Westborough Police Chief Todd C. Minardi was placed on administrative leave after being found unresponsive inside a parked vehicle outside a liquor store in Shrewsbury on Friday, authorities said. Police discovered Minardi in a Ford Explorer outside Star Liquors around 12:30 p.m., with a bottle of vodka in his possession.

According to the Shrewsbury Police Department, Minardi purchased two 750-milliliter bottles of vodka, one on the morning of Wednesday, October 21, and another on Thursday morning from the Route 9 store. Surveillance footage and employee statements indicated he remained inside the parked vehicle for more than a day before being found.

Responding officers noted that Minardi exhibited signs of intoxication, including the smell of alcohol and bloodshot eyes, and was unable to answer simple questions. A police report described him as staring fixedly and speaking incoherently at times. Officers also observed that Minardi was in civilian clothing and did not have his service pistol with him.

Minardi’s wife arrived at the scene and informed emergency responders that he had been missing for two days. She expressed concern that he had consumed alcohol without eating, which she believed could affect his condition. The specific medical concern she mentioned was redacted in the police report. Minardi agreed to be transported to a hospital; however, he was not listed as a patient as of the following Tuesday.

Minardi was appointed Westborough’s police chief in November 2023, having served previously as deputy chief. Town officials have announced plans to hire an external investigator to conduct a further review of the incident but declined to provide additional comments, citing the ongoing nature of the personnel matter.

In September, Minardi received the Community Policing Award from the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association in recognition of his efforts to promote community engagement within the Westborough Police Department. The association praised his dedication to integrating community relations into the department’s mission.