R 185

2015 -- S 0802 Enacted 04/07/2015

S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

CELEBRATING THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF STATE POLICE

Introduced By: Senators Coyne, Goodwin, Algiere, Lynch, and Conley

Date Introduced: April 07, 2015

WHEREAS, On April 2nd of 1925, the Rhode Island General Assembly established the

Rhode Island Department of State Police in order to provide for the safety and security of the

citizens of this state with an organized, highly-trained and disciplined, state-wide law

enforcement agency; and

WHEREAS, In April of 1925, then-Governor Aram Pothier nominated, and the State

Senate confirmed, Everitte St. John Chaffee, as the first Superintendent of the State Police; and

WHEREAS, Utilizing a highly competitive process which combined physical prowess,

mental acuity, and psychological focus, and relying heavily on military experience and

organizational concepts, Colonel Chaffee selected 23 applicants, from an original pool of 600, to

become the first members of the State Police; and

WHEREAS, The Department's first headquarters opened on April 14th of 1925, at the

Providence Marine Corps of Artillery Headquarters on Benefit Street in Providence and

equipment and uniforms were procured; and

WHEREAS, Rigorous training of the new recruits referred to as "The Amateurs" by the

Colonel, began in May. Sadly, the first officer to be killed in the line of duty, John Weber,

occurred on June 17th. Graduation for the remaining twenty-two members of the first class

commenced on August 6th; and

WHEREAS, By the end of 1925, the State Police had established northern, South

County, and an island patrol. Since its inception, 756 men and women have served as members of

the Rhode Island State Police with seven of those officers dying "In the Service of the State":

Recruit Trooper John Weber, Trooper Arthur L. Staples, Jr., Lieutenant Arnold L. Poole, Trooper

Joseph J. Gallivan, Trooper Bradford G. Mott, Trooper Daniel L. O’Brien, and Sergeant Walter J.

Burgess; and

WHEREAS, In addition, twelve Superintendents have served the Rhode Island State

Police: Colonel Everitte St. John Chaffee, Colonel Edward J. Kelley, Colonel Jonathan F.

Harwood, Colonel E. Ralph Bonat, Colonel John T. Sheehan, Colonel Walter E. Stone, Colonel

Harrie C. Gill, Colonel Bernard W. Manchester, Colonel Edmond S. Culhane, Jr., Colonel Steven

M. Pare, Colonel Brendan P. Doherty, and Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell; and

WHEREAS, Since 1925, the proud and long-standing tradition of excellence in law

enforcement has remained the hallmark of the Rhode Island State Police and they have diligently

upheld the original Core Values of Honor, Honesty, Courage, Fairness, Integrity, Excellence, and

Devotion to Duty; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island Providence Plantations

hereby celebrates the 90th Anniversary of the founding of the Rhode Island Department of State

Police. We moreover honor and thank all the courageous men and women whose distinguished

and dedicated service has protected the people of this state for the past nine decades; 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 Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell.

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LC002340

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