Chief James G. Miller

     Chief of Police James G. Miller passed away on August 15, 1941.  He was born in Millville, Massachusetts, on August 8, 1876.  He was appointed a Cranston police constable in 1896, and was one of the first ten full-time patrolmen when the city established a permanent police department in 1910.  

     Chief Miller was appointed Chief of Police in January of 1929, and is credited with establishing the first city police training school for perspective officers, as well as in-service-training for veteran officers. 

     Rest in peace.

Badge worn by Chief James Miller

Chief Jim Miller 1938

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.