website watertownhistory.org
ebook History of Watertown, Wisconsin
Watertown Police Department website
Portfolio of
pictures <> UNDER CONSTRUCTION
1950-1999 SECTION
ON HISTORY OF
__________________________________________________________________________________________
1900-1949 section 
Other Segments 
2000-2016 section
__________________________________________________________________________________________
History of the
Watertown Police Department
Serving the community since 1853
1950
May FIVE-MAN BOARD OF POLICE AND FIRE COMMISSIONERS
Attorney Kenneth
Kolberg
Leonard Kramp,
president
R. F. McLaughlin
T. J. Koerner
Ralph Busse
05 23 U. S. BONDS - INDEPENDENCE CAMPAIGN
A REPLICA
OF THE LIBERTY BELL
Watertown yesterday
welcomed a replica of the Liberty Bell, one of 49 such bells now touring the
nation in connection with the U. S. bonds - Independence campaign.
The above picture was
taken shortly after the bell reached here, when it stopped in front of the
Hornburg Motors building.
Roy Pfeiffer, president
of the Watertown Association of Commerce, is shown standing atop the truck on
which the bell is mounted, just before he struck the bell.
During the day its
tones were heard many times as it made stops in the downtown section of the
city and at local schools and industrial plants. In the forefront are, left to right: Leonard G. Braunschweig of the local police
department, Capt. Joseph Checkai of the local fire inspection bureau, City
Manager Dean Van Ness and Mrs. John W. Keck, general chairman of the bond day
program.
Newell Parker of the
Hornburg Motor organization was the chairman of the day.
The Ford Motor Co. is
providing all of the transportation for the 49 bells now on tour.
06 05 E. LYLE FARRELL RESIGNS
E. Lyle Farrell, 204 N. Church, today submitted his resignation to
Chief of Police Theodore C. Voigt. It is
understood that Officer Farrell plans to return to private work. Before joining the force on Sept. 1, 1947, he
was a mechanic for Dairy Distributors Inc., Co-op, now Dairy Lane Inc., Co-op.
06 09 BEER
BOTTLES THROWN INTO SWIMMING POOL
Two
Watertown boys, one 17 and the other whose age has not been given, will be
questioned here in connection with the act of vandalism at Riverside
park swimming pool earlier this week which has
delayed opening of the pool for some time.
Park Policeman Glenn O’Brien picked up two boys in the park for
being noisy and boisterous Wednesday night and they are to be questioned in
connection with the pool incident.
Beer
bottles were heaved into the pool, breaking into millions of tiny bits [pool
apparently not yet filled with water].
The. entire pool will have to be cleaned and flushed to eliminate all
particles of the glass before the pool can be used. The park crew, under the supervision of Park
Superintendent E. E, Brumm, had put in 30 man hours of work getting the pool
ready when the incident took place Wednesday night, which has caused the delay
in opening the swimming season here
07 31 PARKING METER ORDINANCE WENT INTO EFFECT
v 
Officer Leonard Braunschweig, Paul
Klink (petroleum dealer), Arthur Mallow (contractor)
08 04 MARLYN MANN JOINS FORCE
Marlyn,
age 27, named to succeed E. L. Farrell, who resigned to return to private
work. Mann is married and lives at 606
S. Third. He is a veteran of WWII.
10 20 VOIGT
BEGINS DUTIES AS FBI SPECIAL AGENT
Chief of Police
Theodore C. Voigt has been named a special agent of the federal bureau of
investigation, according to a report received here from Washington, D. C.,
where he has been since last month taking examinations for the position.
The chief is now on
leave of absence as head of the Watertown police department, since his
appointment as agent is for an indefinite period. Under terms of a resolution which the city
council adopted some time ago all city officials and employees who leave for
emergency, wartime or special government duty, are fully protected in their
position status here and in the pension and other rights.
Captain Herbert H.
Vehlow, who has been serving as an acting chief of police, will continue in
that capacity on a temporary basis, City Manager Dean Van Ness announced at the
city hall today.
Chief Voigt’s
appointment had been expected for some time.
In fact six months ago he revealed that he was under consideration for
an appointment but asked that the announcement be withheld until it was
actually confirmed. He has now been
sworn in as a special agent.
Voigt, who is 45, has
been a member of the police department here since July 22, 1932. He succeeded to the position of captain of
police on Jan. 3, 1944 when he took over the duties of William Grossert who
retired at that time. On July 3, of the
same year, he was appointed by the board of police and fire commissioners to be
chief of police, succeeding Albert N. Quest, who died in office June 6, 1944.
From 1932 to 1939 Voigt
served as a patrolman and on March 23, 1939 he was advanced to the rank of
sergeant, serving in that capacity until his advancement to the police
captaincy.
Before joining the
police department he was a member of the United States Marine Corps, serving
from 1923 to 1927.
