Ed Deveau

Ed Deveau is the former Police Chief of the Watertown Police Department who, on April 19, 2013, led state police, federal agencies, and surrounding communities’ officers in a 20-hour search for convicted Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. His strategic leadership during this critical period is a notable example of effective crisis management.

Originally from Watertown, Massachusetts, Deveau started his career in law enforcement after graduating from the FBI National Academy Program Session. He was a member of the Northeast Homeland Security Regional Advisory Council from 2014 to 2018. During his 32-year tenure with the Watertown Police Department, he spent 14 years as Police Chief. Under his leadership, Watertown was recognized as one of the safest cities in the state. At the cusp of his retirement, Deveau was pivotal in leading the successful capture of Tsarnaev, ensuring the safety of all involved without any officer casualties.

Following the Boston Marathon bombing, Chief Deveau extended his retirement to attend the federal court proceedings daily during the bomber’s trial, demonstrating his dedication to the community. His ongoing support for the Boston bombing survivors includes participating in the Boston Marathon four times, once in 2014 with eleven fellow Watertown Police officers. Deveau has been featured on major television programs and publications such as CNN, Dateline, 60 Minutes, CSNBC, Fox, and ABC, and has been recognized through several awards, including those from the Middlesex Bar Association and the Theodore Mann Regional Leadership Award from the Greater Boston Federal Executive Board. He was also a special guest of Senator Edward J. Markey at President Obama’s State of the Union in 2014, and in 2015, visited the White House with his officers to receive the Medal of Valor.

Presently, Deveau is the Vice President and Chief Business Development Officer at Data-Vis, a MIT-based software and tech company that specializes in public safety improvements. His role involves leveraging technology to enhance law enforcement capabilities. Deveau also served as a consultant on the film "Patriots Day," which portrays the events surrounding the Boston Marathon bombing. His commitment to sharing his experiences continues to inspire and educate audiences about leadership during crises.