Events

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Vintage Cruiser Show Flyer

Special Visitor at the Museum Last Week!

Harlen wrote a review on the Netflix movie “Rescued by Ruby”.  Harlen and his family visited the Museum and presented the review to Sgt. Dan O’Neil.

Harlen was presented with a 2022 Christmas ornament depicting the K9’s who had passed away during that year.  He also received a Ruby challenge coin where half the proceeds are donated to the RISCPA and an Army bear donated by Ira Green of Providence.

North Scituate Farmers Market

The Rhode Island State Police Museum and Educational Center will be attending the North Scituate Farmers Market on the following dates:

  • Saturday, May 11th
  • Saturday, June 8th
  • Saturday, July 20th
  • Saturday, August 24th
  • Saturday, September 21st

We will have information about the Museum and will be selling our merchandise. Trooper Boots will be coming with us!
Come  down and say “Hello!”

Ruby’s Bench

Sergeant Daniel S. O’Neil is the President of the R.I. State Police Museum and Educational Center and a canine handler with the R.I. State Police.  In 2011 K-9 Ruby was rescued by the R.I. State Police from the RISPCA after she had been adopted and returned five times.  She was then assigned to Corporal O’Neil.  Ruby was successfully trained in search and rescue and cadaver search.  In 2017, following an extensive search, Corporal O’Neil and Ruby located a lost adolescent boy in the woods of Glocester, Rhode Island.  Corporal O’Neil later discovered that the lost boy was the son of one of the volunteers at the RISPCA, who helped care for and train Ruby while she was there.  This inspiring story earned Ruby the national title of “Search and Rescue Hero Dog” in 2018.  The story then became a hit Netflix original movie, “Rescued by Ruby.”  Sadly, Ruby passed away in May 2022.  

On the first anniversary of Ruby’s passing, a ceremony was held at the end of Ives Road in Warwick, overlooking Sandy Point Beach.  Sergeant O’Neil’s neighbors and friends raised money to pay for a bench and its installation in honor of the O’Neil family and K-9 Ruby.  The plaque on the bench reads, “Dedicated to Corporal Daniel O’Neil and Family in Memory of K-9 Ruby—Badge #9223, R.I. State Police Search and Rescue.”

Sergeant O’Neil continues to serve in the Rhode Island State Police K-9 Unit with K-9 Koda, who was also rescued from the RISPCA.

Celebrating Police Memorial Week

The Museum and Educational Center was proud to host representatives from “SDPD Honor Roll” during Police Memorial Week 2023.  Sgt. Michael Pidgeon and Chaplain Chuck Price held a ceremony at the Rhode Island State Police Memorial located at Headquarters.  They presented the Museum with a plaque honoring the service and sacrifice of those officers who have died in the line-of-duty.  They travelled from San Diego to Washington, DC, and on their way back to San Diego, made stops at several law enforcement memorials. Check out their specialty vehicle and the history of SDPD Honor Roll on their website sdpdhonor1.us.

Members of the Providence Bruins Visits the Museum

The Rhode Island State Police Museum and Educational Center had some special visitors on Thursday, March 9, 2023.  Members of the Providence Bruins, Kai Wissmann 3, Michael Callahan 23, and Josiah Didier 44, came to the Museum to learn a bit about the history of the Rhode Island State Police in celebration of First Responders’ Weekend, which featured the Rhode Island State Police hockey team vs North Smithfield Police & Fire hockey team immediately following the P Bruins game on Saturday, March 11th.  We are pleased to report that the P Bruins defeated the Hershey Bears 3-2 and the Rhode Island State Police team scored a victory of 4 -1 over North Smithfield.

P Bruins getting a history lesson from Ret. Lt. Ken Bowman

Mugs shots taken!  Happily, they were released after the tour!

Rhode Island State Police Santa at the Museum 12-4

Cpl. Dan O’Neil and Koda drop off toys at the South County Dept. of Human Services.

Det. Christopher D’Angelo dropped off a gift card, toys and books to the Boys & Girls Club of Newport County.

Barbara Laird visited Jessica DiMartino of the Town of Exeter Department of Social Services and dropped off clothing and toys.

Barbara Laird visited Jessica DiMartino of the Town of Exeter Department of Social Services and dropped off clothing and toys.

Caden

Grand Prize Winner - Zoe

Second Prize Winner - Gavin

Recent News

Museum President, Sgt. Dan O’Neil is shown with Randy Burt Jr., from Tree of Life Chainsaw Carvings in Burrillville. Mr. Burt donated these two K-9s to protect our Rhode Island State Police Museum!

Check out their Facebook page.

Members of the Rhode Island State Police Museum Foundation Executive Board recently visited the Massachusetts State Police Museum and Learning Center to see their new facility.  We would like to thank them for the tour as well as the time they spent with us sharing information and resources.   Our new Rhode Island State Police trooper bear also enjoyed many of the displays.  The bear will be available to purchase soon, but the bear needs a name!  We will be taking suggestions to name the trooper bear at the upcoming Vintage Cruiser Show on Sunday, September 18thfrom 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at State Police Headquarters, 311 Danielson Pike, North Scituate.  Please come and enjoy the cruiser show and help us decide on a name for our new bear.

Massachusetts State Police Museum and Learning Center www.mspmlc.org

Rhode Island State Police 5k Road Race 04-24-22

Ret. Lt. Kenneth Bowman and his wife Kathy selling museum merchandise at the Rhode Island State Police 5k Road Race held on Sunday, April 24, 2022.

Santa @ the Museum Event 12-04-21

Museum Secretary Barbara Laird and Committee Member Ret. Lt. Pamela Moffatt-Limoges selling merchandise

Kathy Bowman and Charlene Palleschi handing out hot chocolate and cookies

Trp. Andrew Elsing and family with Santa

Trp. Amy Jackman and Santa

Cpl. Ryan Santo, Trp. Lisa Hanley and K-9 Skye

Some of the donations collected.

Joseph Steiner, III,  Director of Human Services,  Scituate RI accepting donations from Det. Kyle Shibley