Chief honored at promotion ceremony
Col. Stephen M. McCartney didn’t use a microphone Tuesday night as he addressed a packed City Council Chambers. He didn’t need one. The audience listened attentively.
McCartney, who retires this Friday, wasn’t talking about himself or his 19-year tenure as the commanding officer of the department. Others would do that, although that was not part of the scheduled program.
Rather, McCartney was talking about the nine men and one woman who would join the department as probationary officers and the five probationary officers who are now third class officers.
McCartney also talked about three sergeants who had been previously promoted by the Board of Public Safety that would be recognized Tuesday night, as well as Sgt. Christopher G. Fernandes and Officer Jamey A. Petit. The pair was presented lifesaving awards for their actions on Aug. 6, when they arrived at a burning building on Huron Street in Oakland Beach. The roof had collapsed. They found a distraught man outside who informed them his wife and daughter were still inside. Fernandes and Petit didn’t hesitate, immediately entering the house filled with smoke and flames licking the ceiling to pull both from the fire.
McCartney spoke of the officers’ actions and the extensive training that the probationary officers completed in order to become members of the force. The additional members bring the department up to its full complement of 175.
In his greeting, Mayor Joseph Solomon spoke of the department’s enviable reputation and how that is a reflection of its leadership and McCartney. Solomon outlined McCartney’s “long and distinguished career” as a police officer in Providence and then Warwick and 30 years with the U.S. Marine Corps, first in active duty and then the Marine Reserves.
While he is retiring, Solomon said he would “continue to seek his advice and opinion.”
Father Robert Marciano, department chaplain, also paid tribute to McCartney in his benediction.
Deputy Chief Major Brad Connor closed the ceremony with a recognition of McCartney.
“I’d like to again acknowledge an individual here that has contributed so much to not only the Warwick Police Department but to law enforcement in Rhode Island,” Connor said.
“The colonel is an icon among police leaders. Truly a hall of famer whose leadership has made the Warwick Police Department a top agency among departments in the region,” Connor said.
“His experience and expertise along with his kind demeanor has made him the go-to guy for leaders and chiefs throughout the state. He is often giving counsel and providing advice to those in need and doing so always in the spirit of making those around him better. Not just a leader among his troops, the colonel has been a leader to his peers and those he’s served. I personally want to thank you, Colonel, for being a teacher, a mentor, a leader and a friend. The impact you’ve had on us will never be forgotten and we thank you for your service.”
With those closing remarks, the audience stood to give McCartney an extended ovation.
At the ceremony, Matthew T. Caradimos, Richard P. Odell, Thomas R. Paine, Anthony J. D’Abrosca and Maxwell A. Neiley were promoted to Third Class Officers. Evan E. Johnson, Cody J. Wild, Jessica L. Masso, Kevin P. Warren, Johnathan H. DiPietro, Frank J. Montanaro, Bruce D. Law, Tyler J. Mobrice, Derek J. Hagopian and Jordan P. Guyton were sworn in as Probationary Officers.
Connor offered the following remarks about the department’s three newest sergeants:
Sergeant John T. McHale IV
July 25, 2018
John McHale is an 18-year veteran of the Warwick Police Department and a former Tiverton Police Officer. He has held positions in the Patrol Division, Detective Division and in July of this year, returned to the 3rd Shift Patrol Division.
John has been a member of the SWAT Team for the past 9 years. He has been a Department Firearms Instructor, Taser Instructor, Baton Instructor, OC Instructor and a Field Training Officer. John has also taught Active Shooter Response at the Rhode Island Municipal Training Academy. During John’s tenure in Detectives, he has successfully investigated and helped prosecute a plethora of cases ranging from misdemeanor shopliftings to homicides.
John has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Justice Studies and Sociology with a minor in Psychology from Rhode Island College. He has completed numerous trainings and courses throughout his law enforcement career. The majority of his training has focused on firearms and tactical training, as well as training for major crimes investigations.
Sergeant Shaun Turcotte
October 9, 2018
Shaun is a 16-year veteran of the Warwick Police Department. He has previously served seven years in the Patrol Division serving on both the 2nd and 3rd Platoons. During his time in the Patrol division, he served as a Field Training Officer. Prior to his promotion to sergeant, he served nine years in the Detective Division. During this time, he has participated in numerous complex and sensitive criminal investigations. Shaun most recently completed an assignment with the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.
During his tenure, Shaun has previously served as a member of the S.W.A.T. team. He is currently an active member of the Underwater Search & Rescue Dive Team and has been a P.O.S.T certified instructor of Basic Water Rescue at the Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy for the last thirteen years. In 2016, Shaun received a Citation Award from the State of Rhode Island, Senate and House of Representatives for his involvement in statewide task force that worked to solve numerous high-end residential break-ins that were occurring in communities throughout the state.
Shaun has a bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Anna Maria College and has received numerous specialized training and certifications in the fields of Computer, Mobile, and Video Forensics. He has also completed the Scientific Evidence I & II Criminal Investigation course at the University of Rhode Island (BCI School), in addition to numerous other trainings related to diverse topics in the field of Criminal Investigations. With his developed interest in digital forensics, Shaun also serves as an Adjunct instructor in the Criminal Justice Department at New England Institute of Technology.
Sgt. Christopher Fernandes
November 13, 2018
Chris is a 12 year veteran of the Warwick Police Department where he has served in the Patrol Division.
Chris spent six years teaching and evaluating officers at municipal and state agencies in Mental Health Crisis Response and is a lead evaluator for the Academy’s Mental Health First Aid role play training week.
Chris has a Bachelor’s Degree from Providence College and an Associate’s Degree from the Community College of RI. He has seven years prior service as a State of RI Correctional Officer and has 16 years of service with the military serving on combat tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
