John L. Wells

John L. Wells, Sr., 71, a retired Boston Police Officer, died Friday, September 28, 2012 at the Beth Israel Medical Center in Boston surrounded by his loving family and friends. Born in Boston, he was raised and educated in Boston and was a graduate of Boston Trade School and Southern New Hampshire University. He loved his family, his children, his law enforcement family and his community. He worked as a Police Officer for the City of Boston for over 32 years, and retired in 1997. John was appointed to the Boston Police Department on February 14, 1968, and was assigned to the Tactical Patrol Force (TPF) during busing, and the TPF2 (also known as the "Soul Patrol" or "Black Tac") after busing. As part of the TPF and TPF2, he was responsible for canine training. He was a member of the Massachusetts Association of Minority Law Enforcement Officers (MAMLEO), the National Black Police Association (NBPA), the Boston Police Patrolmen's Union, and was a co-founder of the Massachusetts Association of Afro-American Police Officers (MAAAP). He was also the first minority instructor at the Boston Police Academy, and co-founder of the Massachusetts Nubian Voice of Experience in Public Safety. He was also involved in the development of numerous community based groups, such as The George L. Ruffin Society, named after the first African-American Judge in Massachusetts. John retired from the Boston Police Department in 1997. He was also a veteran of the Army National Guard. A member of the Jubilee Church in Boston, in his free time, he enjoyed fishing, shopping, traveling and spending time on Cape Cod.

He is survived by his children, John L. Wells Jr. and his wife Gina, of Stoughton. Karen Jordan of Boston, Derique Wells of Norton, and Lohn States of Brockton. He was the brother of Marjorie Perkins of Randolph, Arlene Wells, Eleanor Perkins and Ernest "Gene" Wells all of Boston and the late Clara Wells Glass, Louise Wells Corbin, Ruth Wells Hearns, Fred Wells and William Wells. He was also beloved "Poppy" to 9 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held at the Jubilee Christian Church, 1500 Blue Hill Avenue, Mattapan, MA on Tuesday, October 9th at 11:00 AM. Visiting Hours prior to the services from 9:30-11:00 AM. Interment to follow at Evergreen Cemetery, 526 Plain Street, Stoughton, MA 02072. Flowers should be sent directly to Farley Funeral Home, 358 Park Street Stoughton, MA 02072. Donations in John's memory may be made to the Joslin Diabetes Clinic, 1 Joslin Place, Boston, MA 02115.