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.

Det. Lt. Michael A. Marro, Jr.

     Detective Lieutenant Michael A. Marro, Jr., was appointed a police constable on October 1, 1941.  He was appointed a permanent officer on April 1, 1942.  On November 27, 1950, he was promoted to detective first class which was equivalent to the rank of a uniform sergeant.  He was promoted to detective lieutenant on August 28, 1960, and served as head of the department’s vice squad, and night platoon commander in the detective division.  He retired in February of 1965. 

     During his career he received numerous departmental citations and awards.  He was a communicant of St. Rocco’s Church in Johnston.  He passed away on September 28, 1984 and is buried in St. Ann’s Cemetery.

     Rest in peace. 

Lieut. George R. E. Farrow

     Lieutenant George R. E. Farrow was appointed to the CPD on March 15, 1929.  He was born in Providence and moved to Cranston in 1921.  He was a 32nd Degree Mason, and belonged to the Order of Shriners, as well as the Cranston Historical Society.  He retired from the CPD in 1966 after 37 years of service to the citizens of Cranston.  He passed away on June 8, 1986 at the age of 92, and is buried in Swan Point Cemetery in Providence. 

     Rest in peace.  

Cmdr. Harold N. Johnson

     Commander Harold N. Johnson was appointed to the CPD in 1929 and began his career patrolling a beat in Aubrun.  He was promoted to sergeant in December of 1945.  In 1957 he was promoted to the rank of Commander, and was the first CPD officer to hold this rank.  He retired in 1965 after serving the citizens of Cranston for 36 years.   Upon retiring, he began working for Fleet National Bank security division, and remained in that position until 1970.  

     He passed away on April 10, 1988 at the age of 81, and is buried in All Saints Cemetery in Warwick, R. I.

     Rest in peace.   

Det. Edward F. Laborio

      Detective Edward F. Laborio was appointed to the CPD on February 26, 1951.  He was a Coast Guard veteran of World War II, and a member of the VFW.  He was one of the founding members of the International Brotherhood of Police Officers.  He served the citizens of Cranston for 32 years before retiring as a detective in 1983.  He passed away on July 4, 1988 and is buried in St. Ann’s Cemetery.   

     Rest in peace.

Sgt. Albert Burnside

     Sergeant Albert “Perry” Burnside was appointed to the Cranston Police Department on April 28, 1958 and retired in 1978 after serving the citizens of Cranston for 20 years.  After retiring, he worked as a RIPTA bus driver for ten years.  He passed away on September 1, 1988, survived by his wife, mother, sister, and two daughters, and three grandchildren. 

     Rest in Peace.  

     Lieutenant Howard S. Sharples passed away on January 21, 1989 at the age of 76.  He was born in Attleboro, Massachusetts, but lived in Cranston most of his life.   He served with the CPD from 1964 until his retirement in 1975.  He then became a traffic engineer for the city.   He was an army veteran of World War II.  He’s buried in Pawtuxet Memorial Park in Warwick, R. I. 

     Rest in peace.