Sheriff Joseph D. McDonald Jr.



Sheriff Joseph D. McDonald Jr. was elected in November 2004 and sworn into office by Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney on January 5, 2005. McDonald is the 30th High Sheriff of Plymouth County. An office first created in 1692.

Sheriff McDonald became the county's top law enforcement official in his first bid for public office. Prior to
his election, he served for eight years as an Assistant District Attorney for Plymouth County, prosecuting cases daily in the Superior and District Courts. In addition to supervising all criminal cases in the Plymouth court, Sheriff McDonald also was responsible for child support enforcement actions initiated by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. He made history when he became the first prosecuting attorney to become Sheriff in the department's 313 year existence.


Four members of the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department competed in the 2007 PCSD TOP GUN Championship at the Brockton Police Shooting Range. Knee-deep in snow, Captain Bob Bethoney determined Deputy Tony Melendez beat out Deputy Sgt. Arthur Short for this year’s title.

L to R: 2006 winner BCI Deputy Bill Rovelto, 2007 TOP GUN Deputy Tony Melendez along with finalist Sheriff McDonald and runner-up Deputy Sgt. Arthur Short.


Among Sheriff McDonald's professional associations are memberships in the Southeast Massachusetts Prosecutors Association, the Plymouth District Bar Association and the Plymouth County Police Officers Association. He is also a member of the Massachusetts and Federal Bar.

In his first three years in office, Sheriff McDonald has restored professionalism and morale. He manages the department in a fiscally responsible manner, making certain that taxpayer dollars are spent solely on appropriate items and programs.

Sheriff McDonald is committed to protecting the citizens in the communities and neighborhoods in which he was born and raised. A graduate of Marshfield High School, he received his degrees from the University of Massachusetts and Suffolk University Law School.

Joe resides in Kingston with his wife and two daughters. An avid history buff, Sheriff McDonald has taught American History and Criminal Justice at Quincy College in Plymouth.


Sheriff Joseph D. McDonald with Dr. Henry Kissinger

Sheriff Joseph McDonald with Lou Ferrigno (The Hulk)
Sheriff's 1968 Pontiac Firebird


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Check out our New Vehicles for Plymouth Co. Sheriff's BCI Unit on YouTube!

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Upcoming Events

Brockton, MA
Brockton Holiday Parade
Saturday 11/29/08
TBA


Plymouth, MA
Kiwanis Historic Christmas
Friday 12/05/08
Fingerprints
5-9pm

East Bridgewater , MA
East Bridgewater Christmas Parade
Saturday 12/06/08
11am Start


Plymouth, MA
Entergy Children’s Christmas
Saturday 12/06/08
Fingerprints
1-3pm

Whitman, MA
WinterFest
Police Station
Sunday 12/07/08
Fingerprints
3-5:30pm

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