WARWICK, RI (April 11, 2024) – Fr. Robert L. Marciano, KHS ’75, President, is proud to announce that Bishop Hendricken High School will honor Colonel Stephen McCartney, retired Warwick Chief of Police, for his years of dedicated public service to Rhode Island at Epoch: The 2024 Gala for Hendricken presented by Flood Auto Group on Saturday, April 27, 2024. The evening will begin at 6pm. Honors presentation will take place at 8:30pm.
During the gala, Fr. Marciano will present Colonel McCartney with the Bishop Hendricken Distinguished Public Service Award which is presented each year to a Rhode Islander whose dedicated themselves to serving the state and local communities. Colonel McCartney is only the third to receive the award. Past recipients include The Honorable Donald L. Carcieri and Judge Frank Caprio H’22, P’84, ’85.
“We are proud to honor Colonel Stephen McCartney with our highest award,” said Fr. Marciano. “At Bishop Hendricken, we teach servant leadership, and the Colonel has certainly lived this ideal. His service and spirit are best summed up with the motto of his beloved Marine Corps – Semper Fidelis – always faithful! Through his service in the Marines and law enforcement, he has left a legacy of selflessness. He is a model for our Hendricken men – past, present, and future – to emulate. We are blessed to call him our friend.”
After graduating from Providence College, Stephen McCartney was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. He served overseas in Vietnam until returning home in 1971 to continue his service prior to release from active duty in 1973. McCartney retained a reserve commission and joined the 1st Battalion, 25th Marines while also joining the Providence Police Department, where he served for 26 years. During this time, McCartney worked in nearly every major division of the department, rising up its ranks. After serving as the commanding officer of the 1/25 when they were called back to active duty for Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, he was promoted to the rank of Colonel. In 1995, he was assigned as the Director of the Investigative Division in Providence and promoted to the rank of major before retiring from the force 1999. McCartney became the Chief of Police in the city of Warwick where he served until his retirement in 2019.
Colonel McCartney has served his country, his state, and the local community in a tremendous fashion. He holds many awards and commendations for his service to the cities of Providence and Warwick. During his law enforcement career, McCartney served as the Chair of the Rhode Island Police Officers Standards and Training Commission, Chair of the Rhode Island Police Accreditation Commission, and Chair of the Rhode Island Law Enforcement Grants Commission.
Colonel Stephen McCartney and his family will be in attendance to accept his honors and deliver remarks to attendees. Tickets for Epoch: The 2024 Gala for Hendricken are on sale now at hendricken.com/epoch. All proceeds from the gala benefit tuition assistance for young men who wish to attend Bishop Hendricken, but need help to make it a reality.
