Back a few months, Stephanie Picolo Manzi, Ph.D., a member of the Johnston Town Council and dean of the School of Justice Studies at Roger Williams University in Bristol, attended a special meeting and nominated Richard S. Tamburini for the Rhode Island Criminal Justice Hall of Fame.
On Tuesday night, Manzi stood at the podium inside the jam-packed Crowne Plaza in Warwick and said, in part: "Chief, on behalf of the Rhode Island Criminal Justice Hall of Fame, Mayor Joseph Polisena, my colleagues on the Johnston Town Council and all Johnston residents, congratulations. It is indeed an honor to induct you into the Hall of Fame."
The sudden sound of applause echoed through the spacious room, where Rhode Island Attorney General Pete Kilmartin – with the assistance of select dignitaries like Manzi – inducted 10 other "outstanding professionals who have worked to improve and uphold the principles of the criminal justice system in our state" into the prestigious society.
The Hall of Fame's class of 2014 includes Joseph Cardin, superintendent of the Rhode Island Training School; the Hon. William A. Dimitri Jr. of Rhode Island Superior Court; the Hon. Zygmunt J. Friedemann, former state representative; the Hon. Henry Gemma Jr. of Rhode Island Superior Court; retired U.S. Marshall John J. Leyden; and the Hon. Florence K. Murray, retired from the state's Supreme Court.
Dimitri and Murray, as well as former Providence Public Safety Commissioner Leo P. Trambukis, were inducted posthumously.
Also inducted into the prestigious Hall of Fame were retired Maj. Peter J. O'Connell of the Rhode Island State Police; Steven M. Pare of the Providence Public Safety Commission; and retired State Police Maj. Michael J. Urso Jr.
Tamburini, meanwhile, was honored for an extraordinary 29-year career with the Providence Police Department, during which he wore almost every hat, and another unmatched 19 years as the town of chief of police.
"Chief Tamburini is a cop's cop," Polisena offered. "He is well-deserving of this great Hall of Fame honor. He has lived law enforcement to the highest degree and has done so for almost a half century. I'm honored that he's our chief of police, and under his watch and leadership the people in Johnston are safe."
A host of elected officials, department heads and many, many citizens were on hand to see Tamburini receive the prestigious Hall of Fame honor.
"Thank you everyone for allowing me to celebrate my law enforcement career in such an extraordinary way," said Tamburini. "It is truly an unparalleled honor."
In his customarily humble and classy way, Tamburini also said: "I want to thank the selection committee for the confidence they have expressed in me. I know there are a lot of deserving law enforcement people out there, but I want to assure the committee member that none could possibly appreciate it more than I do."
The selection committee, as Manzi noted, "selects Hall of Fame candidates who have protected the safety and security of our communities … and ensured due process of law. Chief Tamburini has indeed done that to the highest degree of law enforcement."
He did so, Manzi added, "when he brought his old school work ethic and principles to the offices of the Johnston Police Department. The result has been a department that has successfully integrated the chief's experience with new and innovative ideas, which have led to improved training, fiscal management and strong ties to the community."
Equally impressive, as Manzi stated, is that the Johnston department's motto of "Working together, making a difference" can be seen "in many innovations the chief has instituted, such as the popular Walk with Cops for seniors, the Citizens' Police Academy, bicycle patrols and the award-wining JPD Explorer Program."
Manzi also explained how Tamburini's call to protect and serve began in 1961, when he proudly served in the U.S. Army's 72nd Signal Battalion, and how he achieved the rank of specialist 4th class after receiving top-secret security clearance in cryptology.
She also recounted the chief's extraordinary career in law enforcement, which dates back to 1966 and is based on three words – pride, integrity and dedication – that Deputy Chief Daniel O. Parrillo said are the characteristics that define Tamburini professionally and personally.
The chief issued a host of thanks during his impressive acceptance speech, and said induction into the Hall of Fame "is the second best ting that has ever happened to me."
He paused, then said to an attentive audience: "What was the first? My wife Marie, the mother of my children, is the best thing that has ever happened to me. She is everything that's good about life, and I thank her for entering my life at a time when I needed her the most, and standing by my side through these wonderful years together."
There was, the chief noted, "one person missing here tonight. It's my mother, who turned 98 years young on March 28 … She is perfectly fine and independent. To this day, she shines as an example of devotion to family – always at the center of all family activity. At 98, she still can get an old gent's heart beating."
Tamburini also introduced his daughter Lisa Tamburini, her daughters Jessica and Angelica and their father Frank Sciacca; his son Joseph Tamburini, his wife Erica Gregg and their children Andrew and Cecelia; and his sister Roseann Cerbo and her husband Albert Cerbo.
"This is a night my family and I will never forget," said Tamburini. "So I'm standing among Rhode Island's outstanding professional in front of my family, friends and colleagues proudly and humbly accepting this award for professional achievement. I cannot think of anywhere I would rather be than right here, right now, than with all of you and my fellow Hall of Famers."
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