Retired Providence Police Detective David Patrick Deignan, Jr. of Providence, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, September 19th, at the age of 85.

Born in Providence on February 3, 1939, to David Patrick Sr. and Marion Belle Russell, David grew up on Providence's south side. He graduated from Central High School in 1959. He enlisted in the US Army and, after basic training, was stationed at Fort Hayes in Columbus, Ohio, in 1962.

When returning to Fort Hayes while on leave one weekend, the vehicle he was traveling in with two fellow Army buddies broke down on a rural road in Pataskala, Ohio. They walked 1/2 mile to reach the nearest farm house where they could call Fort Hayes to advise of their predicament so they would not be considered AWOL. There, he met his wife of 60 years, Sharon Ann Bing, whom he married on October 12, 1963, two days after being transferred from active duty to the US Army Reserves on October 10. He was honorably discharged on September 30, 1967.

Dave and his new wife Sharon returned to his hometown in Providence, where, in 1964, he joined the Providence Police Department. After serving several years in the Patrol division, he took night classes and studied for the Detective exam so he could get on a day shift, which was more conducive to family life. His studying paid off, and he was promoted to the rank of Detective. As a Detective, he served in several roles at the department. 

Serving on a task force, on February 26, 1975, David was shot in the chest while participating in a drug raid on Betsy Williams Drive in the Edgewood section of Cranston. He was rushed to Saint Joseph's Hospital, where he remained in intensive care for several weeks, the bullet lodged in his left lung one inch from his heart. Doctors determined it would be more dangerous to remove the bullet than leave it. As such, David carried it with him for the rest of his life, a daily reminder of that day forty-nine years ago. His assailant posted bail, fled the country, and was never brought to justice.

After a two year convalescence, David returned to light duty, and served as a day-shift detective in the Juvenile department at Central Station on Fountain Street, as he had not regained full use of his left arm due to the trauma caused by the bullet. He served in the Juvenile department until his retirement in December 1991, after 26 years of service.

David was awarded the Purple Heart by the Providence Police Department, presented by Mayor Vincent "Buddy" Cianci on November 23, 1997. In an odd twist of fate, Mayor Cianci was also the Mayor of Providence the day David was shot. David received several commendations from the community resulting from his injury. These included certificates of commendation from both the Greater Cranston Chamber of Commerce and the American Legion, the "Policeman of the Year" award from the Providence Central Lions Club, and the Law Enforcement Commendation Medal from the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.

Since his retirement, Dave has led a life of leisure, taking day trips with his wife, serving as an usher and collector at St. Pius Church, engaging in several hobbies, and most recently spending Sunday afternoons having lunch at Gregg's Restaurant with his two newest grandchildren, Muriel and Olyvia.

Preceded in death by his wife Sharon, David is survived by his sons Michael Patrick and his wife Anna of Rehoboth, MA, and Matthew Stanley of West Warwick.

He is further survived by his six grandchildren, Jennifer Lynne Homerston and her husband Adam of Johnston, James Alexander Deignan and his wife Therese of Warwick, Jonathan Paul Deignan of Glocester, Dylana Marina Deignan of Cumberland, and lastly, Muriel Aine Deignan and Olyvia Eostre Deignan, both of Rehoboth, MA. Finally, he is survived by four great-grandchildren, Keira Lynne Tucker and Landon John, Logan David, and Amelia Josephine Homerston, all of Johnston.

Visitation Thursday, September 26 from 4pm to 7pm at the J. F. Skeffington Funeral Home, 925 Chalkstone Avenue, Providence. A mass of Christian burial will be held the following morning, Friday, at 10 a.m. at St. Pius V Church, 240 Eaton Street in Providence. Interment will follow at the RI Veteran's Memorial Cemetery in Exeter.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his name to the F.O.P Lodge #3's charity, Cops for Kids with Cancer, at https://copsforkidswithcancer.org/donation-in-honor/

For online condolences kindly visit: Skeffingtonfuneralhome.com

View/Sign the Guestbook