Aquidneck Island National Police Parade Scheduled For Next Month

NEWPORT, RI — The Aquidneck Island National Police Parade will take place this year on May 5.

Opening ceremony will be around 11:30 a.m. in front of the Hampton Inn at 317 West Main Road in Middletown. The parade kicks off at 11:50 a.m., traveling towards Newport, south on Broadway, and ends in Washington Square.

This year, the parade will honor Hartford, Connecticut, Police Det. Robert Garten, who was
killed in the line of duty on Sept. 6, 2023 in a crash, Waltham, Massachusetts, Officer Paul Tracey, who was killed on duty in a crash on Dec. 6, 2023, and Connecticut State Police K-9 Broko, who died on Dec. 21, 2023, while protecting his handler.

Hartford police, Garten’s family, Waltham police, and Tracey's family will be marching in the parade. The parade will also honor the 136 officers that died in the line of duty in 2023 and those who lost their lives in the years prior.

To start the parade, there will be a dedication ceremony and singing of the National
Anthem.

Departments will be given awards for best cruiser, best uniform, and best honor guard. Parade organizers expect there will be more than 30 police departments and 10 bands participating.

Anyone with questions about the parade, can contact Newport police Det. John Sullivan at 401-845-5765 or jsullivan@cityofnewport.com.

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