BURRILLVILLE – A police lieutenant at the scene of a July 4 fireworks display gone wrong, in which one man was taken to the hospital, was charged in the incident.
Lt. Jason Cahill faced one count of possession of fireworks and one count of use of fireworks in Sixth District Court, according to Col. Stephen Lynch.
Cahill, a Harrisville resident, has worked for the department since 2006, when he was hired as a patrol officer. He was named lieutenant in 2020.
The misdemeanor charges were brought by the State Fire Marshal’s Office and stem from an incident at Spring Lake on the holiday evening, in which one man was transported to the hospital with a minor injury.
Lynch said Cahill has been on administrative duty since the incident, and the matter is being addressed in accordance with the Law Enforcement Bill of Rights.
Cahill pled nolo contendre at an arraignment on Friday, July 23 before Judge Christine Jabour. The use of fireworks charge was dismissed and the possession of fireworks will be filed for one year. Cahill was also reportedly assessed court costs.
Editor’s note: A post on social media was initially displaying a retired officer who was not at all related to this incident. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused.