Police Station Dedicated in Memory of Major Alister McGregor

Family, friends and colleagues of , a respected East Providence officer killed during a training exercise 10 years ago to the day, stood in rapt attention as the was renamed in his memory Tuesday afternoon.

"[The profession] carries an immense risk," said Mayor Bruce Rogers at the ceremony podium overlooking hundreds of faces flooding the Waterman Avenue building's front parking lot. "It was a life cut too short."

Pastor Greg Carpenter, the department's chaplain, remembers the day when Major McGregor was accidentally shot. The news "devastated" the department as the Scottish-American was well respected and liked by his colleagues.

In addition to holding down the position of department hockey goalie, Major McGregor was an expert in "deadly force" and developed strategy plans against school shootings still utilized by departments across the state. He served East Providence for 16 years after policing in Reno, Nevada.

"It's a completely changed department because of Alister McGregor," Pastor Carpenter said in front of the newly-dedicated Major Alister C. McGregor Public Safety Complex.

A great father, husband and friend, Major McGregor was also known as die-hard sports fan. Patrolman Paul Rodriguez said the major would be "upset" if he didn't publically acknowledge that he eventually lost a bet a few years ago that was wagered on the Stanley Cup. McGregor was a Chicago Blackhawks fan. Rodriguez preferred the Philadelphia Flyers. Major McGregor was ultimately victorious.

"Congratulations Al. You won the bet," he said.

State police and department members from Newport, Middletown, Seekonk and Providence attended the ceremony. In a wave of unison, officers saluted as "The Star Spangled Banner" rung out over the crowd. Soon after, Captain Retired Walter Barlow, an organizer behind the memorial and the ceremony's keynote speaker, asked the family to help present the plaque situated on the side of the building's entrance.

Originally, plans were made to rename the overpass next to the East Providence High School in Major McGregor's name, according to Mayor Rogers. But organizers thought it would be more fitting to name the police station in his honor - and thus, a committee was born. Residents John Rossi and Candy Seel were instrumental in planning.

According to Captain Barlow, a Roger Williams University endowment fund for students who lost parents in the line of duty was created in name of the officer.

Ian McGregor, the major's eldest son and a member of the Newport Police Department, said his father's tragedy did not dissuade him from following in his professional footsteps. His brother Clifford is also an officer in the Middletown Police Department; another brother, Derek, is actively seeking police work.

"People say 'he was killed in the line of duty, what makes you want be a police officer?'" the Newport officer said standing on front of the new plaque. "You can shy away from it, or you can know the dangers of [the job] early on."

He went on to explain that the force is a brotherhood, a noble profession. 

"It's a sacred family."