By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
WASHBURN, Maine — Town Council unanimously approved a new police chief for the Washburn Police Department on March 19, but the man selected to fill the position left vacant following the retirement of Chief Doug Conroy earlier this winter is no stranger to the department.
Prior to being selected as Conroy’s replacement, Roy Guidry Jr. served as an officer with the department for the past three and a half years.
“Prior to that, I worked with the Limestone Police Department,” said Guidry.
Originally from New Orleans, Guidry has lived in Maine since his father moved the family here several years ago.
“We’ve lived in The County for about 25 years. My father’s a minister. We moved to Madawaska when I was in high school,” he said.
Law enforcement is Guidry’s second career. For 17 years he worked with his hands, in the metal fabrication business.
“I was an iron worker, did metal fabricating. I was looking for a career change,” said Guidry, adding he went on to obtain the necessary training to become a police officer. “I graduated the 19th basic law enforcement training academy.”
Guidry, who lives in Presque Isle with his wife and 5-year-old son, said he’s grateful for the opportunity to serve the community in a new capacity.
“It comes with some changes in schedule. I’ll miss some of the contacts in the evening but am looking forward to future things as well,” he said.
Guidry will oversee four others at the WPD.
“I’ll be supervising four reserve officers: Neal Ouellette, Ethan Doody, Luke Blackstone and Ed Dube,” said Guidry.
In his spare time, he likes to hunt, fish and golf.
“I like to get outdoors. There’s lots to do around here,” he said.
He said, in general, Washburn is a quiet community but the department works to prepare for the unexpected.
“We recently took part in an active shooter scenario at the high school. It went well. The kids and staff took it seriously,” said Guidry.
He credited his predecessor for making it such a smooth transition.
“Doug was a great mentor to everyone who works here. For the year and a half prior to his leaving, he worked on the transition, teaching me everything I needed to know. He also told me he’s just a phone call away, if I need something,” said Guidry. “I couldn’t have asked for a better friend and teacher.”
