Lieutenant Robert Dunn, born and raised in Southeastern, Massachusetts, has been happily married to his wife, Elizabeth, for 43 years. He raised two adult children, a nephew, and is raising an adopted grandson. He has three other grandchildren. He resides in Berkley, Massachusetts. His interest in serving started when he was 17 years old. He enlisted in the United States Army and was assigned to the 1/508th Airborne Infantry unit with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. After his enlistment, he returned to Massachusetts. He continued his military career with the Massachusetts Army National Guard at Camp Edwards on Joint Base Cape Cod, retiring after 26 years as a Sergeant First Class.

Lieutenant Dunn joined the Massachusetts Department of Corrections in August 1991 as a Correction Officer, working at MCI Norfolk, a medium-security facility in Norfolk, Massachusetts, that housed male inmates.

In November of 1995, he transferred to the Massachusetts Boot Camp in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, as a Drill Instructor at a short-term military-style shock incarceration program designed to prepare inmates for re-entry through strict discipline, physical training, and work details.

In September of 2005, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant at the Massachusetts Alcohol and Substance Abuse Center, also located in Bridgewater. It is a facility that houses civilly committed male patients participating in a 90-day detoxification program. He was the Inner Perimeter Security Commander, responsible for inmate risk assessments, security threat group management, urinalysis, evidence, all investigations, telephone monitoring, and court liaison.

In July of 2013, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and returned to MCI Norfolk as a facility supervisor until his retirement in 2016.

During Lieutenant Dunn’s 25-year career, he served the Massachusetts Department of Corrections in many roles, including guest Drill Instructor for recruit classes, Inner Perimeter Security Officer, Institution Training Officer, and Sergeant at the Employee Assistance Services Unit, where he served as the Military Peer Support Program Coordinator.

Some additional duties for the Massachusetts Department of Corrections started in May 1992. He served as a member of the Special Operations in a variety of teams, including the Tactical Response Team, Special Response Team, and Special Munitions and Chemical Agents. He participated in several security operations, the Democratic  National Convention, Boston Red Sox World Series security details, the New England Patriots security detail, Bio-Terrorism security detail, the Millennium detail, and several prison disturbances, both state and county.

In November 2009, he was the recipient of the Massachusetts Alcohol and Substance Abuse Center’s Employee of the Year Award and, subsequently, the Massachusetts Department of Corrections Employee of the Year Award at the annual Beyond Excellence awards ceremony.

In 2002, he joined the Massachusetts Department of Corrections Honor Guard. This was his chance to give back to his chosen profession. To honor the fallen Correction Officer and provide the family with final burial rites for their loved one’s service and dedication to public safety.

In February 2017, he joined the Correctional Peace Officers Foundation and rose through the ranks to the rank of Lieutenant.