Stoughton Police Chief Donna McNamarra on Friday announced the “deeply troubling” results of an 18-month internal affairs investigation and condemned the “serious misconduct” of former police officers Matthew Farwell, his twin brother William Farwell and Robert Devine. McNamarra said all of the officers formed relationships with Sandra Birchmore, a 13-year-old who enrolled in the Stoughton Police Explorers program in 2010, and took advantage of her. Birchmore, 23, was found dead in her Canton apartment on Feb. 4, 2021, and officers failed, abused and manipulated her, according to McNamarra. “Ms. Birchmore was a vulnerable person who had a constant in her life from childhood with an unwavering appreciation for police officers… People with oaths and duties to protect and serve,” McNamara said. “The admiration led her to form relationships with men who were willing to take advantage of her.” Until her death, Birchmore was open about her relationship with Matthew Farwell. The day after Birchmore’s death, McNamara ordered Deputy Chief Brian Holmes to lead an investigation into whether any misconduct had been committed by members of her department. “Subsequent inquiries into her life and death revealed a deeply disturbing pattern of behavior towards her,” McNamara said. The Farwell brothers, as well as Devine, violated several department policies, including untruthfulness and failure to pay attention and devotion to duty, according to McNamarra. Robert Devine (left), William Farwell (right) — Stoughton Police Department Robert Devine (left), William Farwell (right) — Stoughton Police Department Evidence revealed during the investigation showed that Matthew Farwell, who was 27 at the time, met Birchmore while on the Explorers program and began a relationship with her that included a series of digital messages and explicit exchanges during several years, McNamara said. William Farwell is also accused of exchanging explicit messages and photos with Birchmore while on duty, in addition to having a series of inappropriate physical encounters with her. McNamarra said William Farwell also tried to introduce Birchmore to other men on several occasions, including former Deputy Chief Devine who had been demoted to patrol officer for abuse of power and a “person who is a police officer in another jurisdiction.” Devine also worked as a detailer at an after-school program years earlier and had inappropriate contact with another student, according to McNamarra. He then began overseeing the explorer program, which taught aspects of policing to new participants. The Farwell brothers were both new participants in the program under Devine before becoming instructors years later, taking them through a series of classes to meet Birchmore, McNamarra said. This program has since been discontinued. Stoughton Police Explorers Program badge Investigators eventually found that Matthew Farwell ended his relationship with Birchmore on February 1, 2021, after an “unpleasant, nasty argument”. She was found dead days later. “All three men, the Farwell brothers and Devine, violated their oaths and should never have the privilege of serving any community as a police officer,” McNamarra said. “Through a sustained and deliberate combination of lies, deception and betrayal, they violated the policies of the Stoughton Police Department.” The Farwell brothers and Devine have since resigned, and Abington’s police chief confirms his department is investigating one of its officers involved in the misconduct with Birchmore after getting information from Stoughton. McNamarra added that she plans to ask the state’s new Peace Officer Training and Standards Commission to decertify the Farwell brothers and Devine. She also noted that she is “devastated” and “outraged” by what happened. The Norfolk district attorney’s office was notified of the findings, which were detailed in a 60-page report. In a statement, the DA’s office said: “State Police detectives and the medical examiner have found no evidence of foul play in Ms. Birchmore’s death … The investigation to date has not developed a statutory rape case against any individual.” All three officers have left the department and the Stoughton Chief is going through the process to decertify their police credentials. We went to all the officers’ homes and no one was willing to comment on the internal affairs report. Boston 25 went to all of the officer’s homes, and no one was willing to comment on the internal affairs report. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download it FREE Boston 25 News app for emergency notifications. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW ©2022 Cox Media Group
