Sgt. William H. Maher

     Sgt. William Henry Maher was appointed a police constable in 1908, and latter appointed a permanent member of the force.  He was promoted to sergeant in 1922.  He passed away at his home on Franklin Street on December 11, 1924 after a brief illness. He was 41.  He was survived by his wife and three children.  He’s buried in St. Francis Cemetery in Pawtucket, R.I. 

     Rest in peace.

Sgt. Maher, 1920s

Sergeant Maher, circa 1921

Cranston City Times
December 11, 1924

Sgt. Fred H. Guile

     Sgt. Fred H. Guile  was appointed to the CPD on July 19, 1946.  As a patrolman he served in the Traffic Division.  He was promoted to sergeant on August 28, 1961.  He retired in February of 1965.   

     Officer Peter L. McGuirl passed away suddenly on June 19, 1937, a few hours after completing his shift.  He’s buried in St. Ann’s Cemetery. 

     No further information is known at this time. 

     Patrolman Harold E. Greenhalgh is known to have been serving on the Cranston Police Department in 1938, and was still serving in the 1950s.  No further info at this time. 

Click on article to enlarge.

Cranston Herald
August 19, 1943

Ptl. Carl Fascia

     Officer Carl Fascia passed away suddenly on December 15, 1956, at the age of 41. He was well known in boxing circles and had earned the title of uncrowned Middle-Weight Champion of New England. He established the Fraternal Order of Police Junior Boxing League  

Det. John T. Enos

     Appointed to the CPD on September 1, 1947.   He retired a detective. 

Capt. Rowland G. Cornell

     Captain Rowland G. Cornell was born January 17, 1902.  He was appointed to the CPD in 1936; promoted to sergeant in 1944; to lieutenant in 1945, and to captain on July 1, 1954.  He was a member of the Cranston Police Relief Association, the Ionic Lodge of Masons, Philips Memorial Church, and the Fraternal Order of Police.  He passed away suddenly on October 26, 1956, at the age of 54.   

     Rest in peace. 

Ptl. Ernest J. Deschene

     Patrolman Ernest Joseph Deschene was appointed to the CPD on August 29, 1929.  

Chief John Bigbee
Cranston’s first Chief of Police.
1886 – 1908

     Chief John Bigbee was Cranston’s first Chief of Police.  He came to Cranston in 1868, and was appointed a police constable in 1878.  In 1880 he was elected Town Sergeant.  In 1886 he was elected Chief of Police, and served in both positions until his death in 1908.  He died as a result of an injury he received while fighting a fire near Cranston Street and Gansett Avenue.  The injury led to blood poisoning and he passed away on December 11, 1908.  He’s buried in St. Ann’s Cemetery. 

     He is also the first (known) Cranston police officer to die in the line of duty. 

     Rest in peace.