Fort Dumplings, Newport, R. I.
50 Years Ago – June, 1972
On June 4, members of Cub Scout Pack 3 of Greenville, sponsored by St. Philip’s Church, held a picnic at Waterman Lake. Cub scouts Christopher Manocchia and Thomas Phillips won the fly fishing derby.
In Smithfield police news, a ground breaking ceremony was held to begin construction of the town’s new police station. Officials present included Senator Claiborne Pell, Chief Arthur Gould, Deputy Chief James McVey, S. Burton and Mary Mowry who donated the land, Town Council President Allan Schwartz, Councilman John Emin, and Building Committee Chairman Orlando Spinella.
The department held a training school open to all Smithfield officers, as well as officers from Glocester and members of the Bryant College Security Patrol. Each attendee received a certificate at completion.
Officers Robert LaChapelle and Saverio E. Serapiglia were promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Sgt. Serapiglia was also named to the newly created position of Inspector, and put in charge of the department’s detective division.
Wayne Saco was appointed a probationary officer to the department.
State officials warned residents living along Slack’s Pond that a bacterial disease that could be passed to humans was killing off fish. It was advised that any dead fish along the shoreline should be removed using shovels or rakes, and not be handled with bare hands.
Gloria Thomas, Barbara Stamp, Cynthia Martone, and Sally Butterfield, of the Apple Valley Junior Women’s Club, planted shrubbery around the Greenville Grange Hall.
On June 11 the Georgiaville Fire Company held a firemen’s memorial ceremony honoring deceased members.
Beverly Dobson was presented with an award by the Smithfield Jaycees. The award recognized any Smithfield resident who’d provided an outstanding service to the community. Beverly was honored for her dedication and hard work with the Smithfield Historical Society.
A local car dealership advertised a 1964 Ford thunderbird convertible for a mere $595. A quick check of the Internet indicates that the same car today, depending on condition, is selling between thirty and forty thousand dollars.
The Hearthside Ladies Bowling League held a banquet at the Alpine Country Club in Cranston, and over 500 people attended.
If one went to the Apple Valley Cinema they may have seen “The French Connection”, the story of two NYPD detectives tracking an international drug ring; or “Skyjacked”, a move about a hijacked airliner. Or perhaps “Klute” a crime thriller involving a prostitute and a police detective, and “The Last Picture Show”, a coming of age movie set in the 1950s.
High School Junior Ellen Provonsil was crowned Smithfield Junior Prom Queen by class president Jim Lawson. Members of the queen’s court included Karen Henriksen, Susan Winsor, Brenda Cardente, Kathy Marzilli, Sharon McDermott, and Debra Cerroni.
Smithfield School Superintendent John K. Boyle was elected president of the Rhode Island Association of School Superintendents. He’d served as Superintendent since 1963.
It was announced that an indoor tennis facility would be erected off Church Street in Greenville at an estimated cost of $250,000.
Heidi Allen, Polly Parsakian, Kathy Arruda, and Kathy Abbatematteo, of the Smithfield High School Girls Relay Team won the Rhode Island Interscholastic Track Championship.
Track team member June Bissel set a new state record for the high jump.
A National “Smokey Bear Poster Contest” was held, and Maureen Gustafson, age 8, sponsored by the Apple Blossom Garden Club, won first prize. She was awarded a large Smokey Bear teddy bear.
As a suggested Father’s Day gift, one local business was offering a portable transistor radio that could receive AM/FM transmissions, as well as police and weather broadcasts. Regularly $39.95, marked down to $24.95.
Vintage State Police/Highway Patrol Patches
This page was created using vintage patches from the private collection. Although not specific to Smithfield history, the information contained here is not readily available elsewhere. It is therefore hoped that collectors, historians, and researchers, will find it helpful.
This posting primarily shows obsolete/vintage patches worn by our nation’s state police, state patrol, and highway patrol agencies, and does not depict every style that each department has worn over the years.
Click on images to enlarge.

A possible prototype of the current issue patch. This one has a fully embroidered background, the current issue has blue felt. There are also blue stripes on the Connecticut banner at the top which are not on the current issue.

Early version of the current issue patch worn by the department. First worn in 1954. Note the upturned “Excelsior” banner.

Grey version of current issue patch. Current issue has a much darker background. This style had been worn since 1966.
Defunct State Highway Law Enforcement Agencies
Some states had other law enforcement agencies whose duties included (among other things.) patrolling state highways and enforcing motor vehicle traffic laws. One such agency is the now defunct Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles Police.
Like the Massachusetts State Police, the registry police had statewide jurisdiction to enforce traffic laws, investigate traffic accidents, inspect commercial vehicles, and additionally oversee license testing. The agency was absorbed by the Massachusetts State Police in 1992, and no longer exists.
Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicle Police
New York State Parkway Commission Police
The New York State Parkway Police were established in 1946 as the Long Island State Park Police. Their primary function was to patrol Long Island’s state parks and parkways/highways. Duties included enforcing traffic laws, commercial vehicle inspection, and accident investigation. The agencies first patch was a black felt triangle. At some point between 1946 and 1950, the agency adopted a shield shaped patch with the word “commission” added. In 1950 the department changed its name to the New York State Parkway Police. The agency went defunct in 1980, and the New York State Police assumed their duties.