[4] On March 18, 1918, Sullivan was appointed commissioner of public works by Boston Mayor Andrew J.

[4] During the 1921 Boston mayoral election, Sullivan supported John R. Murphy to succeed Peters.

James Michael Curley won the election and replaced Sullivan as Public Works Commissioner.

After the civil service commission rejected Nichols' nominee, John T. Hawes, Sullivan was offered the position.

[10] He also served as a technical advisor for Civilian Defense Region 5 and was the chief blackout officer for the Boston Public Safety Committee.

A majority of council stated that they would quickly confirm a qualified appointee but would not "rubber stamp" an "unknown" nominee.

[2] On January 17, 1950, Sullivan issued a mobilization order calling every precinct captain and detective to duty minutes after the Great Brink's Robbery.