A long-ago photo of the New Bedford Police Department has helped connect a local police legacy with a new generation of the family.
In 2019, the New Bedford Police Department shared a photograph for #ThrowbackThursday showing members of the department in 1953.
Among the officers pictured was then-Deputy Chief Owen Cox, standing in the first row, second from the left, noticeably dressed in a white suit.
At the time, it was simply a glimpse into the department’s past. But the photograph caught the attention of Cox’s family—and years later, it helped lead to a memorable visit to the NBPD.
A few weeks ago, Cox’s great-great-granddaughter, Cara, made the trip from Grosse Pointe, Michigan, to New Bedford for a firsthand look at the department her ancestor once served.
During her visit, Officer Stephanie Connolly and Detective Nathaniel Almeida welcomed Cara to police headquarters and Station 2, giving her an inside look at what it’s like to be a New Bedford police officer.
Cara had the opportunity to check out the department’s motorcycles, handle some of the equipment officers use, and climb inside a police cruiser. She also got a closer look at the tools and technology that are part of modern police work and learned more about the many different responsibilities that come with the job.
For Cara, however, the visit was about more than getting a behind-the-scenes look at policing.
It was a chance to walk in the footsteps of her great-great-grandfather and learn more about his connection to the New Bedford Police Department.
And remarkably, it all traces back to a single photograph shared on social media years ago.
“Thanks for spending the day with us, Cara!” the department said, while also thanking Officer Connolly and Detective Almeida for helping make the visit a memorable one.
Sometimes, a photograph from the past is more than just a snapshot of history. Sometimes, it has a story still waiting to unfold.
