Fall River School Committee member Kevin Aguiar releases family statement concerning guns found in former chief Gauvin’s locker

Paul Gauvin, a 27-year-veteran of the FRPD, was officially terminated last week following a months-long investigation into alleged misconduct.

The investigation, which was conducted by Comprehensive Investigations and Consulting LLC, resulted in the release of a 90-page report that detailed 15 policy violations.

Some of the allegations included:

-a knife and a single bullet left behind in an empty desk drawer in Gauvin’s former office and current interim Chief Kelly Furtado’s office

-three firearms were found in Gauvin’s station locker that were not registered to him.

-alleged harassment and intimidation

School Committee member Kevin Aguiar released a statement on behalf of his family on Monday concerning the guns found in Gauvin’s locker.

The statement is as follows:

Daniel Aguiar, 68, husband of the late Catherine and father to Kimberly, Daniel and Kevin, passed March 10, 2009, after a long illness.

It was no secret to those who knew him that our dad struggled for many years with severe mental health disorders.

It was also no secret that as a United States Marine he was a defender of the Constitution and our Second Amendment rights. He was a licensed gun owner and took that right extremely seriously owning two registered handguns and one antique handgun.

There was, however, a time when we as a family decided that it was not safe for him to possess these firearms.

Not being licensed gun owners ourselves, we asked a Fall River Police Department member and family friend to safely take the firearms.

Paul Gauvin was very familiar with our dad and agreed that it was unsafe for Dad to have them.

It was our understanding that the weapons were at some point to be disposed of properly through the gun buyback program.

It shall be noted that during a recent investigation into the conduct of Chief Paul Gauvin, three handguns were found to be properly secured in his personal locker. Within minutes of this discovery, it was confirmed that these guns were owned and registered to the late Daniel Aguiar, our dad.

We as a family find it shameful and disingenuous that anyone would intentionally present and use these facts to advance an agenda or in any manner other than truthfully.

Many years ago, a young Police Officer Paul Gauvin swore to “Protect and Serve” the citizens of the City of Fall River. After a long and distinguished career, it is clearly evident that Chief Paul Gauvin has proudly done just that.

The Aguiar family is beyond regretful over how our actions may have played a part in the smearing of Chief Gauvin and his beautiful family.

Thank you for the opportunity to let the truth be told.

Sincerely,
The Aguiar Family