WPD Officer nominated for Special Olympics award

Special Olympics Rhode Island officially named Warwick police officer Frank Matarese as one of its 12 nominees for their inaugural Elwood Johnson Outstanding Service Award.

Matarese, who has been working for the WPD since 2022, was nominated by Warwick Police Chief Col. Bradford Connor because of his work in organizing the Law Enforcement Torch Run Cigar Dinner, which raised $2,000 for Special Olympics Rhode Island.

Special Olympics Rhode Island (SORI) announced the nominees earlier this week. The statewide award winner will be announced at the Friday, May 3 Rhode Island Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR RI) 2024 Conference. He also

Matarese is one of only a dozen members of Ocean State law enforcement nominated for the award, which has been “established in honor of Elwood Johnson Jr., a dedicated supporter of Special Olympics Rhode Island and longtime law enforcement member.”

The “award celebrates individuals who embody the spirit of philanthropy and community impact,” according to a SORI press release. The list of nominees recognizes “12 exceptional members of (LETR RI) community.”

“I am pleased to nominate Officer Frank Matarese for the 2024 Elwood Johnson Outstanding Service Award,” wrote Col. Connor.

Special Olympics Rhode Island is a “non-profit organization dedicated to providing year-round sports training and competition for individuals with intellectual disabilities,” according to awards banquet organizers.

The 12 honorees were nominated by their respective departments or agencies, and “have demonstrated unwavering dedication to providing opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities to empower themselves and their communities.”

“Officer Matarese has demonstrated his dedication by serving as an active committee member for LETR RI since 2022,” Col. Connor wrote. “His contributions have been instrumental, leading to his selection as an Assistant Director on the Executive Committee starting in 2023.”

Matarese’s philanthropic efforts extend beyond LETR, “including his role as the Final Leg Runner for RI at the World Games in Germany, Medal Presenter for the Area and Summer Games, and fundraising initiatives like the Celebrate the Movement 5K Road Race,” according to Col. Connor.

The list of the other 11 award nominees includes: Officer John Benros, Providence Police; Corp. Gregory Burbank, Westerly Police; Lt. Jason Cahill, Burrillville Police; Officer Mac Hindle, Hopkinton Police; Detective Eric Leclerc, Cranston Police; Officer Mario Mennella, Johnston Police; Lt. Sarah McNulty, Central Falls Police; Lt. Joshua Nelson, North Smithfield Police; Sgt. Jon Ricciarelli, Smithfield Police; Corp. Kyle Shibley, Rhode Island State Police; and Maj. James Tiernan, West Greenwich Police.

Special Olympics Rhode Island President and CEO Ed Pacheco has presented each law enforcement honoree with a citation and Elwood Johnson Outstanding Service pin.

SORI serves more than 3,500 Ocean State athletes of all ages, races and genders. The LETR is a volunteer movement established by members of law enforcement to support Special Olympics.