He helped solve the murder of Grayce M. Asquith, the Millen-Faber Case, the kidnapping of Peggy McMath, and the Kennedy Jewel robberies.

[1][2] In 1937, he and Attorney General Paul A. Dever conducted one of the largest racketeering investigations in the state's history following the murder of Louis Gaeta.

[2] In September 1934, Public Safety Commissioner Daniel Needham promoted Stokes to chief of detectives.

[4] In July 1950, Governor Paul A. Dever chose Stokes to the run the newly-created Massachusetts Civilian Defense Agency.

[5] He planned on retiring after the cleanup of the 1953 Worcester tornado was complete, however he remained on longer after the man nominated to succeed him, Henry Parkman Jr., was offered the position of assistant United States High Commissioner in Germany by president Dwight D.