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.  

Cranston Mirror, January 5, 1984

     March 22, 2010 – It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Detective William F. Quinn, who passed away on March 21, 2010 at his home in Cranston.  Born in Providence on April 6, 1942, he was the son of the late Robert and Ellen (Mahoney) Quinn.  After serving in the U.S. Navy for two year, Bill was appointed to the Cranston Police Department in 1966.  During his dedicated career protecting the citizens of Cranston, he served in the Patrol, Traffic, and the Detective Divisions for over 30 years before retiring in 1996.  He also served with the U.S. Marshall Service in Providence, and most recent with the RI State Police Violent Fugitive Task Force for 11 years before retiring three years ago.  Besides his loving wife of over 44 years, Janice (Fitzgerald) Quinn, he is survived by his children David W., Brian J. and Suzy Quinn, a brother James Quinn and cousin David Barry.  He was also the grandfather of Devin William Quinn, who was the joy of his life.  Bill enjoyed golfing, hockey, and an occasional cold one.  None of us will ever forget his dry wit or dynamic smile which made our day.  Rest in Peace Our brother.

Det. Sgt. Frank Gill

     April 9, 2010 – It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Detective Sgt. Frank Gill who passed away on April 7, 2010.Born on May 5, 1941 to the late Frank and Helen Gill of Hope, RI, Sgt. Gill proudly served the citizens of Cranston until his retirement from the Cranston Police Department in 1987.  Frank was a graduate of Bryant College, the University of Rhode Island, and Salve Regina University. Upon him and his wife Karyl moving to Sarasota, Florida, Sgt. Gill was able to spend more time on the golf course which was his passion in life.  Although playing golf was great, his love for law enforcement was even greater.  Eventually he joined the Manatee County Sheriff’s Department and worked there for 13 years before retiring with the rank of Deputy 1st class in January 2001.Besides his wife Karyl, he is survived by his son Frank Gill and step-daughters Wendy Fournier and Jody Costa.  Frank, you will be greatly missed by all of us.  Keep hitting those golfs ball straight.

Major Edward Manocchia

     May 11, 2010 – It is with profound sadness  that we announce the passing of Maj Edward R. Manocchia, Sr. on May 8, 2010.Ed was sworn in as a patrolman on April 28, 1958; promoted to Sergeant on May 16, 1966, Promoted to Lieutenant on July 29, 1969; promoted to Captain on September 29, 1977; promoted to Major on August 1, and retired on September 1, 1987.  He was the husband of Jean (Gustafson) Manocchia.  Besides his wife, he is survived by his four children; Gail (Michael) Calvitto of Johnston, Donna (Gary) Pagel of Harrison, Maine, and Carol Smith and Edward R. (Lorna) Manocchia Jr., both of Cranston.  He also leave ten grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. Ed was a bright man earning a Bachelor’s Degree from Providence College magna cum laude and an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Roger Williams also magna cum laude. In addition to being a co-founder of the Cranston Police Union I.B.P.O. #301, he also established a reputation as a skillful polygraph examiner.  During these interviews, “Edward the Confessor” would make the subjects feel so comfortable that they would be forthcoming with all sorts of details. Despite his gruff exterior Ed was a fun-loving man with a heart of gold.  In addition to being a masterful joke teller, Ed loved to play practical jokes, a passion he passed on to his children and grandchildren.  He lived his life by these personal beliefs: Always leave them laughing; and, most importantly to Ed, his “Rule #3” – Never take yourself too seriously.  He will be greatly missed.

Inspector Bruce Andersen

     2010 or 2011

     Inspector Bruce R. Andersen was appointed to the Cranston Police Department  on September 8, 1965.  For the first 14 years he was assigned to the patrol division and then worked 3 years as a traffic specialist before transferring to the prosecution division where he remained until his retirement.  At one point he also served as the department’s armorer and range officer. 

     Rest in peace. 

Captain Ernest DelMonico

     February 7, 2012 – It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of Captain Ernest D. Delmonico, 86, who served 34 years on the Cranston Police Department.  Prior to the police department, he served with the U.S. Army during WWII.  He is survived by his wife Anna, and daughters Ann and Lisa, and his son Earnest, who is a retired lieutenant of the Cranston Fire Department.  Rest in peace our brother.  

Ernie Delmonico – 1960s.