2026 -- H 7326

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LC003111

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING, HONORING, AND THANKING WARWICK POLICE CAPTAIN

CHARLES BOISSEAU FOR SAVING THE LIVES OF A CRANSTON FAMILY AFTER

THEIR HOUSE CAUGHT FIRE ON THE NIGHT OF JULY 5, 2025

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Read, Solomon, Bennett, McNamara,
Shanley, Blazejewski, Hopkins, Chippendale, and Kennedy

     Date Introduced: January 27, 2026

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Warwick Police Captain Charles Boisseau is a dedicated public servant who

has spent most of his professional life in service to our nation, the State of Rhode Island and the

City of Warwick. Mr. Boisseau holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from

Roger Williams University; and

     WHEREAS, Charles Boisseau served our nation with distinction and honor as a Combat

Medic in the United States Army and the United States Army Reserve. He deployed multiple

times and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Combat Medical Badge for his heroic

actions while deployed in Afghanistan; and

     WHEREAS, Captain Boisseau is a 30-year veteran of the Warwick Police Department

who previously served as a Correctional Officer with the Rhode Island Department of

Corrections. Within the Warwick Police Department, Captain Boisseau has held positions in the

Patrol Division, the Traffic Division, and has served as a Patrol Supervisor for the past 12 years;

and

     WHEREAS, On the night of July 5, 2025, at approximately 11:15 p.m., Captain Charles

Boisseau was heading home after finishing a detail when he noticed a fire burning in a trash can

in front of a house on Whispering Pines Drive. Captain Boisseau immediately responded by

exiting his vehicle, calling 911, and banging on the front door of the house to alert the occupants,

who were asleep at the time. After receiving no response, Captain Boisseau searched for a hose to

douse the growing flames. After contacting the homeowner, both attempted to put out the fire;

however, the water pressure from the hose proved insufficient to extinguish it. When the fire

began to spread to the garage and house, Captain Boisseau called 911 a second time and then re-

entered the house with the homeowner to rescue the homeowner's wife and three small children,

aged 7, 5, and 6 months. All were safely rescued without injury; and

     WHEREAS, The Cranston Fire Department responded swiftly, extinguished the fire and

determined that the fire was caused by used fireworks that were improperly discarded. Thanks to

the bravery of Captain Boisseau, no one was hurt. In the words of Cranston Police Chief Michael

J. Winquist, praising Captain Boisseau, "Had it not been for his immediate actions, the outcome

could have been tragic. We commend his bravery and selflessness in risking his safety to save

others."; now, therefore be it

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

honors, congratulates, and thanks Warwick Police Captain Charles Boisseau for saving the lives

of a Cranston family after their house caught fire on the night of July 5, 2025; and be it further

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

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Warwick Police Captain, Charles Boisseau.

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