On Tuesday, July 26 Middlesex Sheriff James V. DiPaola announced the appointment of Paul Norton as Special Sheriff. Norton, a 27-year veteran of the Middlesex Sheriff's Office, has been Superintendent of the Billerica House of Correction for the past 14 years.

"Superintendent Norton's dedicated service to public safety is unrivaled and deserves emulation and recognition," said Sheriff DiPaola. "His professionalism and integrity are prime examples of what we strive to achieve at the Middlesex Sheriff's Office. I am confident that he will excel in his new position."

Supt. Norton began his criminal justice career as a permanent correction officer at the Billerica House of Correction in 1980. He became a Shift Supervisor in 1984 and was promoted to Deputy Superintendent of the Billerica facility in 1988. In 1991 he was named Superintendent of the Billerica House of Correction.

"It is a culmination of a very long career in corrections," said Supt. Norton, "I'm very thankful. It gives me an opportunity to do a little coaching from a different position. I can step back and really see all aspects of the Middlesex Sheriff's Office."

Supt. Norton attended Northeastern University on a football scholarship, where he earned a bachelors degree in criminal justice. He went on to earn a masters degree in criminal justice.

Always a dedicated alumnus, Supt. Norton continuously supports his high school alma mater, Malden Catholic. His nephew is the family's third generation to attend the school. Supt. Norton was an offensive line football coach for 12 years at Malden Catholic before moving on to coach for 5 years at Nashua High School. Since 1994 he has coached the offensive line at Tewksbury High School and frequently volunteers his time at football camps in various communities across the state.

Supt. Norton, a Malden native, now lives in Tewksbury with his wife Margaret, who is a retired Assistant Deputy Superintendent in charge of the Middlesex Sheriff's Work Release Program.