Former Waltham Police Chief to Receive Retirement Benefits

The Waltham Retirement Board on Thursday unanimously approved paying former Waltham Police Chief Thomas LaCroix retirement benefits. 

LaCroix, who was convicted of assaulting his wife (misdemeanor) stemming from a June 2012 incident at his Maynard home, resigned from his post soon after he was sentenced in July. LaCroix later applied for retirement benefits from the city.

However, the board has not yet specified how much LaCroix will receive. That calculation will be made by the end of November, according to Waltham Retirement Director Joseph Juppe.

The board made the decision during a brief closed-door session on Thursday afternoon, which LaCroix and his wife, Andrea, attended. 

"He's happy to move on," said LaCroix's attorney, Nicholas Poser, after the meeting. 

DECISION DETAILS (The written decision of the board was penned by the board's attorney, Michael Sacco)

·      The board, in its decision, concluded LaCroix’s crimes did not break laws in connection with his job as a police officer.

·      According to the decision, LaCroix argued that he was “exclusively” off duty during the incident and that his actions were not “misconduct.”

·      Also, Sacco concluded case law requires him t narrowly apply the are in the context of the actual crimes he was convicted of and not the crimes of which he was charged. LaCroix was convicted of tow misdemeanor counts of two counts of assault and battery.

·      Despite the decision, Sacco dismissed LaCroix’s argument that denying benefits would punish Andrea. Sacco said LaCroix is responsible for the raising the issue of whether he would be denied benefits.

·      Despite granting the benefits, the board said it’s decision does not condone LaCroix attacking his wife.

·      The 13-page decision is available to the public at the Waltham Retirement Board in Waltham City Hall.