12/17/2021
By Erin Caples

Garrett M. Sheehan 78, former adjunct faculty member, died on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021, due to complications from COPD, after an extended 25-year victory over cancer.

Garrett began his career as a chemistry teacher at Bishop Fenwick High School in Peabody in the early '70s. He continued his “Hobby of Teaching” for over 25 years as an adjunct faculty member with the Criminal Justice Departments of the University of Massachusetts Lowell and Middlesex Community College, along with teaching Crime Scene Investigative Procedures to Recruit Officers of the Lowell Police Recruit Academy. Garrett truly came alive while teaching – it was his passion – and any student who had Professor Sheehan knows to always follow “Sheehan’s Rule” when arriving at a crime scene.

He joined the Lowell Police Department as a patrol officer in 1978 and rose to the rank of captain in 1992. Garrett retired from the LPD in 2003. He was the recipient of several letters of citation and commendation during his 25 years of service. Prior to coming to Lowell, he worked with the Boston Police Department as a Criminalist in the Crime Laboratory Unit where he developed several innovative procedures for the analysis of physical evidence.

A graduate of the FBI National Academy, he has maintained membership in its Association for more than 36 years. He also held membership in the American Legion, the International Association for Identification, the Massachusetts Police Association, the St. Patrick School Alumni Association, the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the National Education Association, the East End Club, and the “Busted Knuckle” Car Club of Dracut.

A full obituary will appear in the Sunday Lowell Sun.

Friends may call at the O’Donnell Funeral Home, 276 Pawtucket St., Lowell on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021, from 4 to 7 p.m. His funeral will be celebrated Wednesday morning at his beloved St. Patrick Church, 282 Suffolk St. at 10 a.m. Interment to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, 90 River Road, Tewksbury. E-condolences/directions at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Due to COVID mandates, masks are required at all indoor services. In lieu of flowers, people are asked to make a donation in any amount, to St. Patrick School, 311 Adams St., Lowell, MA 01854 in memory of the Sheehan boys. Arrangements by Funeral Director James F. O’Donnell, Jr. 978-458-8768.