Joseph L. Lyons, 81, of Hyannis died suddenly on March 2.   Mr. Lyons was a 35-year veteran of the Norfolk County Sherriff’s Department and served in the US Navy and the US Air Force for more than 10 years.  He was stationed at Andrews AFB in Washington, D.C. and was honorably discharged in October 1954, and August 1958, respectively. Mr. Lyons was born in Brockton to the late Alice and Leo Lyons of Quincy and raised in Quincy.  He was a graduate of St. Joseph’s grammar school, Quincy Point, attended Miramar Seminary in Duxbury, and graduated from Cathedral High School, Boston in 1949.  He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice from Northeastern University in 1972.   Mr. Lyons was instrumental in implementing and directing the first Work Release Program at the Norfolk County House of Corrections and assisted in developing similar programs throughout the state.  Mr. Lyons received numerous citations and awards throughout his years of military and civil service. 

Mr. Lyons was A Korean War Veteran, a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 252, a member of the American Legion, Post 18, Dedham, the P-107 Army Airways Communications System, AACS Alumni Association, the Boston Police Emerald Society, the Gaelic Fire Brigade, the Mass. Police Association, and the Mass. Association of Retired Employees.  Mr. Lyons was also a Trustee for the Leukemia Society of America. 

Mr. Lyons leaves his son and daughter Greg J. Lyons of San Francisco, Calif. and Tracy A. Lyons, of Scottsdale, Ariz.;  his brothers Richard A. Lyons and Robert J. Lyons of Duxbury; and 17 nieces and nephews.  He was buried at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne on March 9 in a Military Honors Ceremony, after a Funeral Mass at the Holy Family Church. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mr. Lyons’ name to the Brigham and Women’s Development Office, 116 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02116, Dr. Adler’s Master Clinician Fund, Cardiology.