Click on image to enlarge.
Olneyville Times
October 11, 1907
Smithfield Constables Sworn In – 1917
November 26, 2025
These men were appointed because the United States had just entered World War I on April 6.
Click on image to enlarge.
Woonsocket Call & Evening Reporter
April 9, 1917
Police Capture Fugitives – 1936
March 19, 2021
On February 4, 1936, four Providence police detectives and two state police officers parked their cars on Douglas Pike just north of Twin River Road and made their way into the woods towards a closed Girl Scout camp. Information had been received that two juvenile escapees from the Sockanosset School who were responsible for a recent series of burglaries were hiding in the lone cabin there. The officers trekked for about a mile through rain and slushy snow before they came upon a string hanging across a trail at waist height. The string was connected to items designed to make noise and warn the youths of anyone’s approach. They skirted the trap and moved in on the cabin. Once inside they discovered evidence of recent habitation, but didn’t see the youths. After a search, one was found hiding under the porch, and the other in the eaves of the roof. The youths and some recovered stolen property were taken to Providence.
Source: Woonsocket Call, “Two Sockanosset Fugitives Trapped In Camp Hideout”, February 5, 1936, page 9
Sgt. Norman Vezina, Smithfield Police, Memorial Poem
December 6, 2020
Sgt. Norman G. Vezina
Sgt. Norman G. Vezina of the Smithfield Police department lost his life in the line of duty on December 10, 1968 while attempting to rescue a 5-year-old child who’d fallen through thin ice.
On December 12, 1970, a memorial service was held for Sgt. Vezina at St. Michael’s Church in Gerogiaville. At that time, fellow Smithfield police officer, Sgt. Prescott J. Williams, Jr., wrote a poem honoring Vezina which appeared in the December 17th, issue of The Observer.
One of our brothers, has departed,
it was on a cold December day.
While performing his duty as a policeman,
trying to save a child at play.
We’re not known to be the greatest,
we’re not known to be the best.
But while performing our duties as policemen,
we do our very best.
On that sad day, may we all pray,
when Norman was laid to rest,
while performing his duties as a policeman,
he did his very best.
he will be long remembered,
by us, from day to day,
for performing his duty as a policeman,
and the price he was asked to pay.
There is no way of knowing,
no words that can define,
while performing the duties of a policeman,
life may end at any time.
Captain Prescott J. Williams, Jr.
Smithfield R.I. Police Badges
April 22, 2020
Click on images to enlarge.
Worn By Sayles Williams.
The eagle-top badge below was found by a man digging for bottles along the Blackstone River in Lincoln, R.I., in early 2020. No further information is known about it at this time, but the present owner is conducting research.
Worn prior to 1976
Current badges have the title of “Police Officer”
The emblem in the center is the police station before renovations.
Possibly a prototype.
In a private collection in Massachusetts.
Smithfield Bridewells – 1913
November 19, 2019
Smithfield Bridewells, aka Jails – 1913
The following images were taken from Smithfield Town Council records dated April 3, 1913 concerning the location and maintenance of Smithfield’s “bridewells”, also known as jails, and the duties of Smithfield police officers.
Click on images to enlarge.
The Olneyville Times
November 27, 1891
Smithfield Police Ordinance – 1937
November 19, 2019
An town ordinance relating to the Smithfield Police Department was passed on May 28, 1937 establishing the structure, pay, appointments, and duties of police officers. It is copied here from Council Record Book #9, pages 18 – 23.
To view PDF file of 1937 ordinance, click on link below.
Staples Scan 11-19-2019_10-09-33-016
Below is a copy of the Smithfield Police Ordinance adopted April 3, 1913. It was repealed with the passage of the 1937 ordinance.
Click on images to enlarge.
Smithfield Police Ghost Graphics Car
October 13, 2019
Smithfield Police “Ghost Graphics” Car
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Smithfield Police – A Concise History
August 27, 2019
Smithfield Police – A Concise History
Written By James H. McVey, Deputy Chief, (Ret.)
Originally published in the Smithfield Police FOP 1991 Yearbook.
Click on images to enlarge.
To learn more, click here: Protecting Smithfield In A Simpler Time
Jencks Smith Obituary – 1910
August 5, 2019
To see a photo of Mr. Smith & other info, click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/64635478/jencks-smith
Woonsocket Evening Call
October 20, 1910
