2023 -- H 5247

========

LC001051

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

____________

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXTENDING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF VINCENT VESPIA, JR.

     Introduced By: Representatives Fogarty, McEntee, Craven, Shekarchi, Blazejewski,
Tanzi, Spears, Chippendale, Hull, and Kennedy

     Date Introduced: January 26, 2023

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, It is with sadness that this House learned of the passing of former South

Kingstown Police Chief Vincent Vespia, Jr., the beloved husband of Judith-Ann Vespia, and the

cherished father of daughters, Robin Vespia, Renee Caouette and her husband, Ronald, and the

late Rhonda Ann Vespia. He was also the very proud grandfather of Dylan and Tyler Gershkoff,

Dante Caouette, and the late Chad O’Brien; and

     WHEREAS, Vincent Vespia grew up on Federal Hill and the East Side of the City of

Providence, the son of Eileen and Vincent Vespia, Sr., and the brother of Jay Vespia and the late

Robert Vespia. After serving in the United States Army, he attended the Rhode Island State

Police Academy; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Vespia joined the Rhode Island State Police in 1959, initially as a

motorcycle trooper and in 1964, he was appointed to the detective division, where he served for

eighteen years as a detective, fearlessly investigating organized crime and earning a reputation for

being tenacious and honest and being “a titan mob-fighter.” He also served briefly as acting

Coventry Police Chief in the 1970s; and

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

became Chief of the South Kingstown Police Department. He was the town’s longest-serving top

cop, retiring in 2016 at the age of 78, after having spent a 57-year career in law enforcement; and

     WHEREAS, Vincent Vespia possessed extraordinary leadership skills and was known for

his professionalism, equanimity, and law enforcement expertise. He was loved and admired by

his officers and commended and honored by his peers and the community with myriad awards

throughout his career including being the first-ever inductee into the Rhode Island Criminal

Justice Hall of Fame in 2012; and

     WHEREAS, Vincent Vespia loved helping people and had fully earned the reputation as

"probably the most admired law enforcement officer" in Rhode Island. He will be sorely missed

but leaves an enduring legacy as a mentor and role model for admirable and extraordinary public

service; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

extends deepest condolences on the passing of Vincent Vespia, Jr.; 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 Mrs. Judy Vespia and Family.

========

LC001051

========

LC001051 - Page 2 of 2