WELCOME TO THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE BRISTOL 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION!

2011 Fourth of July Hattie Brown Award Recipient
Richard C. Sousa

The Hattie Brown Award recipient for the 226th Fourth of July Celebration is Richard C. Sousa.

This years Hattie Brown Award recipient is a life long resident of the town of Bristol. He Graduated from Colt Memorial High School and attended Salve Regina College for police related courses. He graduated from the RI Municipal Police Academy and served as detective in charge of the juvenile division. He retired from the Bristol Police Department with 23 years of service. He served in the Rhode Island National Guard 118th Military Police and received an honorable discharge Spec 5. This year's recipient has devoted his life to community service. He has volunteered with many organizations to improve the quality of life for the youth of Bristol. Youth Community service includes the following:.

• He served as coach and officer in the King Philip Little League, Babe Ruth League and Bristol Pop Warner Football.
• Baseball manager and officer for Bristol Junior and Senior American Legion baseball.
• Member of the Bristol Substance Abuse Task force and its liaison to the Bristol Police Department.
• Served on the Attorney General's Office Task force on Teen violence in the school and community.
• Expanded Little League Baseball & Pop Warner football with more teams, and did the same with the cheerleading squads. The goal being to keep boys and girls off the streets.
• During his time volunteering with the youth of Bristol many of the teams won titles and championships.
• Interfaced with the Juvenile Hearing Board as the Bristol Police Department detective liaison.
• Ran scholarships for students and fundraisers for families in need Other Youth Enhancement Activities .
• One of the founders of Grand slam Baseball Camp held at RWU.
• Founder of Junior American Legion Baseball Team.
When the Bristol Substance Abuse Task Force was formed he was instrumental in working with agencies that would help boys and girls who had problems with substance abuse. These agencies helped keep kids out of court, assisted them with their education and to move on with their life.
• Founder of the Bristol Connie Mack Baseball Team.

This year's recipient, along with his family, is a communicate of St. Elizabeth Church where he has been active on various committees' volunteering his time to fund raise on the following:

• St. Elizabeth's 80th anniversary
• St. Elizabeth's vision of Hope
• Chairman of the Golf Tournament for Scholarship fund
• Holy Ghost Committee

Achievements

• 50 commendations from, multiple law enforcement agencies, Bristol Police Department, state and town officials and general public
• Was inducted into Bristol Athletic Hall of Fame where he has been a member for 30 years. He served as vice chair for 6 years and 5 years to current as chairman. While chairman he was instrumental in getting a permanent home for the Hall of Fame which displays Hall of Fame memobelia.
• Chief Aide to the 1990 Chief Marshal
• Civilian aide to 2 past chief marshals of the 4th of July Celebration, a division marshal, and chief of staff to the 2009th chief marshal. All of which he was extremely proud and honored to serve.

This year's recipient's motto was to give back to the community by establishing a good foundation with the youth of Bristol. His favorite saying was "keep kids off the streets, out of court, play sports and get a good education".

He has been married to his wife Francine for 43 years. They have one son Richard who is married to Tracy Rancourt. He has 3 grandchildren Taylor Marie, Lillian Rose, Cory and his wife Heather, and one great grandchild Hailie Anne Sousa.

He continues to work as a Bailiff for Bristol Municipal court and for George Lima Funeral Home.