Hail to Johnston's ex-chief

They toasted “Tambo” — a mighty man people called a class act, a mentor, role model, a dapper dresser and the epitome of a “cop’s cop” — Saturday morning inside the jam-packed Johnston Municipal Courthouse.

“I’m here to honor a living legend!” exclaimed U.S. Sen. Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island). “We’ve been friends for years. Richard’s whole life has been about service and that’s why we are all here today.”

That’s also the way top-ranking officials from the state’s law enforcement community and political leadership described Richard S. Tamburini, who was honored with the once-in-a-lifetime and emotional experience of naming the Johnston Police Department headquarters on Atwood Avenue in his name.

The ceremony, as current Johnston Chief Joseph P. Razza, who succeeded Tamburini, said during his heart-warming welcome: “This is a special honor to memorialize and commemorate a career filled with and worthy of the utmost respect.”

Razza called upon the JPD Honor Guard to present the colors, then introduced Alicia Bedrosian, who delivered an inspirational rendition of the National Anthem.

“It is truly an honor for me to emcee this event and to pay tribute to his long and distinguished career in law enforcement that spanned 54 years, 25 of which he was our chief here in Johnston.”

He then called upon Pastor Chris Abhulime from King’s Tabernacle Church who also serves as Deputy Chief of Staff to Gov. Daniel McKee, for the opening prayer he followed with a special State of Rhode Island Citation for Tamburini.

In all, there were nine guest speakers who continuously eulogized Tamburini, a seasoned police officer who, as each person emphasized, led the Providence Police and Johnston Police in highly-impressive proficient police protection of the citizens in Johnson as well as the state’s largest city.

One of the speakers was the Town Council member who proposed Saturday’s tremendous tribute and testimonial.

Last year, when Tamburini announced he would retire as JPD chief, Johnston Town Council Vice President Joseph Polisena Jr. proposed naming JPD headquarters in the Tamburini’s name.

The idea met with instant agreement. Razz thought it was a good idea. Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena wholeheartedly endorsed the idea. And then it was presented to the Town Council and was quickly and unanimously endorsed by President Robert V. Russo, Linda Folcarelli, Lauren Garzone and Robert Civetti.

“We were all in agreement,” said Russo, who heaped words of high praise upon Tamburini during his speech and presentation of an official town commendation. “Everyone loves and salutes the chief for making the JPD one of the best police departments in New England.”

From there, a dedication committee that included Polisena, his son, Chief of Staff Doug Jeffrey, Janet Whitely, the mayor’s administrative assistant and Razza was formed and the result turned Saturday’s dark and dreary weather into a sparkling sunshine.

Polisena led off the speaking program and after thanking the audience for coming he began: “Remembrance is something we all think about at one point. How we will be remembered by our family, friends and our community. When thinking of how all of us remember Chief Tamburini’s tenure in law enforcement, only one world came to mind — ‘legacy.’”

Polisena Jr. than added: “A legacy is never defined by one act, good or bad. It’s defined by a series of acts, words and choices an individual makes throughout their life and career. Today, Chief, we honor your legacy as an individual who spent over a quarter century as our police chief … But chief, it’s not just your length of service that matters, it’s what you did for all of us during that service that truly defines your legacy.”

He also emphasized under Tamburini’s leadership the JPD became one of the most well-respected police departments, not just in Rhode Island, but all of New England. He achieved this feat by attaining accreditations from the RI Police Accreditation Committee and Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.

Tamburini also improved the JPD’s standing in the law enforcement community but more importantly the department’s standing in Johnston by implementing programs such as bicycle patrols, Walk with Cops and the award-winning JPD Explorers Post.

“Being a police officer embodies selflessness,” Polisena Jr. noted. “All of us here would encounter any risk to protect our family and one’s we love. What makes police officers different is they encounter daily risks and do it to protect total strangers.”

Given that, Polisena Jr. concluded: “Chief, today, we want you to know that we recognize your legacy and selflessness to the community for not just the past 25 years, but for the last 54 years protecting not just Providence and Johnston but all Rhode Islanders. And always know, that your legacy will continue to endure for generations with not only police officers, but with all resident of this community.”

Mayor Polisena, who thanked his son for spearheading the idea that led to Saturday’s ceremony, declared during a moving but brief speech: “As the Chief began his career 54 years ago protecting the streets in Providence as a cop’s cop to becoming JPD chief and statesman for 25 years leading the men and women of the JPD. He was a role model and his love for the job and our town is why we are here today. This very special day to dedicate the building across the street to the Richard S. Tamburini Public Safety Complex.”

The Mayor also noted “the Chief’s love for law enforcement and the men and women on the job still continues to this day. But most of all is his love for his family; his wife Marie, children Joseph and Lisa and grandchildren and you can see his love and compassion for them when he speaks so fondly of them. And to Marie, you have been and still are the rock for the Chief; and that doesn’t go unnoticed.”

The speaking program also included Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos, Attorney General Peter Neronha, PPD Col. Chief Hugh Clements, YMCA Executive Director and retired State Police Colonel Steven O’Donnell and of course, the Chief Rev. Peter J. Gower, the JPD Chaplin gave a beautiful blessing for the unveiling of the granite monument that was created specially by A. Scialto & Son Monuments, Inc. in Cranston.

Thus, Tamburini in his usually classy way issued a host of thank you’s for “this beautiful honor you have bestowed upon me today.”

“Thank you Johnston for coming together to recognize and honor my law enforcement career,” he said. “Thank you Joseph Polisena Jr., Mayor Joseph Polisena and Chief Joseph Razza, you were the catalysts who put this together and again I have to say thank you.”

Tamburini, as he read from a prepared text, added: “I have tremendous gratitude for your combined efforts to recognize my law enforcement career. I am sincerely humbled and grateful that you are sharing this honor with me. Over 50 years ago I made a critical decision in my life and chose a profession in law enforcement. It is a decision I did not take lightly. it is a decision that I have not regretted. I enthusiastically signed up for his life and never looked back.”

The Chief also talked about another decision — the one he made 55 years ago when “I asked my beautiful wife Marie to marry me.”

“This was virtually important to both of us; a decision we have never regretted,” Tamburini said. “Together we have two outstanding children, our daughter Lisa and son Joseph, and four beautiful grandchildren — Jessica, Angelica, Drew and Cece — who were all the greatest gifts of our lives.”