2008 -- H 8333

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LC03013

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2008

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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

HONORING THE LATE JOHN J. PARTINGTON AND EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR

RENAMING THE CUMBERLAND POLICE STATION "THE JOHN J. PARTINGTON

PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING"

     Introduced By: Representatives Singleton, Menard, Vaudreuil, Fox, and D Caprio

     Date Introduced: May 29, 2008

     Referred To: House read and passed

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     WHEREAS, Born in the Valley Falls section of Cumberland to the late Willard and Mary

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Partington, John was the devoted husband of the late Helen Partington, a loving father to his son

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Scott, and the proud grandfather of Jonathan and Emily. He was a lifelong resident of the Town

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of Cumberland; and

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     WHEREAS, John served his country with honor and distinction as a member of the

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United States Army during the Korean War. In 1955, he began his distinguished career in law

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enforcement as a Patrolman in Cumberland, serving the community in that capacity until 1967.

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Through dedicated and persistent hard work, he returned to the Cumberland Police Department in

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1980 as the newly named Chief of Police, a position he held until 1989. During his tenure, he

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initiated the acclaimed Community Policing concept in both Cumberland and Providence; and

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     WHEREAS, In addition to his time on the Cumberland Police Force, John was appointed

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to the United States Marshals Service from 1962 until 1980, where he earned the honor of being

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the most decorated US Marshal in the Service. He was active in the formation of the "Witness

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Protection Program" and was often called upon by members of the television and film industry, as

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well as non-fiction writers, for his extensive knowledge and expertise in this program; and

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     WHEREAS, Never idle for long, this hardworking man was named Commissioner of

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Public Safety for the City of Providence in 1989, a position he held until his retirement in 2004;

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and

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     WHEREAS, John's deep commitment to law enforcement was manifested not only in the

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length and breadth of his career, but also in his participation in a host of fraternal organizations,

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including the Association of Retired Marshals, the Cumberland Lodge 14, FOP, and the

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International Chiefs of Police Association; and

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     WHEREAS, There is no doubt that John Partington, an honest and steadfast gentleman,

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left Rhode Island a far better place because of his life's endeavors; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

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Providence Plantations hereby honors the late John J. Partington and expresses its deepest support

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for the renaming of the Cumberland Police Station "The John J. Partington Public Safety

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Building." This building will always stand as a reminder of John's excellence in public service

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and commitment to the citizens of Cumberland; and be it further

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

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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the family of the late John J. Partington.

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LC03013

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