Cranston Police Department Retirees Association
The organization for retired members of the Cranston, RI Police Department
Lieutenant Raymond J. Caniglia
Lieutenant Raymond James Caniglia, (42), passed away on July 10, 1944, when he and another man were fatally injured when an kerosene drum exploded in the basement of a home on Cranston Street. He was not on duty at the time.
Lt. Caniglia was appointed a special officer in 1918, and was appointed to the regular force in 1922. He was promoted to sergeant in August of 1939, and then to lieutenant on October 1, 1941.
He was survived by a wife and a son.
Rest in Peace.
Patrolman William J. Olausen joined the Cranston Police in 1938, but resigned when he enlisted in the U. S. Army on August 28, 1942 to serve in WWII. He subsequently lost his life on May 25, 1944 in the service of his country while serving as a sergeant with the 612 Ordinance Div. in Manchester, England. He was a member of the Doric Lodge of Masons, and St. Andrew Brotherhood at St. James Church. He’s buried in All Saints Cemetery in Warwick.
Chief Nelson G. Bourret
Chief of Police Nelson G. Bourret was born November 7, 1895, and was appointed to the CPD in 1917, but resigned shortly thereafter to join the army and serve his country during WWI. He served in combat overseas. When the war ended and he was discharged, he rejoined the department in 1919. He was promoted to sergeant on January 31, 1929, and then to Lieutenant in the 1930s. Upon the death of Chief Miller in 1941, he was promoted Chief. He served in that capacity until 1950. He passed away on June 9, 1955, and is buried in Rehoboth Village Cemetery in Rehoboth, Massachusetts.
Rest in Peace.
Ptl. Ernest C. Potter
Patrolman Ernest Clinton Potter passed away in 1955 at the age of 55-56. He’s buried in Oakland Cemetery in Cranston.
Rest in peace.
Patrolman Willis King Yeaw, Jr., passed away on October 27, 1962 at the age of 68. He was a U. S. Navy veteran of World War I. He was a Cranston police officer as early as 1924. He’s buried in Highland Memorial Park in Johnston, R. I.
Rest in peace.