Smithfield Police Department Retirees

for past & current employees of the Smithfield, RI Police Department

In Memoriam

Fmr. Reserve Officer Kenneth A. Brown, Sr. – December 28, 2024

Fmr. Reserve Officer Kenneth A. Brown, Sr.Kenneth A. Brown, Sr.
March 26, 1940 — December 28, 2024

Kenneth A. Brown, Sr. (Pvt., SFD, Ret), 84, passed away at home on December 28, 2024 with his family by his side. He was the husband of Carol A. (Trombley) Brown for 62 years. Born in Providence, he was the son of the late Charles and Fannie (Bradley) Brown.

Ken was a life member of the Georgiaville Volunteer Fire Company, having been accepted as a member in April 1956 at the age of 15. He began his professional career in the Smithfield Fire Department in December of 1971, retiring in January of 2004, after 48 years of fire service to the town of Smithfield. He was a member of the fire department’s honor guard, as well as a member of the Local 2050 IAFF. During his career, he received several Medals of Merit for outstanding bravery and leadership, to include the Stork Award for delivering a baby, which he was most proud.

In addition to Ken’s accomplishments with the fire department, he was the Smithfield Town Sergeant for several years, was a member of the Smithfield Police Departments Police Reserves for over 20 years, a charter member of the RI Red Knights Motorcycle Club, a member of the Smithfield Emergency Management, a member of the RI Professional Firefighters Pipe and Drums Honor Guard, a member of the Smithfield Senior Center, and a member of the American Legion Balfour Cole Post 64 in Smithfield.

A known historian, Ken always had a special interest in collecting and preserving Smithfield heritage through maps and photographs, co-publishing a book, “Images of America -Town of Smithfield” in 2008. In 2022, Ken was elected into the Smithfield Heritage Hall of Fame.

In his retirement, Ken enjoyed traveling with Carol to Alaska and Europe, among other places. His garage was his “happy place”, where he spent hours tinkering with small engine repair and repairing bicycles that he would later donate to local charities.

Besides his wife, Carol, he is survived by his daughter, Barbara LaMarre and her husband, Richard, his son, Kenneth Brown, Jr. (Cpt., SPD, Ret.) and his wife, Patricia, five grandchildren, Mallory Conde and her husband, Adam, Katie White and her husband, Daniel, Jacob LaMarre, Lauren LaMarre, and Joshua Brown, two great-grandchildren, Joseph Hoyle and Hunter White, his brother, C. Wayne Brown (Deputy Chief, SFD, Ret.) and his wife, Janette, and his sister-in-law, Genevieve Brown. He was the brother of the late Donald and Robert Brown.

His funeral service will be held on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at 11 am in the Robbins Funeral Home, 2251 Mineral Spring Ave., North Providence. Burial will follow in Acotes Hill Cemetery, Chepachet. Calling hours Tuesday, January 7th from 4-8 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Smithfield Historical Society, 220 Stillwater Rd., Smithfield, RI 02917.

Fmr. Reserve Officer Stephen M. Kemp, Jr. – November 23, 2023

Stephen M. Kemp, Jr.Stephen M. Kemp, Jr., 85, passed away Thursday November 23, 2023. He was the husband of Virginia R. (Robinson) O’Shan-Kemp and the late Gladys L. (Keach) Kemp for 58 years before her passing in 2021. He was born in Cranston, the son of the late Stephen M. and Evelyn (Osborne) Kemp. Mr. Kemp was a machinist at General Electric for over 20 years before retiring. He retired as a Master Sargeant from the R.I. National Guard after 37 years of service. He lived in Rhode Island most of his life and was a former Scout Master for Troop #1, BSA, Esmond and was a former Reserve Police Officer for the town of Smithfield. He was a member of Friendship Masonic Lodge #7 F&AM, Palestine Shrine, Scottish Rite Valley of Providence, past Rhode Island Worthy Grand Patron for the Order of Eastern Star and a former member of the Smithfield Sportsman’s Club.

He is survived by his sons, Stephen M. Kemp, III of Newman, GA and Darrell F. Kemp and his wife Vicki of Barstow, CA. He was the brother of Maryjane Platt of East Eddington, ME. He is also survived by his grandchildren Crystal L. Kemp, Kinsey L. Kemp, Dakota Kemp and his great-grandchildren Lila and Jackson.

His funeral will be held Thursday, December 7, 2023 at 10am in the TUCKER-QUINN Funeral Chapel, 643 Putnam Pike, Greenville. Burial with Military Honors will be in the R.I. Veteran’s Cemetery, Exeter. Visitation will be held Wednesday, December 6, 2023 from 4-7pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to Shriners Children’s Hospital, 51 Blossom St, Boston, MA 02114 will be appreciated.

Captain Raymond J. Trombley (Ret.) – April 24, 2023

Captain Raymond J. Trombley April 24, 2023

February 17, 1940 ~ April 24, 2023 (age 83)

Raymond J. Trombley “Captain Ray” Smithfield Police Department, Ret., 83, of Smithfield, RI passed away at home on Sunday April 24, 2023.

Ray was the devoted and beloved husband of the late Mary Lou (Jordan) Trombley. Every choice Ray made was to make Mary Lou happy; from working three jobs so that she could stay home to raise their children to weekly date nights in their golden years. His family is at peace knowing they are together again, dancing to the music of their favorite bands; RI Rednecks, King’s Row, and Mickie Lee Marshall.

