Hundreds remember the life of Jamestown Officer Ryan Bourque
By Bianca Buono
@BBuonoABC6
Twenty-four-year-old patrolman Ryan Bourque of the Jamestown Police Department was laid to rest Saturday after he was killed in a wrong-way crash. Hundreds of first responders showed up to Saints John and Paul Church in Coventry in support of the officer and the Jamestown community.
"It’s a tough situation for us. It’s a very small community. Everybody obviously knows each other. I didn’t get to spend a lot of time with Ryan but from the limited experience I did have with him he was a real good guy, real down to earth, very humble guy,” said Jamestown Fire Captain Evan Katz.
Early Monday morning, Officer Bourque was on his way home from work after finishing a patrol shift when he was hit head on by a wrong way driver on I-95 in East Greenwich.
"I think it’s even more devastating when you see it off duty, on the way home from duty, where you presumably feel a little bit safer,” said Jamestown Fire Captain Michael Delessio.
Bourque celebrated his one year anniversary with the Jamestown Police Department just hours before that fatal crash.
Emotions ran high outside the funeral service as hundreds remembered the life of an officer taken much too soon. The service was kept private but several members of the public lined the streets in support of Officer Bourque.
"I saw all the flags and everything and I think it was a great procession. He was really a hero in my eyes and it’s just tragic what happened to him,” said Richard Beausoleil who watched the procession.
"The turnout here by the police and fire community speaks for itself. I’m very proud to be part of this community that would show so much care for one of its fallen members,” said Delessio.
Officer Bourque was buried at St. Joseph’s cemetery in West Greenwich. State police are still investigating the fatal crash.
