2023 -- H 5247
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S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
EXTENDING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE P ASSING 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 1
Kingstown Police Chief Vincent Vespia, Jr., the beloved husband of Judith-Ann Vespia, and the 2
cherished father of daughters, Robin Vespia, Renee Caouette and her husband, Ronald, and the 3
late Rhonda Ann Vespia. He was also the very proud grandfather of Dylan and Tyler Gershkoff, 4
Dante Caouette, and the late Chad O’Brien; and 5
WHEREAS, Vincent Vespia grew up on Federal Hill and the East Side of the City of 6
Providence, the son of Eileen and Vincent Vespia, Sr., and the brother of Jay Vespia and the late 7
Robert Vespia. After serving in the United States Army, he attended the Rhode Island State 8
Police Academy; and 9
WHEREAS, Mr. Vespia joined the Rhode Island State Police in 1959, initially as a 10
motorcycle trooper and in 1964, he was appointed to the detective division, where he served for 11
eighteen years as a detective, fearlessly investigating organized crime and earning a reputation for 12
being tenacious and honest and being “a titan mob-fighter.” He also served briefly as acting 13
Coventry Police Chief in the 1970s; and 14
WHEREAS, In 1981, Chief Vespia retired from the State Police and shortly thereafter, 15
became Chief of the South Kingstown Police Department. He was the town’s longest-serving top 16
cop, retiring in 2016 at the age of 78, after having spent a 57-year career in law enforcement; and 17
WHEREAS, Vincent Vespia possessed extraordinary leadership skills and was known for 18
his professionalism, equanimity, and law enforcement expertise. He was loved and admired by 19
his officers and commended and honored by his peers and the community with myriad awards 20
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throughout his career including being the first-ever inductee into the Rhode Island Criminal 1
Justice Hall of Fame in 2012; and 2
WHEREAS, Vincent Vespia loved helping people and had fully earned the reputation as 3
"probably the most admired law enforcement officer" in Rhode Island. He will be sorely missed 4
but leaves an enduring legacy as a mentor and role model for admirable and extraordinary public 5
service; now, therefore be it 6
RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby 7
extends deepest condolences on the passing of Vincent Vespia, Jr.; and be it further 8
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 9
transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mrs. Judy Vespia and Family. 10
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