East Providence Police Officers Honor Their Fallen

Family members, community groups and elected officials gathered behind the rows of chairs seating family members of East Providence's finest Sunday morning. The occasion was the seventh annual East Providence Police Officers' Memorial Service, held at the . The well-attended event was sponsored by the city's Fraternal Order of Police and Fraternal Order of Police Associates' Lodge #1.

The East Providence Elk Riders from Lodge 2537 also had a strong showing, as they lined their motorcycles in front of the station before the service began. According to President Mike Ottone, The group has made a commitment to attend the annual memorial service, along with other police events.

"Our lodge is a charitable organization," Ottone said. "We ourselves are a fraternal organization, so we appreciate what they're doing."

Ottone jokingly added that the Elk Riders' yearly support of the memorial service was one way to combat stereotypes between bikers and the department.

"We like to keep on the good side of the police," he said, smiling. "In all seriousness, this lets the police and the greater community know who we are and that we care about [East Providence] just as much as anyone else."

Several politicians were also in attendance, including Mayor Bruce Rogers, Assistant Mayor Thomas Rose, Councilman Michael D. DiGioia and U.S. Congressman David Cicilline. Ward 1 Councilwoman Katie Kleyla was slated to sing the National Anthem, but did not attend due to what emcee Candy Seel described as a "family emergency".

Chief of Police Joseph Tavares opened the speaking portion of the service with insight into how his view of the role of police officers has changed throughout his career.

"As a young officer, I used to think it was us against them," he said. "I only hung around with other cops. They were the only people I trusted."

Tavares went on to say that as he matured, he realized that there is more "we," namely the "circle" of parents, significant others and children who support those serving as police.

Mayor Rogers took the podium as the service's featured speaker and soon found himself becoming emotional as he spoke of his personal ties to the East Providence Police Department.

Rogers' father, Henry W. Rogers, worked for the department for 35 years. After his speech, Rogers spoke emotionally recounted his connections to the Waterman Avenue station.

"There's a lot of my own history here," he said. "My father was on the force, and my mother was involved, too. We had a hand in building this station, too. This department and this place are very important to me."

After the speakers, the wreath was placed in front of the stone memorial which listed the names of all the East Providence officers who have died, either in the line of duty or since.

2011 saw the passing of Robert W. Enos (1958-2011) who died at home of natural causes. His name the last to be read from behind the podium and is etched in department's stone monument.