The First To Serve

The “First to Serve” is a historic work covering the first ten years of the nations oldest state police agency from 1865 to 1875. Alcohol was the genesis for the first state police force and the primary reason why several other New England states looked to establish state police forces during the second half of the nineteenth century. Journey back in time as Ron Guilmette chronicles the lives and Civil War service of these first state police officers. The First To Serve describes the first decade of the Massachusetts State Police and the hardships and political turmoil the first constables faced enforcing the first alcohol prohibition in the nation for three dollars a day.