BURRILLVILLE – The Burrillville Police Department officially swore in a new probationary patrol officer on Wednesday, Feb 23, in a ceremony attended by many in the ranks.
Kurtis Paterson, a Blackstone, Mass. native, took the Law Enforcement Oath of Honor administered by Town Clerk Vicki Martin at a meeting of the Burrillville Town Council.
A 2013 graduate from Blackstone Valley Vocational Technical High School, Paterson was a four year member of the school’s soccer team, serving as captain during his junior and senior years. Paterson was also a member of the school’s lacrosse team, and off season he stayed active with the Woonsocket Boxing Club, according to a bio presented by Col. Stephen Lynch.
Paterson is the owner/operator of Kurtis A. Plumbing and Heating and is married to Casey Paterson, also originally from Blackstone, his “lifetime sweetheart,” according to Lynch.
“A master plumber, Paterson sought out a career in law enforcement after he started taking criminal justice classes at the Community College of Rhode Island in 2019,” Lynch said.
Paterson obtained an associate’s degree from CCRI with a GPA of 4.0, also joining the school’s Nonviolence and Social Justice Club. He entered Rhode Island’s Municipal Police Training Academy in July of 2021, graduating second in his class in December, with a GPA 96.5.
The latest officer to join BPD ranks is a member of the Blackstone Valley Boys & Girls Alumni Committee, which raises funding to support the Boys & Girls Club in his hometown of Blackstone. Lynch noted he is also a student of “
He also continues as a student of Krav Maga, which is a military self defense system that combines the most effective techniques from various martial arts.
“Officer Paterson continues to excel in his required field training phase of training,” Lynch said.
Parents Bruce and Leslie Paterson attended the officer’s swearing in ceremony, along with many other friends, fellow officers and family members.
