BURRILLVILLE – The Burrillville Police Department honored a member of their team this month who served as a critical behind-the-scenes force, coordinating events and initiatives, managing municipal court, and spearheading community outreach programs for more than 33 years.
Executive Assistant and Municipal Court Clerk Lisa Rabideau retired from the department in November, taking with her decades of knowledge and organizational skills that helped to guide the agency – and even the town – through everything from free senior lunch programs to Covid-19 vaccinations.
“She has been my right hand since I arrived in Burrillville 12 years ago,” said Burrillville Police Chief Col. Stephen Lynch at the BPD’s annual Awards Ceremony & Heroes in Our Community Celebration.
A town resident and graduate from Burrillville High School, Rabideau was hired as a dispatcher for the department in 1992. She was promoted to administrative assistant to the chief in 2010, and also served as the town’s municipal court clerk.
Rabideau has coordinated the BPD’s massive Adopt a Family Christmas program since it began in 2013, helping to provide a complete holiday for selected local families in need with everything from piles of beautifully wrapped toys and other gifts, to warm winter coats, gift cards, stuffed stockings and treats for the family pet.
“She facilitated the financial logistics and coordination of funds received from all department members as well as the growing list of community members who donated and wanted to assist this incredibly successful program,” said Lynch.
Rabideau’s dedication extended well beyond the walls of the police headquarters at 1477 Victory Highway as she worked with other town department’s on things such as Covid-19 clinics and Continuity of Operations Planning with the Burrillville Emergency Management Agency.
Most recently, she took the lead role in launching Burrillville’s Lunch and Learn program at the request of Town Manager Michael Wood.
“A town-funded program to provide a full lunch and educational programs at the popular Wrights Family restaurant, this highly attended program for the elderly provides a hot chicken dinner, raffle awards segment and various educational speakers for the town’s elderly, retired veterans and former public safety members,” said Lynch. “The popular program has grown to several events per year and Lisa is the one makes it happen.”
Rabideau has also been the voice of Burrillville’s Code Red announcements since that program’s inception, and even served as point person for the very ceremony where she was honored on Thursday, Dec. 4. Her name was notably missing from a list of award recipients sent out to press in advance of the event, as Lynch, her grateful boss of more than three decades, kept the recognition a surprise.
“Most importantly she has been a voice of guidance, support, kindness and treasured friendship for all Burrillville department member active and retired for the past 33 and half years,” said Lynch. “Tonight we honor Lisa Rabideau and say thank you for everything.”
Rabideau retired from the department effective Friday, Nov. 21, taking a job just down the road managing operations for a power line construction company that recently opened a location in Burrillville, Greystone Utility Services.
Congratulations on your retirement, Lisa. Wishing you much success in your new position.
I remember dispatching and dealing with Lisa while I was with North Smithfield police and Cranston police back in the day. She was a true professional. Congratulations on your retirement and good luck in your next chapter!
Well done Lisa. An admirable mother and public servant over many years.