Award-Winning Retired Police Officer James Kareemo, of Pawtucket, Dies at 85

Award-Winning Retired Police Officer James Kareemo, of Pawtucket, Dies at 85

Retired Police Officer James Kareemo, age 85, of Pawtucket, RI passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side on Monday, December 27, 2021. He was born on March 28, 1936, in Washington, DC to the late Anthony and Margaret Kareemo. He was the beloved husband for 57 years to Joyce A (Tassone) Kareemo. He also leaves his daughter Joyce "Joy" Kareemo of Providence, and son David (Tracey Hilton) Kareemo of North Kingstown, granddaughter Dr. Kalee Kareemo and grandson Dean (Darya) Kareemo. He also leaves his sister, Mary Hermiz, and many nieces and nephews. James was predeceased in death by his oldest son, Stephen Kareemo, and his brother, Sydney Kareemo, and his wife, Mary.

James was a 1956 graduate of William E. Tolman High School in Pawtucket and then served in the US Marine Corps Reserve, Fields Point, Providence, RI and then served in the US Army, Germany, where Elvis Presley also served during the same time. James was a 1961 graduate of the Municipal Police Training School in Pawtucket. RI where he then became a highly respected Pawtucket Police Officer serving in the detective division, vice squad, and traffic division, as well as community relations counselor for the Pawtucket Police Department for sixteen years until his retirement. James was also a 1976 graduate of Salve Regina College with an A.S. in Law Enforcement and a 1978 graduate of Roger Williams College with a B.A. in Social Science.

James also was a member of the Pawtucket Crisis Intervention Team (one of the first in the state) where he intervened in domestic crisis situations from 1974 to 1977. He was Executive Director of the Police Family Stress Association of Rl in 1979 for two years, which offered police referrals and counseling to families with social issues. After his retirement from the Pawtucket Police Department, James continued his Law Enforcement career in 1982 and became a Providence County Deputy Sheriff for ten years. James was also a former member of the Pawtucket School Committee for 15 years. He was also a Municipal Police Academy Instructor and an active member of the Pawtucket Lodge Fraternal Order of Police and Pawtucket Police Association.

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He was a member of the Providence County Deputy Sheriffs Association, Board of Directors, Pawtucket Family

Service, RI Chapter of the Tourette's Syndrome, Board of Directors and Advisory Board, Past member, Pawtucket Juvenile Hearing Board, Past member, Pawtucket Housing Authority, Board of Directors.

Throughout his career in Law Enforcement, he received the following awards and recognitions: "Military Order of the Purple Heart of the US Congress" Awarded for the pursuit and apprehension of an armed criminal, 1979 "Rhode Island Police Officer of the Year" Awarded by the Rhode Island Attorney General, 1977.  "The Blue Star Award'' Presented by Pawtucket Mayor Dennis Lynch and Pawtucket Police Chief Joseph Roy for heroic conduct while being injured in the line of duty, 1977. "The Lieutenant Governor's Citation Award" awarded for heroic conduct, 1977. "Fraternal Order of Police Lodge Number 4 Pawtucket, RI" The Appreciation Award, 1977. "Samuel Slater Junior High School, Pawtucket, RI" The Appreciation Award, 1977.

James' favorite pastimes were traveling with his family, fishing, camping, playing cards with his law enforcement "brothers" collecting law enforcement patches, and his marvelous wristwatch collection. He was a huge fan of the New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox. He was also a lover of antiques, especially furniture. He learned at a young age from his Uncle Albert how to restore and refinish furniture and then opened up the business "Kareemo Refinishing" for a number of years. James also loved photography and had an enormous collection of photographs and slides. Every holiday he would be excited to display a slideshow for the family of their recent vacations, etc.  He was still fond of his camera which he purchased back in Germany in 1960 while in the Army.

James was a protector his entire life and a fighter until the very end. And all who knew James completely loved and respected him.

"Don't worry...everything is fine."

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to a Funeral Service, Thursday, December 30th at 12 pm in the Costigan-O’Neill Funeral Home, 220 Cottage Street, Pawtucket.

Burial with Military Honors will follow at Swan Point Cemetery, Providence.

Visiting hours will be held Thursday, prior to the service, from 10:30 am-12:00 pm in the Costigan-O’Neill Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made, in James’ honor to The Alzheimer's Association of RI or Hope Health of RI.