He leaves behind three children that he loved big as all the skies; his daughter Pamela and her husband Timothy Geremia, his son Raymond Trombley III, and his daughter Melissa Paesano and her companion Paul Spaulding. If there is one unanimous word that his family would choose to describe Ray, it would be proud. If you have ever met him, he would immediately tell you all about his children, his grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, all of their accomplishments, and how much he loves them whether you wanted to hear it or not.

Ray was an amazing Pepere to eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren, and one grandpup, Grumpy; Ashley & Mike Karas and their children Emma Lu and Tyler Anthony, Brittany & Conor MacCormack and their son Rowan Luke along with their little miracle due in October, Amanda Dutcher and her boyfriend Kyle, Caitlyn Dutcher & her fiance Jason Ianetta, Timothy Angelo Geremia Jr & his fiancee Lindsey Dyer and their children Timothy Zane III and Charlotte Jane, David Trombley & his fiancee Natalia Troll and their daughter Nova, SPC Zachary Geremia US Army & Jordan Geremia and their children Lily Angel and Cade, and Mark & Tenny Gillis and their son Cooper. He is also meeting his granddaughter Angel Chloe Geremia in heaven.

He will also be greatly missed by his siblings; his sister Carol & her husband Ken Brown, and his brother Dennis & his wife “That Girl” Patti Trombley. He is once again with his parents Raymond H. Trombley and Virginia Jean (Kellogg) Trombley who he loved and honored all his days.

Ray was loving, kind, and generous; a man who could always be counted on. He was a protector and a provider in all aspects of his life from a young age all the way through his career as a Police Officer with the Smithfield Police Department and until his last breath. As a Police Officer, Ray continually proved his value and worth; eventually being promoted to Uniform Commander at the rank of Captain, third in command of the Smithfield Police Department and forevermore being known as “Captain Ray”. Ray was so dedicated to his hometown that for a time he was also a volunteer Firefighter. Upon his retirement, Ray wouldn’t be slowed down. He continued on to a second career with the RI DMV working in adjudication until he finally retired to spend more time with his family.

One thing is certain about meeting Ray, if you met him you loved him. He was his family’s first hero and will remain so always and forever. They will all miss his infinite number of stories and Thanksgiving and Christmas will not be the same without him seated at the head of the table with his whole family gathered around. As Mary Lou was the heart of the family, Ray was the soul; and this loss will be felt deeply by all.

His funeral will be held on Saturday April 29, 2023 at 9:00am from Robbins Funeral Home, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am at St. Michael’s Church in Georgiaville. Burial will follow in Highland Memorial Park, Johnston. Calling Hours are Friday 4:00 – 8:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jay Lawrence Foundaition, PO Box 580, Greenville, RI 02828.

Fmr. Reserve Officer Kenneth E. “Woody” Wood, Jr. – March 16, 2023

May 22, 1952 – March 16, 2023

Brooklyn, CT – Kenneth E. “Woody” Wood Jr., 70, of Tripp Hollow Road, passed away on March 16, 2023, surrounded by his family in the comfort of his home. He was the loving husband of Lucille (Duval) Wood. Born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, he was the son of the late Kenneth and Ruth (Nordquist) Wood.

Woody graduated from Bryant University with a bachelor’s degree and later in 1983 earned his CPA certificate.  He owned his own company Eaton Contract Mfg. from 1987 till his retirement in 2015.  He was a member of Crystal Lake Golf Club for years.

Woody was a family man who always put his family first.  To know him was to love him.  He loved to golf and fish, and after his retirement loved traveling on his motorcycle.

Woody is survived by two sons, Kenneth E. Wood, III of Brooklyn, CT, Bradley A. Wood of Brooklyn, CT; and his adoring grandson Cameron A. Wood, Brooklyn, CT; Two brothers, David A. Wood of GA, Charles H. Wood of Greenville, RI; brother-in-law, Don Frankenberg of FL.

He is predeceased by his two sisters, Sandra A. Lemire and Judith A. Frankenberg

Private funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Gilman & Valade Funeral Homes & Crematory. For memorial guestbook visit www. GilmanAndValade.com

Fmr. Reserve Officer David Studer – October 8, 2022

David L. Studer, Sr., 80, of Sayles Avenue, Pawtucket, formerly of Stirling Dr, North Scituate, died Saturday, October 8, 2022 at his home, surrounded by his family. He was the husband of Judith Ann Studer. They had been married for 58 years.

Born in Tipp City, Ohio, he was the son of the late Lloyd Studer and Glenna Webb.

He served in the US Navy and later the RI Army National Guard.
He also served as a reserved police officer for the Smithfield Police Department for 25 years and later on worked and retired from Rhode Island Public Transit Authority. He was a proud member of the post 2396 VFW and post 0019 American Legion.

Besides his wife he is survived by his children: David L Studer Jr of Nashville TN, Mary Marfeo of Exeter, RI and her husband Michael Marfeo Sr, Kelly Studer of Nashville, TN, and the late Kimberly Studer. His grandchildren Matthew Studer, Joseph Marfeo, Jessica Marfeo, Pamela Studer, and the late Mikey Marfeo Jr.

The family sends their sincere thanks to the VNA of Care New England Hospice team and The Little Sisters of the poor for their care in David’s last few days.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday at 10am in St. Raymond’s Church, 1240 North Main Street, Providence. Private burial will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations in his memory may be made to Jean Jugan Little Sisters of The Poor 963 Main St., Pawtucket, RI 02860.