden District, consisting of the towns of Brimfield, Holland, Palmer and Wales, all in Hampden County; precincts B and C in the town of Ware, in Hampshire County; and the towns of Sturbridge and Warren, both in Worcester County. He declined to seek re-election to the seat in 2004, and was succeeded by Palmer Board of Selectman Chairman Todd M. Smola, a fellow Republican and Hillman's former aide.
In 2005, Hillman was suggested by Governor Mitt Romney
Mitt Romney
Willard Mitt Romney is an American businessman and politician. He was the 70th Governor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007 and is a candidate for the 2012 Republican Party presidential nomination.The son of George W...
to be considered for the position of U.S. Marshal for Massachusetts. The following year the current Lieutenant Governor, and Republican Nominee for Governor, Kerry Healey
Kerry Healey
Kerry Murphy Healey was the 70th Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts. She served from 2003 to 2007 with Governor Mitt Romney. She was the 2006 Republican nominee for Governor of Massachusetts, losing to Democrat Deval Patrick in November 2006...
chose Hillman as her running mate for the 2006 election. The pair lost to Deval Patrick
Deval Patrick
Deval Laurdine Patrick is the 71st and current Governor of Massachusetts. A member of the Democratic Party, Patrick served as an Assistant United States Attorney General under President Bill Clinton...
and Tim Murray in the general election in November by a wide margin.
Hillman now teaches at Mount Wachusett Community College,in Gardner MA, Teaching Criminal Justice Courses.