‘Second mayor of Boston’ dies at age 86

Thomas Henry Scott, retired Boston police officer, died on June 1. Those who knew him referred to him as “Scotty” or “Mr. Scott.”

Scott’s life began on March 3, 1920 in Washington, D.C. He grew up in Cambridge where he attended the Houghton Grammar School and the Rindge Technical High School. He later attended City College in New York, but his education was interrupted during World War II. He served on active duty from 1941 to 1945 in the 372nd Infantry All Black Regiment.

He began his career with the Boston Police Department on June 22, 1950. He entered the police force when Boston didn’t have many people of color in the department. Throughout his career, he was looked upon as a pioneer and acted as a mentor to other officers of color.

Billy Celester, former Boston police commander, remembered “Scotty” as a fair man of class. He remembers first meeting Scott when he joined the police force in 1956.

“I ran into Scotty and introduced myself,” said Celester. “He said he would help me out and he did just that. If you knew him, you were alright.”

Scott received the Department Medal of Honor and the Thomas F. Sullivan Award for bravery. In November of 1970, he was promoted to detective and after 35 years, he retired in 1985. However, he didn’t retire for long. He was a bodyguard for former mayor Ray Flynn as well as Mayor Thomas Menino. People often called him the “second mayor of Boston.”

“Tom Scott was a decorated Boston police officer and a trusted, longtime family friend,” said Flynn. “He was by my side my entire political life.”

Scott was the son of the late Herbert J. and Flora V. Scott. He leaves behind his wife Pam, sisters Cecilia G. Griffin and Vivian H. Qualls, brother Edward B. Harris, Sr., sisters-in-law Sylvia A. Scott and Louise Harris, sons Quentin T. and Branden Flattes Scott, grandson Terry Cousin, granddaughters Lachelle Cousin and Laneice Womack, great-grandchildren Kemahny Perry, Nazia Perry, Kyla-Journey Womack, Davaughn Howard, Terry Cousin, Alfred K. Cousin, as well as a host of relatives and friends.

The viewing took place Wednesday at the Davis Funeral Home in Mattapan and Prince Hall Masonic Temple in Dorchester. The funeral service will take place today, Thursday June 8, at the Charles Street AME Church in Roxbury. He will be buried in Mount Hope Cemetery.