Cranston Police Department Retirees Association
The organization for retired members of the Cranston, RI Police Department
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.
Ptl. Charles H. Smith
Badge No. 9
Patrolman Charles H. Smith was appointed a police constable in 1896. When Cranston incorporated as a city in June of 1910 and formally established a full-time police department, he was one of the first ten permanent patrolmen appointed. He passed away on September 10, 1916 and is buried at the Pocasset Cemetery in Cranston.
The Evening Times
(Pawtucket, R. I.)
September 11, 1916, pg. 9
Rest in peace.
