Ellsworth Police Department

05/19/2026

At this Benefit Spaghetti Dinner, there will be a silent auction. Some of the items up for auction include a Cal Ripken autograph jersey, a Gayle Sayers signed Chicago Bears Helmet, various Gift Cards, a Mike Pagliarulo signed Yankee’s jersey, a Mountain Bike, and many wonderful craft items. Donated items can be off to Amanda Tupper at Machias Savings Bank in Ellsworth, or at the Ellsworth Police Department attention Toni Ryan.

Clear your calendars

Help us support this wonderful family

05/16/2026

MAINE DEPARTMENT OF INLAND FISHERIES & WILDLIFE
353 Water St., Augusta, ME 04333 (207) 287-8000 www.mefishwildlife.com
For More Information, Please Contact:
Mark Latti, MDIFW Communications Director, 207-592-1339 (cell) [email protected]

For Immediate Release May 15, 2026
Missing Paddleboarder Located on Graham Lake

ELLSWORTH, Maine – A paddleboarder who went missing on Graham Lake ten days ago was located this evening.

Grayson Mote, age 20 of Ellsworth, had gone missing while paddleboarding on Graham Lake on Tuesday, May 5th. This evening at approximately 6:30 p.m., a member of his family who was out searching for him by boat located him deceased, approximately 2/10 of a mile from the shore of Graham Lake.

A Maine Marine Patrol officer brought him to shore, and Grayson was transported to the Office of the Maine State Medical Examiner.

Mote had been the focus of an intensive water and air search that included members of the Maine Warden Service, Ellsworth Police Department, Ellsworth Fire Department, Maine Marine Patrol, Maine state Police, the Maine Forest Service and friends and family of Grayson. The search included boats, sonar, divers, submersible drones, aircraft, and ground searchers along the shore.

Learn about Maine's wildlife and fisheries and how you can safely enjoy your next outdoor adventure.

05/13/2026

Our sincere condolences to the family, friends, and members of The Maine Warden Service on the loss of Warden Joshua Tibbetts. We are grateful for his service and honor his sacrifice in the line of duty.

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is heartbroken to share that Game Warden Pilot Joshua Tibbetts died this morning in a plane crash in Avon, ME.

Game Warden Pilot Tibbetts served the people of Maine as a Maine Game Warden for 18 years, including the last three years as a pilot for Maine Warden Service. In that role, his specialized aviation work supported search and rescue, law enforcement, fisheries and wildlife conservation, and public safety across the state.

This is an incredibly difficult loss for his family, friends, colleagues, and the entire Maine Warden Service. We ask the public to keep his loved ones, his fellow Game Wardens, and all those affected by this tragedy in their thoughts in the days ahead.

The investigation into the crash is ongoing. The Department will cooperate fully with the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.

We are grateful for the emergency personnel who responded to the scene and for the support already being shown to the Maine Warden Service family.

05/06/2026

Press Release about Graham Lake Incident.

MAINE DEPARTMENT OF INLAND FISHERIES & WILDLIFE
353 Water St., Augusta, ME 04333 (207) 287-8000 www.mefishwildlife.com
For More Information, Please Contact:
Mark Latti, MDIFW Communications Director, 207-592-1339 (cell) [email protected]

For Immediate Release May 6, 2026

Maine Warden Service Searching For Missing Paddleboarder

ELLSWORTH, Maine – Maine Game Wardens are searching for a missing paddleboarder on Graham Lake in Ellsworth.

Yesterday, May 5th, at approximately 12:15 PM, Game Wardens were dispatched to Graham Lake in Ellsworth to search for a missing 20-year-old man. The man is suspected to have left his family camp on a paddle board sometime between 10:00 and 11:30 AM, likely without a personal floatation device (PFD). Ellsworth Police and Fire Department personnel initially responded and searched the lake with watercraft and drones.

Yesterday afternoon, Game Wardens searched using watercraft, a Maine Warden Service plane, and a Maine Forest Service helicopter. Dive teams from the Warden Service, Marine Patrol and State Police have joined the search. The dive teams are also utilizing side scan sonar and submersible ROVs in the search.

This release will be updated if new information becomes available.

Learn about Maine's wildlife and fisheries and how you can safely enjoy your next outdoor adventure.

04/30/2026

Beginning Monday, May 4, 2026, crews contracted by the Maine Department of Transportation will begin soil testing/boring around the Union River Bridge as part of early preparation for future bridge repairs.

📍 Where: Lower light at State and Main Streets (Union River Bridge area)

📅 When: May 4, 2026, through approximately May 15

🕒 Hours:
• Monday–Friday: 7:00 AM setup – 8:00 AM work begins ending at 4:00 PM

🚧 What to expect:
• One-lane, alternating traffic across the bridge
• Law Enforcement on site
• Flaggers on site to safely guide traffic
• One sidewalk open for pedestrians

Drivers are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible and to use caution when traveling through the area.

04/30/2026

04/17/2026

During National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, we proudly recognize the dedicated dispatchers of the City of Ellsworth, whose calm voices and sharp judgment serve as the critical first link in every emergency response. Working behind the scenes, they handle high-pressure situations with professionalism, compassion, and precision—often providing life-saving instructions while coordinating police, fire, and EMS resources in real time. Their ability to remain composed under stress, gather essential information quickly, and support both the public and first responders is nothing short of extraordinary. We also extend our appreciation to the Hancock Regional Communications Center, whose team provides seamless overnight coverage and ensures continuity of service during those critical hours. Together, their partnership reflects a shared commitment to public safety, and the City of Ellsworth is safer and stronger because of their unwavering dedication every single day.

04/09/2026

Please join us in congratulating Corporal Joshua Steward on his well-earned promotion within the Ellsworth Police Department.

Corporal Steward is a 9-year veteran of EPD who has consistently demonstrated professionalism, leadership, and a strong commitment to serving our community. His dedication to training, mentoring, and public safety has made a lasting impact on both the department and the citizens of Ellsworth.

Training & Experience:
• Supervisor Leadership Institute
• Axon Taser Instructor
• Field Training Officer (FTO)
• Urban Rifle Instructor
• Advanced Pistol
• Basic Pistol
• MARC Instructor
• Methods of Instruction
• Interactive Use of Force Instructor
• Fi****ms Instructor
• Reid Interviewing and Interrogation – Advanced
• Reid Interviewing and Interrogation
• Advanced Rifle Techniques
• MDEA Basic Drug Investigation
• Operation R.U.S.H. Drug Interdiction Course

Awards:
• Officer of the Year – 2025
• Lifesaving Award – January 2025

Community Involvement:
• Ellsworth YMCA – 3 years as a travel basketball coach (grades 3–6)
• The Forge Training Center – 1 year coaching AAU basketball (grades 5–6)
• HCTC Law Enforcement Program – 2 years providing MARC training at Ellsworth High School
• Acadia Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – Practitioner and youth class coach

Corporal Steward’s commitment to continuous improvement, community engagement, and excellence in policing reflects the very best of our department.

We are proud to have him as part of our leadership team and look forward to his continued service in this new role.

Congratulations, Corporal Steward!

04/07/2026

Looking to start a new career? Get involved in your community? Apply today to join our team. ellsworthmaine.gov/apply
Scan the QR code for more details!
Pay starting at $36.63/hour
Panama 12 hour shift schedule
Weekly pay
Overtime opportunities
Hourly stipend & shift differentials
Maine PERS 25 year – 1/2 retirement or ICMA retirement

04/06/2026

New sign is up. Hopefully it will make us a little easier to find when and if you need us.