Det. Joe Mignano
Badge 162

     October 29, 2008 – It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Officer Joseph A. Mignano of Beacon Drive, North Kingstown, RI. who passed away on October 27, 2008 at Kent Memorial Hospital. A 1963 graduate of Cranston High East who attended Providence College, Roger Williams College, and U.R.I., he was sworn into the Cranston Police Department on July 21, 1969.  During his 30 years of dedicated service some of his duties included assignment to the Tactical Unit working undercover assignments in Drug and Organized Crime investigations, a special liaison to the R.I. Attorney General’s office to assist in prosecuting felony cases, and the armorer and firearms instructor for the department. Over the years, he received numerous commendations and citations including but not limited to the Medal of Valor for his actions during a shootout in Cranston and was also recognized by The Federal Law Enforcement Officer’s Association. Also active in the community, Joe’s community activities included coaching C.L.C.F. youth football and youth basketball, Cranston Western Little League Baseball, and was president of the league, and Cranston Babe Ruth for many years.  He was also responsible in organizing the Babe Ruth World Series in Cranston. Besides his wife Diane (Nabb) and parents, he is survived by his loving children; Joseph A. Mignao Jr. of North Kingstown, Michaela E. Mignano and her fiance Chad Thomas of Tiverton, and Christopher Mignano of PA.  He was the devoted grandfather of Isabel and Sienna Mignano and cousin of Fred Palmieri, Joe Palmieri, and Linda Pinsoneault. Joe’s kind act of generosity, friendship and his keen sense of humor will be sadly missed by all his family, friends, and CPD family.  Rest in Peace our Brother.

Detective Gary Roy
Appointed Jan. 10, 1972

     November 17, 2008 – It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of Detective Gary Roy, 61, who passed away peacefully at his home in Sebastian, Florida. He was born in Providence, in 1947, to Wilfred and Ida Roy.  He is survived by his wife Laurie, his daughter, Michelle, and a grand-daughter.  Rest in peace our brother.    

Captain James H. Gibbs
Appointed Sept. 8, 1965

     November 19, 2008 – We sadly announce the passing of Captain James H. Gibbs, 66, the son of former Cranston police chief J. Howard Gibbs.  He was appointed to the CPD in September of 1965, and promoted to sergeant in 1976, and to lieutenant in March of 1982.  He retired at the rank of Captain in 1987.  He held a Bachelors of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Bryant College.

     After his retirement in 1987 he worked for the Registry of Motor Vehicles, and for the Department of Labor and Training.  He’s buried at St. Ann’s Cemetery in Cranston.  Rest in peace our brother.  

Detective Paul Rousseau

     November 29, 2008 – It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Detective Paul L. Rousseau, Jr., 44, of Cape Coral, Florida.  During his career Paul served in the Patrol Division, and the Traffic Division, where he rendered his expertise as an Accident Reconstructionist.  He later served in the Detective Division. He was born in Providence, the son of Paul L. Rousseau, Sr., and Judy M. (Studley) Rousseau.   He’s buried in St. Ann’s Cemetery.  Rest in peace our brother.  

Patrolman Dan Cipalone – c. 1955

     November 30, 2008 – It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of Detective Daniel P. Cipalone, 85.  Born in Johnston, R.I. in 1926, he was the son of Giovanni and Beatrice (Coia) Cipalone.  Dan served in the navy during WWII.  He was appointed to the Cranston Police Department on August 2, 1954, and served for 30 years before retiring on September 21, 1984.  Dan also served as a Federal Marshal, and as the Treasurer of the Cranston Police Retirees Association.  His son Glen is also a Cranston police officer. Rest in peace our brother.  

Chief George J. Coffey
1968 – 1976

     February 28, 2009 – It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Chief George J. Coffey of Norwood Ave., Cranston who passed away with his family at his side.  Chief Coffey was a graduate of Cranston High School and appointed as a Cranston Police Constable on January 1, 1943.  The following year, officer Coffey was appointed as a permanent officer and his first assignment was walking a beat in the Edgewood area.  He was then moved to the Motorcycle Squad in 1949, then up the ladder to Detective, Sergeant,  Lieutenant, Captain, (Capt. on Aug. 28, 1961.), and appointed Chief of Police in 1968.  Upon his retirement in 1977 after 34 years of dedicated service to the citizens of Cranston, Chief Coffey joined the RI Capital Police in 1982 and retired on August 31, 2001.Also active in the community, Chief Coffey was a former Vice-President of the New England Chiefs of Police, a member of the Cranston Fraternal Order of Police, the Cranston Police Department’s Retiree Association, Cranston Rotary, Knights of Columbus, St. Paul’s Council No.2385 and was a communicant at St. Paul’s Church since Boyhood. Born in Providence to the late James J. and Sarah (Slavin) Coffey, he is survived by his loving wife  Sophie (Mojkowski) of 58 years and his children Dennis, Judy, Brian, Kevin, and Deborah. 

     Rest in peace Chief.  You will never be forgotten.

Det. William T. White, Jr.

     July 2, 2009 – It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Detective William T. White, Jr., 78, who passed away in Miriam Hospital.   He was born in Providence on June 6, 1931, and was hired by the police department on March 3, 1954.  After serving for 30 years, he retired on Sept. 3, 1982, and went to work for the R. I. Family Court system as Supervisor of Clerks. He was a 1974 graduate of Salve Regina University in Newport.  Rest in peace our brother. 

Officer Rick Norberg

     August 22, 2009 – It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Officer Richard (Rick) W. Norberg.  He was born in Providence, Oct. 8, 1946, the son of E. Theodore and Shirley (Doane) Norberg.  He was a 1980 graduate of Salve Regina University in Newport, with a BA in Criminal Justice.  After his retirement in 1987 he worked for Pepsi Cola for fifteen years before passing. He is survived by his wife Cynthia, and his three sons, Richard, Ryan, and Mathew.  Rest in Peace our brother.     

     September 18, 2009 – We regret to announce the passing of Sergeant John W. O’Brien, 83, of Warwick.  John was a WWII navy veteran, and was appointed to the department on September 1, 1950, and was promoted to sergeant on August 28, 1961.  He is survived by his four children, John, Daniel, Diane, and Patricia, as well as ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Rest in peace our brother.   

Chief Thomas M. Harrington

     November 7, 2009

     Chief of Police Thomas M. Harrington passed away on November 7, 2009 at the age of 74.  As a sergeant he served as the department’s first Prosecution Division supervisor, and as a lieutenant he volunteered in Cranston public schools speaking with students on the role of the police in the criminal justice system.  As a captain he spearheaded a program to institute a new computer report-dictation system that allowed officers to call in reports from the road.  This system was the first of its kind in Rhode Island.  Chief Harrington served the citizens of Cranston for 30 years before retiring in 1986.  He then went on to serve as administrator of the Department of Motor Vehicles for 15 years before retiring again in 2000. 

     Rest in peace.