Page 11 - March 2017

Lieutenant Robert Melia

Yes it’s the end of an era, but the legend lives on! On November 4th, 2016, Robert J. “Bib” Melia retired from
the Massachusetts State Police after 42 years. A proud member of the 59th R.T.T, Bib also worked for 2 years on
the Dennis, (Massachusetts) Police Department prior to entering the Massachusetts State Police Academy in 1975.
Although Bib retired out of Internal Affairs, he will be best remembered for his time as an innovative and successful
narcotics investigator. He joined the Barnstable County CPAC (as the MSPDU Cape and Islands was once known)
in 1977 as a narcotics officer. Bib was instrumental and was ahead of his time for his role in the formation of a multi-
jurisdictional drug task force aimed at investigating and interdicting illegal drug smuggling activity on Cape Cod in
1982. Back then, marijuana smuggling (and later cocaine smuggling) was a common occurrence along the coast of
Cape Cod. Bib has the distinction of being involved in investigations that led to the arrest of the infamous marijuana
and cocaine smuggler George Jung three times in three separate decades! Jung was immortalized in the movie “Blow”
and was played by the actor Johnny Depp. Unfortunately, Bib’s role in Jung’s arrests must have landed on the editing
room floor.

Bib was promoted to Sergeant and worked as such for a brief
time in the then Worcester CPAC Narcotics Unit. He returned
to the Cape in 1990. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1998
and in 2006 he became a Detective Lieutenant and the Unit
Commander of the MSPDU Cape and Islands. In 2011 he
brought his experience and common sense to Internal Affairs.

The Melia family has a proud multi-generational law
enforcement heritage and a proud history of service to this great
nation. Bib’s grandfather; Thomas J. Melia fought in Europe
with the United States Army during World War I. He returned
home and served on the Northbridge MA Police Department.
Bib’s father; Thomas J, Melia Jr., as a United States Marine,
landed and fought at Iwo Jima in World War II. Bib kept a
small clear bottle of Iwo Jima sand on his desk throughout his entire career. Former Marines in this unit, such as me and
Tpr. Jerry Donovan, as well as former U.S. Navy Petty officer 2nd Class Sgt. Rich Cosgrove, understood the hallowed
nature of that sacred ground where so many Marines and Naval personnel gave their lives. We often looked at that
bottle with respect and awe. After completing his service during WWII, Bib’s father returned home and joined the
Northbridge Police Department. He retired from the Northbridge Police Department as Chief of Police in 1988 after
40 years in law enforcement. Bib has three brothers. Thomas J. III retired as the Northbridge Chief of Police in 2006.
“Jack” retired after running the Department of Motor Vehicles in Connecticut for 35 years. “Jimmy” is a patrolman at
Barnstable PD (and a former Marine). Bib’s nephew Matthew (Jimmy’s son) is on Barnstable PD. Bib’s son Ryan is
on Orleans PD. And Bib’s daughter Melissa is a Probation Officer in Plymouth County.

Currently, in his retirement, Bib is assigned to State Police Sandwich where he is charged with helping to raise the next
generation of Melia cops. His grandson Jake and granddaughter Sage are on track for a future R.T.T.!

Those of us who have had the pleasure of working for and with Bib over the years will continue to miss him. He is
part of a vanishing breed. His intelligence, tenaciousness, and toughness will be sorely missed. The experience he
has gained and has passed down borne from the fact that he has literally “been there” and actually “done that” will be
missed as well. The stories about “the old days” and the “State Police Way” will also be missed. But mostly it is his
infectious laugh, his ability to see the humorous side of every situation, and the example he set in regards to taking
care of your people that will truly be missed the most.

Congratulations Bib! And smooth sailing…

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