Former Auburn Police Chief Richard “Dick” Small

The Auburn Police Department announced last week the passing of its former Chief, Richard “Dick” Small, who died recently at his home in Eustice.

Small was hired in December of 1979 by then-Chief Peter Mador. He joined the Auburn Police Department after working for two years as a Sergeant for the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff Lionel Cote.

A 1976 graduate of Edward Little High School, Small attended the University of Maine at Augusta and was a graduate of the 39th Municipal/County Basic Police School in Waterville.

Small worked his way up through the ranks. He served three years as a Patrol Officer, five years as a Corporal and seven years as a Detective, including a special assignment as a Maine Drug Enforcement Agent. He became Acting Sergeant over the APD’s Bureau of Criminal Investigations in 1994, then Deputy Chief in 1996. While serving as Deputy Chief, he attended the 194th Session of the FBI Law Enforcement Academy in Quantico, Virginia. He became Chief of Police in 1999, serving until his retirement in 2006.

“Dick Small was community-minded,” said Auburn Police Chief Phil Crowell. “He was kind, funny, and generous. Kids loved him. For years, he was Santa Claus at our annual ‘Blue Christmas’ event. Dick always made it a priority to help meet the needs of those who were less fortunate.”

The Auburn Police Department extends their deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.