Thank You, Sgt. Judy Racow

Amidst all of the commotion in the world of the past few weeks, we wish to acknowledge the recent retirement and outstanding career of long-time Winthrop Police Sergeant Judy Racow.

It’s hard to believe that it was more than 27 years ago that Judy Racow joined the Winthrop P.D. Time flies!

Shortly after Sgt. Racow joined the local police force, she often went undercover for drug investigations, one of the most dangerous assignments for any police officer.

Her harrowing experience in 1995, when a drug suspect tried to kidnap her and she struggled with the suspect and ultimately assisted with his arrest, earned her the highest medal that can be bestowed upon a Massachusetts police officer, the Trooper George L. Hanna Memorial Award for Bravery.

Upon receiving the award, Sgt. Racow said, “I was faced with a scary situation, the one where every officer battles with the question of whether or not they will be going home that night. You’re scared and emotionally upset, but then you do it all over again. It was a bad situation. I went home that night, and the bad guy went to jail. It’s an honor to receive this dedication in the name of all law enforcement officers, not only for the town of Winthrop, but as a whole nationwide for the work we do.”

She is the only officer from Winthrop and one of only 19 women to be the recipient of the Hanna Award since its inception in the 1980s.

Sgt. Racow, who was the first-ever female detective for the Winthrop P.D., received numerous other commendations and awards for bravery and actions beyond the call of duty. She received the Narcotics Enforcement Officers Award in 1996 from the New England Narcotic Officers Association. She also received the local department’s community service award in 1996, having organized the Winthrop Police Department holiday toy drive for many years.

Most recently in November, 2019, The Horses and Heroes Foundation donated a horse to The United States Park Police in her name as a living memorial for her act of bravery in 1995.

Judy Racow (who, we should note, is a military veteran who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom) epitomized the no-nonsense, straightforward police officer who brought to mind the Jack Webb character in the TV show Dragnet, “Just the facts, ma’am.”

Judy Racow served the people of our town with distinction, integrity, and professionalism during her entire tenure with the Winthrop Police Department. We know we join with all of our fellow residents in thanking Judy for her years of dedicated service and in wishing her the best in her retirement years.