Peter J. Koutoujian

Peter J. Koutoujian is an American law enforcement official and former politician serving as the Sheriff of Middlesex County. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as a state representative in the Massachusetts House of Representatives for over a decade. His tenure as sheriff has been marked by a focus on rehabilitation, opioid crisis response, and national leadership in correctional health.

Early life and education

He was born in Waltham to an Armenian-American family. He attended University of Massachusetts at Amherst, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. He subsequently earned his Juris Doctor from Suffolk University Law School. His early professional experience included work as an assistant district attorney in the Middlesex District Attorney's Office under then-District Attorney Thomas F. Reilly.

Career

Elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1996, he represented the 10th Middlesex district, which included parts of Waltham and Watertown. During his legislative career, he served as the House Chairman of the Joint Committee on Public Health. He was appointed by Governor Deval Patrick as the first-ever chairman of the Massachusetts Health Care Quality and Cost Council. In 2011, following the death of Sheriff James V. DiPaola, he was appointed by Governor Patrick to serve as Middlesex Sheriff and was elected to a full term in 2012.

Middlesex Sheriff

As Sheriff, he oversees the largest sheriff’s office in New England, responsible for the Middlesex Jail & House of Correction in Billerica and law enforcement in 54 communities. His administration has emphasized evidence-based programs to reduce recidivism, including the implementation of a **Medication for Addiction Treatment** program for inmates with opioid use disorder. He serves as the President of the **National Sheriffs’ Association** and is a past president of the **Major County Sheriffs of America**. Under his leadership, the office launched the **Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Outreach Initiative** and has been recognized for its reentry planning and veterans’ services units.

Political positions and legislation

As a state legislator, he was a lead sponsor of the **Massachusetts Smoke-Free Workplace Law**, one of the most comprehensive indoor smoking bans in the nation. He also championed legislation to create a **pediatric palliative care network** and worked on bills addressing **trans fat** restrictions in restaurants. In his role as sheriff, he has been a vocal advocate for criminal justice reform, testifying before the Congress on issues related to the **First Step Act** and correctional health funding. He supports policies aimed at improving mental health and substance use treatment within correctional settings.

Personal life

He resides in Waltham with his family. He is active in the Armenian Apostolic Church and community organizations, including the **Armenian Assembly of America**. He has served on the board of the **Massachusetts Association for Mental Health** and is a member of the **Waltham Rotary Club**.

Category:1961 births Category:Living people Category:Sheriffs in Massachusetts Category:Massachusetts Democrats Category:Members of the Massachusetts House of Representatives Category:University of Massachusetts Amherst alumni Category:Suffolk University Law School alumni Category:People from Waltham, Massachusetts Category:Armenian-American politicians