slides: FBI Files - The Patriarca Papers - Entry 55 Col. Stone Protecting a Source

Monday, August 22, 2016
GoLocalWorcester News Team

Colonel Walter Stone dominated RI law enforcement for more than 50 years. He served as Providence Police Chief and Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police in two separate terms. His tenure was interrupted when Raymond Patriarca put pressure on then-Governor John Notte to remove Stone. When John Chafee upset Democrat Governor Notte by less than 400 votes to win the Governorship, he restored Stone as head of the RI State Police.

According to this week's FBI files on Patriarca, Stone intervene to protect a source.

“SOURCE became very emotional, stating that he would testify and would not consider entering the federal witness protection program. On April 15, 1981, a meeting was held at the offices of Colonel Walter E. Stone, RISP. Present were representatives of the State of R.I. Attorney General’s Office, the New England organized crime strike force and FBI, in addition to the RISP. Stone advised that even though the source had become uncooperative and is refusing to testify in this matter, a responsibility exists on the part of the RISP with respect to the safety of the potential victim. Stone advised it is the intention of the RISP to, at the very least, confront the subjects in this matter..”