Page 6 - FE Blue Spring 2019

‘He made the world a better

Tom Quin, who went from the neighborhoods of Malden to the highest levels of the war on drugs, earned a
reputation as a superb investigator and an even better man. Even after being diagnosed with a relentless cancer,
Tom -- known as TQ, or Quinna, to colleagues and friends -- kept working tirelessly to take the poision of illegal
opioids and other narcotics off Massachusetts streets. Through Tom’s vision and leadership, the MSP several
years ago formed the Transportation Drug Unit, a task force focusing on the northeastern part of the state and
the Merrimack Valley, which was so successful that the Department has replicated in other regions of the state.
In 2017, Tom -- by then well into his battle against his disease and not retreating one inch from his other, older
fight against drugs -- was honored by the Office of National Drug Control Policy as the top narcotics task force
commander in the country. Detective Lieutenant Thomas Quin died on Saturday, March 23. His legacy lives still,
and always will. We asked four of Tom’s friends and colleauges to offer memories of him.
Detective Lt. (Ret.) Thomas Coffey

irst and foremost, Tommy Quin loved his family, friends and the Massachusetts State
FPolice.
Quinny, or TQ as most called him, was happiest when he was with his family, and as
much as he loved the job, he always kept his priorities in order. Everyone in West Newbury
loved Tommy—he was selfless, friendly and generous to everyone he met. He worked
extremely hard to provide for his family.
When I think of the 4th of July I think of Tommy Quin. Tommy would invite dozens of
people over to an old-fashioned celebration. Hamburgers, hot dogs, steak tips, salads, ice
cream and drinks. He treated my kids and the other kids like they were his own, making
each one feel special, concerned only that everyone was having a great time.
An all-day whiffle ball game would ensue and Tommy would make sure all the younger
kids were included. He would run around for hours at full speed and was tireless. Later on,
there would be a fireworks show! When I see fireworks
‘There are untold or a wiffleball game, it is TQ whom I think of. Tom Quin was honored
Tommy was a great trooper, and even a better
numbers of person than he was a trooper. He was compassionate, as the nation’s top drug
thoughtful, funny, and fiercely loyal to his friends and
cop in 2017.
people who are family. The troopers and civilians in Tommy’s unit
respected, admired, and – most importantly – loved
walking around him. I have never seen a tighter group of people anywhere, I have never seen a unit
where the members loved and respected their boss as much as TQ’s people loved
today who are not and respected him. The feeling was mutual: Tommy led by example and managed
his unit with compassion, and he truly loved the officers who worked for him.
In the six years that Tommy battled cancer, I never once heard him complain. He
addicts because of always was more concerned about others than himself.
When I think of Tommy Quin, I also think about what a great state trooper he was.
people like There has never been a better drug investigator on the Massachusetts State Police,
Tommy Quin.’ and we will probably never see another like him. He combined technology with old-
fashioned police work. Tommy was laser-focused on any case he was working, and
he was playing chess when the bad guys were often playing checkers. He received
and made phone calls 24/7 because that’s what he needed to do to catch dope
dealers. It was his second passion after his family and friends.
Tommy saw how much the opioid crisis was affecting Massachusetts and dedicated his professional life to eradicate
opioids and other illegal drugs. Under Tommy’s leadership, his unit made the largest seizures of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine
and currency in the state.
Tommy’s legacy may be all of the people who did not become addicted to opiates or illegal drugs because of his
dedication to duty. There are untold numbers of people who are walking around today who are not addicts because of
people like Tommy Quin.
At the end of his life, Tommy took great comfort knowing that his State Police Family would continue to watch over his
family. Those of us who knew Tommy were lucky to call him a friend. He made the world a better place for all of us and
left a legacy that is unmatched.

6 French and Electric Blue