“There is nothing as rewarding to a police officer as the day you are promoted,” Joseph P. Razza, who just a few weeks ago took the oath of office as the new Johnston Police Chief, told his department family last Thursday morning inside the Senior Center’s multi-purpose room. “It’s like being sworn in all over again.”
Razza, who hosted and emceed the JPD’s new-look promotion ceremony, emphasized: “While being promoted comes with great responsibility, it is also time to reflect upon on all your hard work and dedication it has taken to achieve this new rank.”
Before issuing his heartfelt congratulations, Razza said: “I know first-hand that anything is attainable with hard work and dedication, and you should be truly proud of your accomplishment. But, this day is not all about you and your new duties and responsibilities, please remember that this day also belongs to your family.”
“Special families,” as Mayor Joseph Polisena added, “of police officers around the country who are coming under constant attack during these socially troubled times. I want to commend you guys and gals [of the JPD] who put your lives on the line every day to protect our citizens. I also want to thank you and your families for accepting these new ranks.”
Polisena, along with instructions by Razza, then issued the oath of office to three veteran JPD officers – Lt. Troy Maddocks, who was promoted to captain; Sgt. David Loffler, who was promoted to lieutenant; and Patrolman David Galligan, who was promoted to sergeant.
Their children and parents played a major role in the ceremony’s impressive and heartwarming success.
Take Lt. Loffler’s children, for example. After Razza issued a welcome to his JPD family, he called upon David Loffler II – a student at St. Joseph’s School in West Warwick – and his brothers Jacob and Benjamin to lead the Pledge of Allegiance along with Troy Maddocks’ daughter Livia.
Maddocks also performed yet another important duty when Razza announced she would be pinning the new badge on her father, whose late father Gary Maddocks Sr. was a veteran JPD officer and detective. His brother Gary Maddocks is a former deputy chief of the JPD.
Likewise, Sgt. Galligan – who was a member of the Top 10 students during his days at Johnston High School – enjoyed the pinning of his new badge from his wife Samantha. Charles Tsoumakas, Lt. Loffler’s father-in-law, had the honor of pinning his new badge on his dress uniform jacket.
Capt. Maddocks has been with the JPD since 2005. He graduated from Smithfield High School and holds a bachelor’s degree from Roger Williams University. He is currently the 3rd Watch Shift Commander in the Patrol Division.
Lt. Loffler joined the JPD as a civilian dispatcher in 2005 and began his career as a patrolman in 2007. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2016 and is currently attending Roger Williams University for completion of his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
Sgt. Galligan attended Rhode Island College before being accepted to the RI Municipal Police Academy in January of 2012. He graduated from the academy in the Top 10 of his class and was assigned to the third watch as probationary patrolman and later worked the second watch. He received a JPD ribbon in 2017 for his contribution in apprehending a suspect who was wanted Providence for a shooting and carjacking.
Razza, who delivered impressive messages throughout his first-ever promotion ceremony, offered: “I know your commitment to protect and serve is robust and you will take upon these new responsibilities with great diligence. Once again, I’d like to congratulate all of you on your promotion, I am very proud to be your chief. I know how hard you have worked to be here today, but more importantly, I know the sacrifices you have made to be promoted.”
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