2021 -- S 0695

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LC002389

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF JOHN J. (JACK)

LEYDEN

     Introduced By: Senator Maryellen Goodwin

     Date Introduced: March 22, 2021

     Referred To: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar

     WHEREAS, It is with deep sadness that this Senate has learned of the passing of John

(Jack) Leyden, a revered law enforcement figure who served and protected the people of Rhode

Island with integrity and tireless devotion for more than four decades; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Leyden was raised in the Smith Hill neighborhood of Providence, the

son of Irish immigrants, the late Thomas and Katherine Leyden. He is survived by his five

children, Lori Leyden, John Leyden Jr., Retired Major Rhode Island State Police, and his wife,

Carlotta, Lynn McKnight and her husband, Brian, Lisa Murray and her husband, Dave, and Leigh

Leyden and her fiancé, Doug Posich, and his six grandchildren, Taylor and Lindsey McKnight,

John Leyden III, and Shayla, Sara and David Murray, Jr. He was the brother of the late Thomas

Leyden, Katherine Lovatt and Martin Leyden; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Leyden enlisted in the United States Navy during the Korean War, and

served our nation with distinction. Shortly after receiving his honorable discharge, he embarked

on a legendary law enforcement career that earned the respect and praise of all who knew him. He

became a member of the Providence Police Department and quickly rose through the ranks thanks

to his tenacious devotion to duty, tireless work ethic, and abiding integrity. He began his duties

as a patrolman walking a beat in South Providence, and later led the Providence Police

Department’s first Organized Crime Task Force charged with dismantling local racketeering. He

worked on numerous complicated high-profile investigations including the “Innis case” which led

to the 1975 murder conviction of Thomas Innis. The case was appealed to the United States

Supreme Court which resulted in the conviction being upheld and significantly defined the scope

of 5th Amendment Miranda Rights; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Leyden graduated from the 87th FBI National Academy and retired

from the Providence Police Department with the rank of Major. In 1984, he was appointed Chief

of the North Kingstown Police Department, a position he held for nine years until his

appointment as a United States Marshal by President Clinton thanks in large part to his being

nominated by the Late Senator Claiborne Pell. When he received this prestigious appointment,

Senator Jack Reed said that “Jack Leyden embodies integrity, courage, and the spirit of

community, and has a compassionate heart as well”; and

     WHEREAS, Until being benched by his doctors, Mr. Leyden was a dedicated athlete who

enjoyed playing competitive basketball, racquetball, golf and tennis well into his 80’s. He was a

devout Catholic and communicant of Saint Bernard Church, and belonged to and supported many

community and charitable organizations. He was a member of the Sons of Irish Kings, and was

always deeply proud of his Irish Heritage. He served as President of the Rhode Island Police

Chiefs Association, and as Secretary of the National Police Chiefs Association. He earned an

Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice from Roger Williams University; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Leyden will be long-remembered for his remarkable law enforcement

career. His honesty, integrity and devotion to duty were attributes that were widely recognized

and admired by all who knew him and worked with him. The love he had for his family was

limitless and his spirit will live on forever in the hearts of his loved ones; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby expresses our

gratitude for his devoted service to the state of Rhode Island, and our deepest condolences to the

Leyden Family on the passing of John Leyden; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Lori Leyden, John Leyden, Jr., Retired Major,

Rhode Island State Police, Lynn McKnight, Lisa Murray and Leigh Leyden.

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