At the Aquidneck Island event meant to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice, the recent slaying of a Providence police detective is on many people's minds.

09:06 AM EDT on Monday, May 2, 2005

BY RICHARD SALIT
Journal Staff Writer

NEWPORT -- After Detective Sgt. James L. Allen was shot with his own gun inside Providence police headquarters two weeks ago, his fellow officers took comfort in the outpouring of support they received from the public and area police departments as they mourned his death.

Journal photo / Bob Thayer

Narragansett officers, from left, James Donelly-Taylor, Robert barker, Brian Priest and Kimberly Hill form a color guard.

Yesterday, they showed their appreciation.

About 35 Providence officers in dress blues mounted three motorcycles and six horses, formed a color guard, and gathered in marching formation for a prominent presence in yesterday's annual Aquidneck Island Police Parade. The motorcycle engines revved and the clomping of the horses' hooves on cobblestones echoed down Thames Street.

"Every police department was incredible to us last week. It's very important for us to come out and thank everyone," said Providence Sgt. Tabatha Glavin, commander of the color guard.

Her fellow officers came not only to express appreciation, she said, "but most of all to remember Jimmy."

The annual parade is, after all, not just a celebration of police officers, but a commemoration of those who have died in the line of duty. Before the parade, Jesus Savior Church held a traditional "Blue Mass" for the occasion. Allen's family was not among the nearly 500 people who filled the pews and stood at the back of the church as heavy rains fell outside on Broadway. The last few rows were filled with officers in uniform, many from Providence and Aquidneck Island.

During the ceremony, state Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch carried a memorial wreath to the front of the church with three leading members of the Rhode Island State Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police -- president Wayne Meunier, Newport Detective Christopher Hayes and Providence Officer Robert Quinn. They all saluted.

"In memory of fallen brothers and sisters," the wreath read.

They placed the floral wreath next to a board featuring a picture of Allen and listing the names of the 154 U.S. police officers who died in the line of duty during the past year. The colors of the flowers were symbolic -- red for the blood officers sacrificed, white for their innocence and blue for "The Thin Blue Line," a euphemism for the few who don uniforms and risk their lives to protect the public.

Even the Rev. Frank O'Laughlin donned white and blue vestments to express solidarity with law enforcement officers around the world. While American soldiers fighting in Iraq are clearly imperiled, he said, "we have brave men and women in the U.S. Their job is sometimes very dangerous."

O'Laughlin, invoking the name of the patron saint of police officers, St. Michael, also prayed for good weather for the parade. And just before the parade kicked off at 12:30 from Newport City Hall, the rain stopped and dark gray skies lightened somewhat.

The parade, timed to coincide with national law enforcement week, has been an Aquidneck Island tradition for nearly 30 years, despite a hiatus in the 1980s. But this year's event almost didn't happen because of a lack of corporate support and involvement from local police departments.

Enough support ultimately came through and this year's parade went on as a "A Salute to America's Heroes." The parade route, which used to begin in Middletown, was shortened and confined to downtown Newport this year.

Spectators certainly seemed to appreciate the parade's return and the rain's farewell. They lined the street curbs from Broadway to America's Cup Avenue to Bellevue Avenue.

Trisha Smith, 27, and Mary Anne Seward, 40, both of Middletown, brought their children to the sharp turn at Washington Square and Thames Street, which slowed down the parade marchers and proved a good spot for viewing. Smith was worried that the poor weather would cancel the parade.

"Then it cleared up and we heard 'The Halls of Montezuma'," Smith said referring to first band's musical selection. "It's so patriotic. It stirred me, to feel the spirit of what it's all about. It deepened my appreciation for these men and women."

Right at the head of the parade was a group of men, women and children, in civilian clothing, marching behind a sign that read, "Families of Police Officers Killed in the Line of Duty."

"All of these people have lost someone," said one of the sign carriers, Bob Shaw, whose son, Providence officer Steven Shaw, was killed in 1994. "The police officers put their lives on the line every day and never get thanks."

About 40 departments participated in the parade, most from Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts, and some from New York and New Jersey. There were also about 15 marching bands, including several from area high schools.

"It helps the community heal," said Meunier, from the Fraternal Order of Police.

Most years the parade commemorates officers who died out of town or local officers who died in years past. But this year's parade was different, said Meunier. A well-respected Providence officer was shot while questioning a suspect.

"It hits home," he said.

Reporter Richard Salit can be reached at 277-7467 or by e-mail at rsalit [at] projo.com

Recap coverage of the shooting of Detective Sgt. James L. Allen, and get the latest news on suspect Esteban Carpio's scheduled court appearance today:

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