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Incident
Chief of Police John Bigbee succumbed to injuries received while fighting a fire three months earlier. The fire occurred at a farm down the street from his home. As he was assisting at the scene, he received a leg injury. The injury eventually caused blood poisoning, leading to his death. Chief Bigbee had served in law enforcement for 30 years and was Cranston's first police chief.
Survivors
He was survived by his son.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
30 years. You could have gone home.
Chief of Police Bigbee gave the Cranston Police Department 30 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Cranston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Bigbee.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Cranston Police Department has lost 3 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
John is one of 23 officers lost to accidents in RI, 41.8% of the 55 remembered there.
John is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1908, 1 officer in RI was lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 20 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 2.
In 1908, 36 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 111th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1908, 48 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 108th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
John was 62. Of the 22 lost to accidents in RI whose age is recorded, half were between 28.3 and 41.3; the middle age was 34. John had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
John was 62. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. John had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 62. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. John had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 21.7% of these deaths in RI, more than any other month. Fridays: 13%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Cranston Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 41.8% of all 55 deaths in RI, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Cranston Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 59-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Cranston Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
