the most important meal for Mary Day

It's not everyday you get to order breakfast from a police lieutenant, but this is Rhode Island and if you want to drive to Coventry you can do just that.

On weekends Lt. Mary Day, Providence's highest ranking female officer, cooks at PJ's Diner in Coventry. Day, along with her partner Pamela DiMicco, opened the diner seven years ago. She is the weekend short order cook.

Day prepares several meals at a time: eggs a variety of ways, pancakes and the daily special. And she makes fresh blueberry and corn muffins from scratch, serving them hot from the oven.

In addition to her restaurant duties, you can find Lt. Mary Day, on patrol around Providence. Day is in charge of the city's 4th district, headquartered on Cranston Street.

Day is also a well-known local singer-songwriter who plays guitar at venues across the state. She received national attention for her song "St. Michael by Your Side" written in memory of a friend and colleague killed in the line of duty in 1994.

When she's not cooking, singing, or on her beat, Day says she tries to spend quality time with Pam and their three teenage boys, or have dinner with friends.

To hear Day sing or to get information about PJ's Diner go to www.marydaybluz.com.

- Deborah L. Perry, She Shines