Bruce W. Higgins, Jr.

Detective Higgins was first appointed to the Boston Police Department on November 9, 1998 as a Boston Police Cadet, serving in several assignments. He was appointed to the Boston Police Academy as a Student Officer on October 20, 2003, graduating as a Police Officer on May 22, 2004. His first permanent assignment was to District C-11, followed by the Youth Violence Strike Force in 2007. He was rated Detective on August 11, 2012 and assigned to C-11 Detectives. He was assigned to the Youth Violence Strike Force on March 16, 2013 and was assigned to that unit at the time of his passing.

The list of commendations, both internally and externally, for Detective Higgins is extensive. He received commendations and accolades for his dedicated service as a Police Officer and as a Detective from the community and by those he served with. Numerous commendations noted a significant number of firearms removed from the streets of Boston, clearly making a positive impact on public safety in Boston.

He received a number of Commissioner Commendations for those efforts, as well as for his contributions to warrant investigations of high priority violence offenders, along with fellow investigators at the Youth Violence Strike Force. Also with his fellow Officers at the Youth Violence Strike Force, they received a Unit Citation at the Boston Police Relief Association Annual Ball and an internal Unit Citation for their efforts following the Boston Marathon Bombings. In addition, Detective Higgins received the Massachusetts Police Association 2011 Medal of Valor and the prestigious Trooper George L. Hanna Medal of Valor.

Detective Higgins was highly regarded by those he worked with, his supervisors and all who knew him, both within the Department and by those we serve.