Officer Steve Lombardi received the regional Officer of the Year Award last night from the Rhode Island State Grange. If you know this man you will certainly agree that it is well deserved. Many people talk about the prototypical "Officer Friendly", but Steve is absolutely the nicest officer you've probably ever met. But don't let that fool you. Not only does he make all the connections in the community, he also spearheads RI's local PD participation in the Solemn Task Force. The task force, headed by the US Marshal's office, keeps track and tabs on all of RI's sex offenders.

The Grange is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization based in more than 2,100 hometowns across America. They have nearly 150 years of history and spirit of grassroots advocacy. The Grange, whose roots start in agriculture, works throughout Rhode Island, supporting farmers, collaborating with Agriculture and Conservations groups, promoting community activities, volunteering with animal shelters and food pantries, raising funds for scholarships and helping veterans and the hearing impaired.