Sergeant Walter Busby III

     Sergeant Walter C. Busby III passed away on February 12, 1979, while struggling with a suicidal man.  He is buried  in St. Ann’s Cemetery. 

     Rest in peace.  

Sgt. Walter Busby

Lt. William J. Nixon

     Lieutenant William J. Nixon was appointed to the Cranston Police Department on January 17, 1936.   He passed away on May 20, 1981, at the age of 77, and is buried Elm Grove Cemetery in North Kingstown.  

     Rest in peace. 

Ptl. Anthony R. Iannotti
Appointed Dec. 28, 1958

     Detective Anthony “Butch” Iannotti, (48), passed away on February 4, 1982.  he was appointed to the CPD on December 28, 1958, and during his career served in the patrol division, the B. C. I. division, and the traffic division.

     He was an army veteran of the Korean War, and a graduate of the U.R.I. School of Criminalistics. 

     He is survived by his wife and daughter, his parents, and maternal grandmother.

     He’s buried in St. Ann’s cemetery.

     Rest in peace our brother.

L to R: Henry Crudale, Anthony Iannotti

Lt. Jay W. Fitzgerald
Appointed Aug. 28, 1961

     It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Lieutenant Jay W. “Fitzy” Fitzgerald who passed away on February 11, 1982.  Born in Providence, he was the son of the late Michael and Alice (Townsend) Fitzgerald.  An Army Veteran of four years, Jay joined the department on August 28, 1961 where he achieved the rank of Lieutenant.  At the time of his passing, he was a Training Officer and served as a Crime Prevention and Public Relations Officer.  Previously he was a Lieutenant with the Patrol Division for many years.  He was also active in numerous associations and loved being involved in the Cranston Western Little League and coaching basketball at the St. Joseph’s Church in West Warwick, RI.  In April of 1982, the Cranston Western Little League honored him by dedicating their season to Jay and naming their baseball field after him. The field is located at Sherman Ave. and Cranston St.  He is survived by his loving wife Patricia M. (Flynn) Fitzgerald and his children  Jay W. Jr., Michael R., Thomas J., Betsy A. Fitzgerald, and a sister, Mrs. Janice D. Quinn, all of Cranston.  He was also a graduate of Bryant College.  Truly a kind and gentle man who will be missed.

Det. Arnold R. Odesky
Appointed July 26, 1954

     Detective Arnold R. Odesky passed away on July 20, 1982.  He was the husband of Helen G. (Soscia) Odesky.  

     He was appointed to the police department on July 26, 1954, and served for 22 years before retiring as a detective in 1976.  He was an active member of the International Brotherhood of Police Officers Local 301, and assisted other police agencies in R. I. with contract negotiations. 

     He is survived by his wife and three daughters, two grandchildren, and a brother.  

     Rest In peace.