BOSTON (WBZ-AM/24/7 NewsSource) -- William Evans, Commissioner of the Boston Police Department, is stepping down after nearly four decades with the department.
Current Superintendent In Chief William Gross will become the next BPD Commissioner. Gross, a 30-year veteran of the department, will be the city's first African-American Commissioner.
Evans will take over as the Chief of Police for the Boston College Police Department.
"We are elated to have such an accomplished and nationally known police officer to lead and guide us into the next phase of policing here at Boston College," BC Police wrote on their Twitter account. "We look forward to a healthy and positive working relationship with Commissioner Evans in the coming days."
The news was first reported by WBZ NewsRadio 1030 two weeks ago, but Evans made the announcement official at a press conference Monday morning.
Boston City Councilor Matt O'Malley told WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Karyn Regal that Evans has been beloved in the community, and that he exemplified community policing during his time with the department.
"This is a very, very big loss for the city of Boston," he said. "Bill Evans was one of the finest commissioners with whom I've ever served or have ever known."
The 59-year-old joined the force as a cadet in 1980, and rose through the ranks. He was appointed Acting Commissioner by Mayor Tom Menino after Ed Davis retired, and then sworn in by Mayor Marty Walsh.
Then-Superintendent In Chief Evans ran the Boston Marathon in 2013, learned about the bombings, went home, put his uniform on, and went to work--after running 26.2 miles.
(24/7 NewsSource contributed to this report)
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Karyn Regal (@Karynregal) reports