EAST PROVIDENCE, RI – The City of East Providence held a dedication at City Hall on Thursday memorializing the deceased members of the East Providence Fire and Police Departments who died in the line of duty.
Mayor Bob Dasilva, Chief William Nebus, Acting Chief Glenn Quick met with police and fire retirees who wanted to honor all of those who have passed serving the community. Together, the city’s leadership, retirees and the IAFF – Local 850 and IBPO Local 569, planned the dedication, which included a prayer by The Rev. John E. Unsworth and Taps by East Providence High School student Lily Bolarinho.
“Although we have two very beautiful memorials – one at the police station and one at station 4 – we felt it important to have something available so that the people who visit City Hall on a daily basis are reminded of the ultimate sacrifice that these people paid in service to our community,” Mayor DaSilva said.
“The fallen members listed on this plaque reported to work one day on one of those faithful days and never came home to their families – they all gave their lives to protecting the lives of the citizens of our great city,” Acting Chief Glenn Quick said. “They all made the ultimate sacrifice - may they rest in peace.”
“We thank our retired members for pushing this issue I’d hate for a new generation of cops to not know Alister McGregor the way I knew him, just as I didn’t know Peter Pepin the way his friends and family knew him,” Chief Nebus said. “These three gentlemen on the plaque came to work just like the men and women in uniform behind you – they had no idea what they would encounter that day.
“It was a typical routine work day but they never made it home,” Nebus added. It’s important for us to remember that, that can happen at any moment.”
Peter F. Pepin
Police Captain
End of Watch - November 4, 1922
Leonard Anderson
Fire Fighter – Engine Company #1
Last Alarm - July 11, 1927
Arthur H. Ring
Fire Fighter – Engine Company # 1
Last Alarm - October 21, 1938
Joseph M. Handfield
Fire Fighter – Ladder Company #3
Last Alarm - January 15, 1947
Robert A. McPherson
Lieutenant – Engine Company #2
End of Watch - July 10, 1957
James R. Caruso
Police Officer
End of Watch - January 6, 1958
Alister C. McGregor
Police Major
End of Watch - December 27, 2001
