2017 -- S 0088

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LC000655

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

HONORING CHIEF VINCENT VESPIA, JR., ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT

ON NOVEMBER 1, 2016, AFTER FIFTY-SEVEN YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE IN

LAW ENFORCEMENT

     Introduced By: Senators Sosnowski, Algiere, Sheehan, Goodwin, and Ruggerio

     Date Introduced: January 18, 2017

     Referred To: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar

     WHEREAS, In 1959, upon his honorable discharge from the United States Army, South

Kingstown Police Chief Vincent Vespia, Jr., began his distinguished career in law enforcement

with the Rhode Island State Police, patrolling the state's highways on a motorcycle; and

     WHEREAS, In 1981, Chief Vespia retired from the State Police and shortly thereafter,

was named Police Chief for the Town of South Kingstown. Over the ensuing thirty-five years, he

instituted numerous initiatives and training programs, and built a leadership team that has

provided the foundation for excellence within the South Kingstown Police Department. He

currently oversees fifty-three officers within the department; and

     WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure in law enforcement, Chief Vespia has consistently

demonstrated integrity and outstanding leadership skills and has amassed an inspiring record of

untarnished excellence and accomplishment. He has also earned numerous awards, citations, and

honors, and is a member of a plethora of professional organizations; and

     WHEREAS, In addition to his many years in law enforcement, Chief Vespia is also the

husband of Judith-Ann, and together they are the parents of three daughters and the very proud

grandparents of four grandchildren; and

     WHEREAS, On November 1st of 2016, Chief Vespia retired having earned the

distinction of being the longest-serving Police Chief in the State of Rhode Island and attaining the

respect and admiration of his fellow "brothers in blue" and the citizens of South Kingstown and

the State of Rhode Island; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby recognizes, honors, and thanks Chief Vincent Vespia, Jr., on the occasion of his retirement

after 35 years of steadfast and unselfish service to the people of South Kingstown and more than

fifty-seven years of service to the people of the State of Rhode Island. We furthermore wish him

good health, fulfillment, and continued success in all his future endeavors; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Chief Vincent Vespia, Jr.

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