Sheriff Koutoujian Moves a Step Closer to Run for Congress

The campaign committee called “Koutoujian for Congress” allows the candidate to raise money for a campaign and hire campaign staff.

  Middlesex County Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian announced Thursday that he is opening a Congressional campaign committee account. The move is a serious indication that Koutoujian will run for U.S. Congress if Congressman Edward Markey wins the U.S. Senate special election next month. "I have dedicated my life to working on issues important to the people I have been honored to represent as a legislator and now as Sheriff.  If given the opportunity, I intend to fight for the people of the 5th Congressional district as their representative in Washington," said Koutoujian. "Throughout my career, I have focused on guaranteeing access to quality, affordable health care, enacting common sense measures to strengthen our economy, ensuring public …

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Middlesex Sheriff Peter Koutoujian Joins Gun Debate in D.C.

Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian was in Washington, D.C. Tuesday to attend a White House press conference calling for legislative action on Capitol Hill to reduce gun violence.

Sheriff Peter Koutoujian Visits Newton JCC

Koutoujian stopped by the Leventhan-Sidman Jewish Community Center last week to talk to senior citizens about the role of the Middlesex County Sheriff's Office and the danger of scams targeted toward seniors.

Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian recently stopped by Newton's Leventhal-Sidman Jewish Community Center to speak to senior citizens about the role of his office and how it affects Newton residents. Koutoujian explained much of the office's role in the state's correctional system as well as the programs offered to inmates.  In addition, Koutoujian visited the JCC to speak about phone scams that target senior citizens. In particular, Koutoujian highlighted the popular "grandson scheme." This involves scam callers contacting senior citizens and claiming that their grandson or granddaughter was involved in an accident or arrested in a foreign country. The caller then asks the senior citizen to wire money to help the grandchild. The …

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Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian Visits with Newton Rotary

Koutoujian stopped in Newton last week to talk about the programs his office provides for seniors and young students.

Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian made a stop in Newton last week to speak with the Newton Rotary Club about his role as sheriff and the programs his office provides to the community.  Koutoujian met spoke with a group of two dozen Rotary members and guests on February 26 at the Newton Marriott, Koutoujian's office said in a statement Tuesday. The meeting included a presentation about ongoing initiatives at the sheriff's office as well as programs for seniors and students. Koutoujian highlighted the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Youth Public Safety Academy (YPSA), which had 25 Newton children participate in 2012.  Koutoujian, a former state representative in the 10th Middlesex District, will be back in Newton tomorrow to speak with …

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Middlesex Sheriff Inaugurated; Details Improvement Plans

Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian was inaugurated at Bentley University in Waltham on Wednesday, Feb. 13.

Before he detailed plans to improve his agency, Peter J. Koutoujian was sworn into his first elected term as Middlesex County Sheriff on Wednesday, Feb. 13.  In front of a large audience of family, colleagues and friends, Koutoujian, a life-long Waltham resident and former state representative for Newton, took the oath of office during a 4 p.m. ceremony at the LaCava Center at Bentley University. Koutoujian was elected to the post in November 2012 to fill the remaining four years of a six-year term. Gov. Deval Patrick appointed Koutoujian in late 2010 after former sheriff James DiPaola took his own life.  Koutoujian, in a 25-minute speech, said he plans to boost correction officer wellness and hire more academy-trained officers. He said he…

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Middlesex County Sheriff Pays Off His Chowder Debt

Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian recently lost a bet over the AFC Championship game.

Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian followed through on his promise and delivered New England Clam Chowder to the Waltham-based RECH Beyond Domestic Violence on Tuesday, Jan. 29. According to the Sheriff’s Office, Koutoujian, who lives in Waltham, delivered the chowder to the domestic violence assistance organization to pay off the bet he made with Baltimore Sheriff John Anderson over the outcome of the AFC Championship football game during which the New England Patriots lost to the Baltimore Ravens.  The chowder will go to domestic violence victims. “REACH is an organization with whom I have had a long affiliation. While I may have lost the wager, there is no reason both REACH and House of Ruth Maryland should not be winners,” …

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Middlesex Sheriff Makes Friendly Bet on Patriots - Ravens Playoff Game

Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian has wagered on the Patriots/Ravens AFC Championship game happening this Sunday.

  What makes football even more exciting? How about a wager between two sheriffs?  That is the case for this Sunday's AFC Championship between the New England Patriots and the Baltimore Ravens. Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian and Baltimore City Sheriff John W. Anderson spoke by phone Friday and agreed to a friendly wager on the outcome of Sunday’s Patriots-Ravens AFC Championship Game, according to Koutoujian's office.  “It was great to speak with Sheriff Anderson today. I always enjoy having the opportunity to talk with my colleagues from other parts of the country,” said Sheriff Koutoujian. “He was clearly optimistic the Ravens will win Sunday, but I’ll take Tom Brady and Bill Belichick any day - especially this Sunday.” Should the…

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Middlesex Sheriff Responds to Inquiries on Political Future

Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian issued a statement on Jan. 11 in response to inquiries on whether he would run for the Middlesex County District Attorney's seat.

Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian is not ruling out a run to become the next Middlesex County District Attorney. In response to inquires on whether he would run to fill the seat Middlesex County District Attorney Gerry Leone plans to vacate, Koutoujian said in a statement, "never say never." “I love my job as Sheriff of Middlesex County and am focused on the work before me. One of my guiding principles has always been to never say never to any opportunity in which I can provide benefit to the people I serve," Koutoujian said in the statement. "But today, I’d just like to congratulate Gerry on what must have been a difficult decision and thank him for his service to Middlesex County." Koutoujian, a Waltham resident, was appointed to…

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Koutoujian Announces Top Leadership Changes at the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office

Appointments made as 33-year veteran and Special Sheriff Patrick Murphy Retires.

The following is a press release from Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian's office: Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian this week announced his appointment of Scott Brazis to the position of Special Sheriff. Brazis, who is currently the Superintendent of the Middlesex Jail in Cambridge, replaces Patrick Murphy who will retire this Friday after 33 years at the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office. “This day is bittersweet for me and the entire Middlesex Sheriff’s Office,” said Sheriff Koutoujian. “Patrick Murphy served with honor, fairness and integrity during his tenure at this institution. I am confident Scott Brazis will continue to lead in the same manner.” Brazis has over 28 years of experience working in various operational, investigative, …

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Newton Students Graduate from Youth Public Safety Academy

Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian visited the Newton YPSA students earlier this week and on Friday, the students graduated from the academy.

The following is a press release from the Middlesex County Sheriff's Office: Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian proudly recognized the Cambridge, Newton, Waltham and Watertown graduates of the 2012 Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Youth Public Safety Academy (YPSA) on Friday, August 24, 2012. The ceremony, which recognized some 146 children ages 9-11, was held at the Middlesex Sheriff’s Training Academy in Billerica. Of those who attended the academy this week, 42 cadets were from Cambridge, 25 were from Newton, 47 were from Waltham and 32 were from Watertown. This is the 13th year of the free academy. The eight-week academy is funded through revenues generated by the sheriff’s civil process division. Each week, youngsters from 2-4 …

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