Police department promotes pair of ‘outstanding officers’

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Stepping to the podium last Friday morning at the Johnston Senior Center, Mayor Joseph Polisena said: “This is truly a special day for these two fine men, their families and friends. It’s a well-deserved promotion that cannot be understated.”

It was a day filled with history, as Polisena – along with Police Chief Richard S. Tamburini and Deputy Chief Daniel O. Parrillo – presided over a special ceremony that saw Joseph Salvadore go from sergeant to lieutenant and patrolman David Loffler graduate to the rank of sergeant.

For Salvadore, the day had extra meaning. He began his law enforcement career in the highly acclaimed Johnston Police Department Explorer program, and became the first graduate of Post 405 to be promoted to lieutenant.

For Loffler, the day was also unique, as he began his time with the department as a civilian dispatcher while also being a sergeant with the 115th Military Police Company, which was activated and served in Operation Iraqi Freedom as well as in Kuwait, Jordan, and Qatar.

“I am excited to be here with Mayor Polisena as we promote two outstanding officers,” Tamburini said. “In our business, promotion is something special. It is an indication of years of hard work and commitment by not only these officers, but by their families who play a critical role in their careers. I know our loved ones have tremendous pride in all of us and what we do.”

Tamburini, who is in his 50th year in the law enforcement profession, went on: “I want to say thank you to all our officers here. You too have played a crucial role supporting these men as they move forward in our department.”

Polisena added: “A promotion isn’t just about a paycheck. It’s a reward for the many outstanding contributions these two men – and others before them – have made to serve and protect the citizens of Johnston. It also means they are about to take on added responsibilities in these difficult social times.”

Parrillo, who served as emcee for the special ceremony, said: “Policing in America today is at a crossroads in its relationship with the community we are sworn to serve and protect. An important component to stemming this recent tide of distrust and instilling confidence and trust in the police is effective leadership and supervision. That is what makes this promotional ceremony today so vital to the ongoing commitment of the Johnston police to the residents and business owners of the town of Johnston.”

The deputy chief then added: “These two officers have displayed throughout their careers the dedication and commitment that is needed to lead the man and women of the Johnston Police Department into the future.”

Salvadore, who had his lieutenant’s badge pinned on by his wife Francesca and son Nico, has been a sworn member of the department since his June 2005 completion of the Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy.

He graduated from La Salle Academy and went on to Johnson & Wales University, where he received a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice with a minor in psychology in 2009. In 2011, he received a master of science degree in criminal justice from Boston University.

Salvadore was promoted to the rank of sergeant in February 2012, and he has worked each shift within the Patrol Division. He was also a member of the Special Services Division, in which he supervised accident investigations and the school resource officers as well as served as the elderly affairs liaison.

Parrillo said Salvadore “has been the recipient of numerous department awards for his self-initiated police work.”

He is also the certified drug recognition expert for the department and a member of the awards committee. He and his wife Francesca are the proud parents of 10-month-old Nico David Salvadore. He is the son of Lori and David Salvadore of Johnston, brother of Lori Salvadore, and grandson of Anna Amitrano of Johnston.

In 2005, Loffler joined the department as a civilian dispatcher and was assigned to the midnight shift. He began his police career as a patrol officer after gradating from the Municipal Police Academy on Nov. 30, 2007. He has worked on all three patrol shifts and has been assigned to the day shift since September 2012.

During his nine years as a patrolman, he was awarded the department’s Commendation Award on Oct. 15, 2013, and received several letters of appreciation.

Loffler began his professional career in the National Guard as a sergeant and served the U.S. Army from December 1999 to 2007. During that time, his unit was activated for Operation Iraqi Freedom from February 2003 to April 2004. He was also part of relief efforts in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in August 2005.

Loffler has been married to his wife Jessica since 2009. The couple has three exceptional sons – David, 7, Jacob, 6, and Benjamin, 4. The Lofflers are also expecting their fourth child in March.

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