Greenland post office to be named for late Police Chief Michael Maloney

GREENLAND — A bill naming the post office in town for late Police Chief Michael Maloney was signed over the weekend by President Joe Biden, according to an announcement by Rep. Chris Pappas, D-New Hampshire.

Maloney served as a law enforcement officer for 26 years, including 12 as the chief of the Greenland Police Department before he was killed in the line of duty, eight days before his scheduled retirement. He was 48.

Pappas's legislation to rename the post office for Maloney had passed the House in December.

Maloney received recognitions, including the Fraternal Order of Police Medal of Honor; New Hampshire Chiefs of Police Medal of Honor; Medal of Honor by the town of Greenland, NH; New England Chiefs of Police Association Medal of Valor; and the Career Achievement Award from the New Hampshire Congressional Law Enforcement Panel.

Born and raised in North Hampton, Maloney graduated from Winnacunnet High School. Following high school, he enlisted in the Army Reserves, served as a drill inspector, graduated from the New Hampshire Police Academy, and earned his bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Hesser College.

Maloney began his law enforcement career as a part-time officer in Rye, later becoming a full-time officer with the North Hampton Police Department, where he was promoted to chief of police in 1997. In 2000, he assumed the role of chief of the Greenland Police Department, serving until he was tragically killed in the line of duty on April 12, 2012, during a drug raid operation with the New Hampshire Attorney General's Drug Task Force. In his final moments, he heroically pulled wounded officers to safety before being fatally wounded himself.

Earlier this month, Pappas delivered remarks on the House floor to honor the life and legacy of Maloney, to share the impact he had on his community and the officers he oversaw, and to urge his colleagues to support this legislation.