Gorham Police Chief Ronald Shepard will retire on Nov. 4 after working for the town’s police department for 42 years.

Town Manager David Cole on Friday announced Shepard’s retirement in an email to the Town Council. Cole appointed Shepard as chief on Sept. 27, 1995.

At the time, Shepard was the department’s lieutenant and he succeeded Edward Tolan as chief. Shepard had previously served three times as acting chief.

Shepard, a Gorham native, joined the Gorham force in 1972. He is the departments’ sixth chief.

“I have had the pleasure of working with him for more than 20 years and always admired his level of professionalism and dedication to the town,” Cole said in the announcement.

Gorham Police Chief Ron Shepard