Joseph J. Leonard

Leonard was born on May 8, 1876 in Jamaica Plain. He dropped out of The English High School after one year to go work as a lawyer and accountant.[1][2]

Leonard ran for the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1902, but lost by 250 votes.[2] He ran again in 1903. On election night, Leonard and his opponent, Walter E. Henderson, were tied with 1,744 votes. After a recount, Leonard was declared the victory by 8 votes.[3] He ran for the 8th Suffolk District seat in the Massachusetts Senate in 1906, but lost to Republican Frank Seiberlich 6,686 votes to 5,390.[4] He was a member of the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention of 1917. In 1924, Leonard became an assistant district attorney under Thomas C. O'Brien.[2] In 1934 he was appointed chairman of the Boston Finance Commission by Governor Joseph B. Ely. His right to the position was challenged by his predecessor, Frank A. Goodwin, who remained on the board.[5] The committee voted 4 to 1 against Goodwin's motion to request a legal ruling on the dispute from the Massachusetts Attorney General and Leonard became chairman.[6] During his tenure on the Commission, Leonard sought the settlement of a $85,000 claim against former Mayor James Michael Curley, despite Curley's threat of a libel suit.[2]

On December 27, 1934, outgoing Governor Ely appointed Leonard to a five year term as Boston Police Commissioner.[7] He was opposed by Ely's successor James Michael Curley. Leonard resigned on February 19, 1935, one day before the Massachusetts Governor's Council was to begin hearing's on Curley's request to remove him from office. Curley accepted the resignation effective February 23.[8] At 58 days, Leonard has the shortest tenure as Boston Police Commissioner.[2]

After his resignation as police commissioner, Leonard stated that he did not intend to accept another government position and returned to his law practice.[8] He died on August 20, 1962 at Lemuel Shattuck Hospital following a brief illness.[2]