Aquidneck Island National Police Parade To Honor Fallen Officers This Weekend

Police officers from Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts, as well as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, will march throughout the island this weekend as part of the Aquidneck Island National Police Parade. 

The officers will march to the beat of the New York Police Department's Emerald Society Pipe and Drum, Police Pipe and Drums of Bergen County (NJ), New Jersey United Police Band, and the Philadelphia (PA) Police Pipes and Drum Band.

The activities begin Saturday with a golf tournament at Newport National and a steak dinner at the FOP Lodge in Middletown. 

On Saturday night, a Rockin' Rodeo Round-up will be held at Dockside at Waite's Wharf in Newport. There will be live music performed by police bands such as Ten-8 and Pipe and Drum units. Donations will be accepted at the door. 

The Providence Police Pipe and Drum will lead the parade on Sunday at 11 a.m.

There will be tributes to the following fallen officers: Maxwell Dorley of the Providence Police Department, Kevin Ambrose of the Springfield Police Department, Ryan Tvelia of the Norfolk County Sheriffs Office and Peter Kneeland of the Worcester Police Department.

U.S. Marshal Jamie Hainsworth has been chosen as the 2013 grand marshal.

Hainsworth served 30 years on the Glocester, RI, Police Department, retiring as chief of police. Hainsworth was a Rhode Island Law Enforcement liaison and victim advocate for Mothers Against Drunk Driving. He is also a former president of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs’ Association.

Hainsworth is a volunteer for the Torch Run for the Rhode Island Special Olympics and served many years on the Rhode island Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge executive board.

2013 Aquidneck Island National Police Parade Lineup:

Saturday, May 4

Seventh annual National Police Parade Golf Outing held at Newport National Golf Course

Steak-fry dinner at Middletown F.O.P. for golfers

Police “Rodeo Round-Up” at Dockside, featuring live music by area police bands, bagpipe bands and a mechanical bull-riding competition! Donations accepted at door.

Sunday, May 5

11:30 a.m.

Blessing of parade participants

11:50 a.m.

Parade begins at 317 West Main Road, Middletown, and proceeds down Broadway to Washington Square, followed by a party for law enforcement participants at Kempenaar’s Clambake.