NEWBURYPORT — The City Council on Monday unanimously confirmed the appointment of Matthew Simons as the city’s new marshal, essentially ending a process that began when Marshal Mark Murray announced his retirement in April.
Moments after city councilors led the audience in a standing ovation for the longtime law enforcement officer, Simons came to the podium and stressed his commitment to the community he has served since 2002.
Simons, 47, went on to say that during his time at the Newburyport Police Department, he has committed himself to actively listening to the community along with what’s going on around him.
“This is just the beginning,” Simons said.
Moving forward, fostering good relationships within his department as well as in the community would be a top priority, he added.
“You have my commitment to be present and transparent,” Simons said. “I thank you for your approbation tonight.”
In late August, Murray was feted by family, friends, co-workers and city officials at a retirement party at Port Vida restaurant on Center Street. Murray joined the department in 1993 and succeeded Marshal Thomas Howard in February 2016. Although retiring in May, Murray has been serving as acting marshal pending approval of his successor.
Simons has been serving as operations lieutenant since 2016.
In September, Mayor Sean Reardon announced Simons as his choice to succeed Murray after a search committee, which included former Essex County Sheriff Frank Cousins and other luminaries, had presented him with three finalists.
In 2018, Simons was honored for performing lifesaving medical care to a motorist while off duty after he watched what looked like a driverless car drift across the yellow line and slam into a pole in Groveland Square.
Simons had been on his way to attend his daughter’s basketball game that night, but he reversed direction, then told his wife to call 911. He got out of his car, pulled the unconscious driver out of the damaged vehicle and began performing CPR.
Simons’ quick intervention was credited for the person’s survival.
Minutes before the City Council vote, Simons’ father-in-law, Hill Street resident Tim Loring, relayed the story.
He said Simons’ desire to help is something he carries with him, wherever he goes.
“He is an outstanding husband, father and son-in-law. We’re fortunate to have him in our family,” he said.
A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps., Simons holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, as well as a master’s degree in executive leadership. He also participated in the FBI National Academy and the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association Trilogy.
He will be officially sworn in at City Hall at 10 a.m. on Thursday. At the same ceremony, Sgt. Gregory Whitney will be promoted to lieutenant, while Officer Ryan Cutter will be bumped up to sergeant.
In his written update to the City Council, Reardon said Whitney and Cutter will be excellent additions to police leadership.
In 2023, Murray earned $201,331 while Simons earned $154,940, according to city records.