By Chris Machado, Narragansett Times (Rhode Island)
SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. - It almost seemed like South Kingstown Detective Mike Nolan was embarrassed by the attention.
For 17 years, Nolan has gone about doing his job quietly and effectively.
The cool, calm demeanor that has helped him solve crimes and catch criminals was shaken at Monday night’s town council meeting when Nolan was named South Kingstown Police Officer of the Year.
“It makes you feel good to know that all the day-to-day work has been worthwhile,” Nolan said after he was presented with a plaque and service ribbon by South Kingstown Police Chief Vincent Vespia.
The award is given to a department member who in the past year has displayed exceptional performance in service.
Last year, Bethany (Dolock) Barrington was the first recipient of the award, which was established in 2003.
As humble as Nolan, 41, was in accepting his award, Vespia was equally as effusive.
“Detective Nolan is a 17-year veteran of the police department whose file is replete with commendations, letters of appreciation, and he is recognized as a mentor to department members who seek to achieve professional standards on investigation techniques,” said Vespia.
Along with Vespia, Nolan’s wife, Leslie, his two children, Brendan, 13, and Ali, 10, and a half dozen fellow officers and police department personnel attended the presentation.
As each filed past Nolan offering their congratulations, Nolan took a minute to remember his time at the department.
Told by his grandfather, James Nolan, a member of the first Rhode Island State Police Class in 1925, not to go into law enforcement, Nolan nonetheless began as a night patrol officer 17 years ago in South Kingstown.
After 12 years, he was promoted to detective.
“I really like being a detective,” he said succinctly. “I like the investigations.”
One specific investigation that Nolan was cited for was the March 1, 2004 Fleet Bank robbery on Old Tower Hill Road when a male walked into the bank and told the teller that he had a grenade.
The culprit escaped with a large amount of money but Vespia credited Nolan’s wherewithal as the reason why the case was solved.
“The hallmark of any successful police investigation is developing leads and scrutinizing every shred of evidence found at the crime scene,” Vespia said.
An investigation headed by Nolan led to a paroled ex-convict. Nolan received information from outside the department that the suspect was seen with a female in Providence with a large amount of cash.
“Information was further developed that the suspect and his female companion visited a local restaurant and shopping area around Wakefield purchasing sunglasses used as a disguise in the robbery,” said Vespia.
Vespia added that Nolan, and the other officers working on the case, garnered further evidence when they found a piece of clothing that was identified as the suspect’s at the restaurant.
“Detective Nolan was able to tie the garment to the suspect as well as obtain a positive identification of the couple,” said Vespia. “The male suspect was successfully prosecuted in the federal system and is now serving a substantial prison sentence.”
According to Vespia, it was police work like this that made Nolan the clear choice for the award.
“The dedication and professionalism displayed by Detective Nolan represents the highest standards of law enforcement and is contagious to those with whom he is associated,” said Vespia.
Nolan plans to retire from the force in August.