A Nationally Accredited Law Enforcement Agency
This page is dedicated to the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice. For their families and their communities they gave their lives in the line of duty.
On June 16, 1925, Trooper John Weber, while in the performance of his duty, died from injuries sustained from a motorcycle accident. Trooper Weber was fatally injured when his motorcycle collided with an automobile on Boston Post Road, Wakefield - just a few feet from the entrance to the Rhode Island State Police new training quarters. He had just left the barracks enroute to Westerly, when he collided with the right side of an automobile. Trooper Weber was the first member of the Department of the state Police to lose his life in a motorcycle accident. Trooper John Weber gave his life while in the performance of his duty.
On December 18th, 1931, Trooper Arthur L. Staples, Jr., while in the performance of his duty, was slain in North Kingstown. Trooper Staples was shot twice in the head when he attempted to arrest Armand E. Lescaut and Phillip Janelle, two 16-year-old Pawtucket youths who had stolen a car. Lescaut had confessed to firing the fatal shots and to have left Trooper Staples by the side of Tower Hill Road after abandoning the stolen car. Trooper Staples gave his life while in the performance of his duty, and died upholding the highest traditions of the Rhode Island State Police.
On May 30th, 1934, Lieutenant Poole, while in the performance of his duty, went to arrest Peter Freeman, who had been creating a disturbance at the farm where he was employed in Wickford. Freeman, without provocation, shot Lt. Poole and then fired additional shots into his prostrate body. Lt. Poole died about thirty minutes later. Prior to and during the shooting, Lt. Poole displayed great courage as evidenced by his reluctance to shoot the man whom he knew to be armed. He died upholding the highest traditions of the Rhode Island State Police. Lt. Poole was posthumously awarded the State Police Service Ribbon.
On June 27, 1937, Trooper Joseph J. Gallivan, while in the performance of his duty, died from injuries sustained from an automobile accident. Trooper Gallivan along with Trooper Hart were enroute to a fire in Ashaway when the cruiser which Trooper Gallivan was driving skidded on Nooseneck Hill Road, knocked over an iron rail fence, then struck a concrete marker. It had been raining very hard and visibility was poor. Trooper Gallivan was the first member of the Department of State Police to lose his life in an automobile since its inception in 1925. Trooper Joseph J. Gallivan died upholding the highest traditions of the Rhode Island State Police.
On May 6th, 1941, Trooper Bradford G. Mott, while in the performance of his duty, died from injuries sustained from a motorcycle crash on Post Road in North Kingstown. Trooper Mott was traveling on Post Road when witnesses state that it appeared his motorcycle was experiencing mechanical difficulty, when it was seen to leave the highway and crash against a pole. The cause of the accident remained a mystery to investigating officers. Trooper Mott gave his life while in the performance of his duty.
On August 31st, 1954, Trooper Daniel L. O'Brien, while in the performance of his duty, was drowned in East Matunuck while engaged in the rescue of persons endangered by the raging sea overflow caused by Hurricane Carol. Trooper O'Brien lost his life at Succotash Road in East Matunuck only a few minutes after he had warned two residents to leave the area. His cruiser was crippled by rapidly rising water. He radioed Hope Valley Barracks that he had abandoned the car and would be walking to higher ground. While helping a citizen, a large wave separated the two men and this witness stated that he had saw Trooper O'Brien some 30 feet away surrounded by debris. Trooper O'Brien died upholding the highest traditions of the Rhode Island state Police. Trooper O'Brien was posthumously awarded the State Police Service ribbon.
