Greenland Post Office named in honor of slain Police Chief Michael Maloney

The U.S Post Office in Greenland has been named in honor of the late Police Chief Michael Maloney, who served as the town’s chief for 12 years before he was shot and killed in the line of duty in 2012.

The post office at 609 Portsmouth Ave. will now be called the Chief Michael Maloney Post Office Building after President Joe Biden signed a bill sponsored by U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas, D-N.H., into law last weekend.

The bill was passed by Congress on Dec.19.

Maloney was a 48-year-old veteran of the Army Reserves who had served in law enforcement for 26 years. He was just eight days away from retirement when he was killed on April 12, 2012, while serving a drug-related search warrant with members of the Greenland Police Department and the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Drug Task Force.

The suspected drug dealer, Cullen Mutrie, was in the home and opened fire. Four other officers were also wounded in the hail of gunfire. Maloney raced to the front porch and pulled one of the wounded officers to safety before returning to his cruiser to take cover. Mutrie fired on Maloney from a basement window when he poked his head up over the hood.

Mutrie later shot and killed his estranged girlfriend, Brittany Tibbetts, inside the house before turning the gun on himself.

The tragedy sent shockwaves through the small town of Greenland and New Hampshire’s law enforcement community.

Newmarket Police Lt. Scott Kukesh, who was the wounded officer saved by Maloney, said he was pleased to see that the post office would be renamed to keep his memory alive.

“I think it’s a wonderful dedication to Chief Maloney. It’s something that will be honored for generations to come. I know what he did for me and my family and my family in law enforcement, but future generations will see his name and if they don’t know him they’ll research him and learn about his dedication to service and commitment and certainly to the town of Greenland,” Kukesh said.

Greenland Police Chief Tara Laurent, who has served as chief since Maloney’s death and led the department through the difficult days, weeks and months that followed the shooting, praised the decision to designate the post office in his name.

“The staff at Greenland Police Department and Chief Maloney’s family and friends are all honored that the USPS in Greenland will be named after Mike. Although it’s been more than 12 years since his tragic death, it is a reminder that we will never forget his sacrifice. He gave everything to the Greenland community, and we will always be grateful,” she said.

Pappas encouraged his colleagues to support the legislation when he honored Maloney’s life and legacy while speaking on the House floor. He described the fallen chief as a “dedicated public servant, community leader, and law enforcement professional who made New Hampshire proud.”

“His tragic death in the line of duty is remembered to this day, as is his legacy as a leader who worked with purpose and passion to make it safer and stronger. I’m pleased the president has signed this legislation into law. It is a small token of our gratitude that we name this post office in Chief Maloney’s honor to remind future generations of his tremendous service and ultimate sacrifice on behalf of the community he loved. Today, my thoughts and the thoughts of all Granite Staters are with Chief Maloney’s family, all those who knew him, and members of New Hampshire’s law enforcement community throughout the state,” Pappas said in his remarks.

Maloney grew up in North Hampton and was a graduate of Winnacunnet High School. He began his law enforcement career as a part-time officer in Rye. He was later hired as a full-time officer in North Hampton, where he was promoted to chief in 1997. He became Greenland’s chief in 2000.

Maloney’s recognitions include the Fraternal Order of Police Medal of Honor; New Hampshire Chiefs of Police Medal of Honor; a Medal of Honor by the town of Greenland; New England Chiefs of Police Association Medal of Valor; and a Career Achievement award from the New Hampshire Congressional Law Enforcement Panel.