Samuel D. Parker

Samuel Dunn Parker (September 9, 1868 – October 22, 1953) was an American militia officer in the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia and the State Guard of Massachusetts. He was inspector general of the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia and commander of the State Guard regiments deployed during the Boston Police Strike. He also served as commissioner of the Boston Fire Department.

Early life Parker was born on September 9, 1868, in Milton, Massachusetts, United States. He retired from the militia on December 27, 1911.

State Guard of Massachusetts On April 5, 1917, the Massachusetts General Court created the State Guard of Massachusetts after the Massachusetts National Guard was mustered into federal service. The organization was to serve as a home guard during World War I. On April 18, 1917, Governor Samuel W. McCall appointed Parker to the State Guard Board, which was tasked with organizing the new Guard. The guard went on duty on September 10, 1919, with 5,000 soldiers patrolling the streets. That night two men were killed when guardsmen opened fire on an unruly crowd in South Boston. Another was killed during a riot in Scollay Square. Another man was shot and killed by the guardsmen the following day during the arrest of 44 men who were shooting craps. The guard was relieved from duty on December 21, 1919, after the Boston Police Department had recruited enough new members to begin policing the city again.

Fire commissioner On January 30, 1908, Mayor George A. Hibbard removed fire commissioner Benjamin W. Wells from office and named Parker to replace him. Parker was allowed to remain as inspector general of the militia while serving as fire commissioner. On May 26, 1910, Parker sent in his resignation to Mayor John F. Fitzgerald. It was accepted the following day and Francis M. Carroll of the bath department was named acting commissioner.

Professional career Parker worked as a real estate broker, was treasurer of the Ipswich Mills and New England Home for Little Wanderers, vice president of the Suffolk Savings Bank, president of the Home for Aged Women, and a director of the Merchants National Bank.