Lt. Stanley W. Atkinson

     Lt. Stanley W. Atkinson was appointed to the CPD on November 17, 1933.  For 40 years he served as a radio specialist for the city’s radio systems before his retirement in 1973.   He served at the secretary and treasurer for the Cranston Police Relief Association for 20 years.  He also served as the radio command officer for the American Red Cross for 30 years, and served on the Red Cross Board of Directors for 20 years.  He also served with Cranston Civil Defense for 25 years, four of which as deputy director.  He passed away on January 7, 2002 at the age of 96, and is buried in Highland Memorial Park in Johnston, R. I.

     Rest in peace.   

Cranston Police Radio Room – 1952

Detective Matthew T. Duffy

     Matthew T. Duffy Jr., 62, of 32nd Avenue West, Bradenton, FL, a retired police detective, died on September 8, 2002, at home. He was the husband of Margaret (Jones) Duffy. Born in Providence, a son of the late Matthew T. and Rose (Robertson) Duffy, he had lived in Cranston before moving to Bradenton in 1990.Mr. Duffy was a detective for the Bradenton Police Department for 12 years before leaving due to illness earlier this year. He had been a detective for the Cranston Police Department for 23 years, until 1989. He was a member of the International Brotherhood of Police Officers, the Fraternal Order of Police, and the Providence-Cranston Lodge of Elks No. 14.He leaves three sons, Matthew T. Duffy III of Boston, and Kevin A. and Michael S. Duffy, both of Cranston; a daughter, Doreen A. Duffy of Cranston; two stepdaughters, Nina Bisceglia of Cranston and Jenifer Bisceglia of Gainesville, FL; two sisters, Rose Helen Barrie of Cranston and Barbara Stanley of Warren; and a grandchild.  Rest in Peace.

Matt Duffy
August, 1966

Sgt. John R. Hinckley
Appointed Oct. 15, 1947

     The CPDRA mourns the loss of Sergeant John Russell Hinckley, 78, of Naples, Florida, who passed away on March 7, 2003.  John has been a resident of Naples for the past 20 years and previously resided in North Kingstown, RI. John was born November 8, 1924 in Providence, R.I. He retired from the Cranston Police Department in 1972 and from the North Kingston Police Department in 1981. He was a Veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Army, and was a Purple Heart Recipient. He is survived by his loving wife, Christine R. Hinckley of Naples, FL; three sons, John R. Hinckley, III of Lolo, MT, Thomas M. Hinckley of Naples, FL and Richard A. Hinckley of Exeter, RI; three daughters, Leslie Ann Ryan of Rivervale, NJ, Margaret Mary Mankiewicz of Naples, FL and Christine Buenger of Evergreen, CO. He is also survived by 20 grandchildren.  Rest in Peace.

Det. Joe Fortuna
Appointed Feb. 26, 1951

     With deep sadness, the CPDRA announces the death of its member Joseph V. Fortuna, 77, of Park Forest Road in Cranston. He was the husband of Jeanette (DiLibero) Fortuna. Born in Providence, a son of the late Harry and Elizabeth Fortuna, Joe had resided in Cranston for the past 50 years. He was employed as a police officer for the Cranston Police Department, retiring as a detective after 35 years of service. After retiring, he was employed by the city as a truant officer for 15 years. Besides his wife he leaves a son, Edward Fortuna of Cranston. He was the father of the late Joseph V. Fortuna Jr., and brother of the late Rose Chadronet, Jennie Fontaine and Al Fortuna.  Rest in Peace.

Sgt. Harry Sunderland
Appointed Mar. 24, 1952

     CPDRA member Harry F. Sunderland, 78, of Phenix Avenue, Cranston, died on Sunday, June 1, 2003, at Miriam Hospital. The retired Cranston police sergeant was the husband of Marie (Renzi) Sunderland. They had been married for 51 years. Born in Providence, a son of the late George and Janet (Wheatly) Sunderland, Harry was a Cranston resident for most of his life. He had served in the Cranston Police Department as a court officer, a firearms and self-defense instructor, a member of the underwater recovery team, and a member of the BCI unit.  He was promoted to sergeant on August 28, 1961.  He retired as a sergeant after 31 years with the force. Harry also was a physical education instructor for the state Training School in Cranston for 28 years. In June 1987, the Cranston Police Training and Crime Prevention Center was dedicated in honor of Harry and his former colleague William Loux, as a tribute from the City of Cranston to the retired police sergeants’ years of effort in developing programs for training and crime prevention. Both men were awarded honorary keys to the city. An Army veteran of World War II, Harry served as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division. He had been a troop leader for Boy Scout Troop 6.Besides his wife, Harry leaves a daughter, Angela Ruscito, and a grandson, Andrew J. Ruscito, both of Cranston. He was the brother of the late Albert Sunderland.  Rest in Peace.