BELFAST — It was standing room only as dozens of supporters and colleagues gathered in the Waldo County Sheriff’s Office in recognition of newly-elected Sheriff Jason W. Trundy, who was officially sworn in at the lively ceremony Tuesday morning.  

The Jan. 3 event included more than a dozen law enforcement officers from various agencies, including Belfast Police Chief Robert Cormier. 

The ceremony concluded a long year of campaigning for the position, a race that saw him face off with Searsport Police Chief Todd Boisvert. 

“We’re here to celebrate a year of a lot of work,” Sheriff Trundy said. “Winning this election means a lot to Matt [Curtis, newly named chief deputy], we talked about it again this morning. Matt and I have had nearly the same tenure here at the Sheriff’s Office. My entire 28 year career has been here at the Sheriff’s Office; Matt’s entire law enforcement career has been here, just short of 28 years. This department and this county and the people that work here, and the people we work with, mean a tremendous amount to us. We couldn’t be anymore honored to serve as your sheriff and your chief deputy, so thank you for being here.” 

Trundy recognized several individuals in his life that were key to helping him get where he is today, including former Belfast Police Chief Bob Keating, former [WSO] Sheriff Scott Story,  newly-retired Sheriff Jeffrey Trafton, and his high school sweetheart and wife of over 30 years, Lorraine. 

“Before we get into any of the swearings-in or badge pinnings, I have to give credit to the person that is absolutely, positively, why I’m here today,” glancing at his wife, seated in the second row. “That’s my wife, Lorraine.” 

Sheriff Trundy told the crowd that at the end of February, he and Lorraine will be celebrating their 35th wedding anniversary.

“You want to talk about somebody’s kindness and strength guiding you along the way. She certainly is the epitome of that, and I thank her very much.”

Trundy was sworn in by Irene Blood, who performed the same ceremony for former WC Sheriffs Jeffrey Trafton and Scott Story. 

Blood then administered the oath, first reading a line, before having Trundy repeat after her.

“I do swear that I will support the constitution of the United States and of this State, so long as I continue to be a citizen thereof, so help me God. I do swear that I will faithfully discharge, to the best of my abilities, the duties incumbent on me as sheriff for the County of Waldo, according to the constitution and the laws of this State, so help me God.”

Sheriff Trundy was promptly pinned with his new badge by his wife. 

Freshly promoted Chief Deputy Matt Curtis went to the podium next, to say a few words before being pinned with his new badge. 

Curtis credited his start in law enforcement to former Sheriff John Ford, who served as sheriff from 1990-1998, and who passed away in 2018. 

“I’m really happy to work for this department. I’m really proud of the work that we do and the citizens that we serve. I was born here, I was raised here, I believe in this model and I believe in this community, and I want it to be better for all of us. 

“When I did first start, Bob Jones, Jonesy, was the chief deputy, and he immediately took me under his wing, certainly treated me like a son when I was going to college. I’d go to dinner there, we’d go to Patriots games together. He certainly was a great mentor to me in this role. 

“I still maintain a very close relationship with his daughter and son-in-law to this day and that’s why I’ve asked Lisa today, to pin me with [former] Chief Deputy Jonesey’s badge. That meant a lot to me for her to do that. I’m very thankful for the opportunities, professionally, Jason and Sheriff Trafton… or Jeff,” Curtis corrected himself, to laughter from the crowd. 

“I’m very thankful for the guys that I’ve worked with along my career, you know, we’ve sweat together, we’ve bled together, we’ve cried together and it’s been quite a ride. I’m looking forward to giving back as much as I can, as much as I still have in me,” he said.

As for any specific words he has for the residents of Waldo County, Trundy had this to say:

“I would echo the same things that I said to this crowd; We’re honored to be here, we’re honored to have served for as long as we have, and we want to continue the good work that we have been doing. We’re excited about the future. We’re looking forward to he next four years, and I just want to say thank you to everybody who supported us in this last year. We’re looking forward to getting to work.”

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com