During the
administration
of Mayor Byron Wackett Ted Voigt was selected to attend a three-month course at
the FBI academy in Washington, D.C.
1950s
ALFRED ( MICKEY ) KRAHN & MARLYN ( PECKY ) MANN
L-R: Alfred (
Mickey ) Krahn, Marlyn ( Pecky ) Mann or Norman Behlke, unknown civilian
PEA
COAT (OR REEFER), BRIDGE COAT AND CAP
Belonged to Sergeant Palmer J
"Fuzzy" Freres
1951
04 16 FLOYD MILLER joined
Department (retired in 1983).
05 09 EDWARD WILDES joined
Department
Plans to add another man
to the Watertown police department, bringing the total force to 15 men,
including the chief, are being discussed here.
At the same time, it was announced today that Edward T. Wildes has been
named to the department to fill a vacancy caused by the recent resignation of
Patrolman Robert Harthun who is leaving to accept a position with an insurance
company.
Wildes has been a
member of the Jefferson county traffic police for a number of years.
Wildes was confirmed
for the position by, the board of police and fire commissioners on May 1, but
announcement was withheld until today to iron out some technicalities in the
commission’s rules, according to Theodore Koerner, secretary of the board. Wildes will begin his duties on the night
force May 15, bringing the force to 14 men.
Watertown now has 13 policemen. including chief of police
Herbert Vehlow who is serving in that capacity during the absence, on leave of
Chief Theodore C. Voigt. The other 12
members are Captain Patrick Kunitz, Sgt. Hilbert Eisfeldt, Sgt. Alfred Krahn,
and Leonard Braunschweig, John Bentheimer, Gordon G. Gerth, Melvin Wendt,
Clarence Tessmann, Edward Dusowsky, Marlyn K. Mann, John Crandall and Floyd
Miller. After May 15 it will have 14
men.
Plans to add another
man to the department are to be laid before the city council with a request
that the extra man be provided for in the coming budget. The city is held to be under-policed at this
time.
c.1951
DEPARTMENT GROUP PHOTO
Leonard Braunschweig,
Melvin Wendt, Alfred (Mickey) Krahn, Clarence Tessmann, Norman Behlke, Robert
J. Harthun, Palmer J "Fuzzy" Freres, Gordon Gerth, Hilbert Eisfeldt, Marlyn
Mann, Chief Theodore Voigt, Herbert Vehlow, Patrick Kunitz, Edward Dusowsky.
ALFRED (MICKEY) KRAHN
1952
-- -- ERNEST
KUBLY, Officer from
1952-1955. Died 03 13 2015.
04 14 OFFICER
EDWARD WILDES RETIRES
Effective
May 1st / Joined dept in
1951.
04 16 POLICE
ELIGIBLE LIST ADDITIONS
1953
05 22 OFFICER
JOHN BENTHEIMER DIES SUDDENLY. Officer from
1943-1953.
Second of Two Heart Attacks
Proves Fatal
John F. Bentheimer, 45, of 305
South Seventh Street, a member of the Watertown Police Department for the past
ten years, died late yesterday afternoon in St. Mary’s Hospital after suffering
the second of two heart attacks.
Mr. Bentheimer, who had never
complained about a heart condition but who recently had not been feeling well
due to a gall bladder condition, went to a physician’s office yesterday
afternoon to consult about his health.
He suffered a slight heart attack in the doctor’s office and was
immediately taken to the hospital in the Meyer ambulance. At the hospital he suffered a second and more
severe attack while in the elevator which was taking him to a room in an upper
part of the building. He died in the
elevator. Death occurred about 4:23
o’clock.
Only Wednesday the officer had
returned from Superior where he had been the delegate from the local department
to the annual convention of the Wisconsin Policemen’s Protective
Association. He was in good spirits and
had talked over some of the convention proceedings with fellow officers. Link to obit
1954
-- 1954 REPORT
The one great lack of
the department [1954] is a modern office and modern and spacious quarters. This is one of the crying needs for better
police work and greater efficiency. The
present quarters have been inadequate for many years.
In addition to Chief
Voigt, the 1954 police force consisted of the following:
Inspector Herbert
Vehlow, Captain Patrick Kunitz, Patrolmen Leonard G. Braunschweig, Alfred A.
Krahn, Hilbert C. Eisfeldt, Gordon Gerth, and Melvin Wendt, Sgt. Clarence
Tessmann and Patrolmen Marlyn K. Mann, Edward Dusowsky, John W. Crandall, Floyd
H. Miller, Norman F. Behlke, Ernest V. Kubly and Robert D. Lund.
New Park
Policeman. Walter Kressin took over his
duties as park policeman and will also serve as a special police officer
whenever demands arise. He succeeded the
late Glen W. O'Brien.
Aside from the chiefs
of police and others mentioned, the department has been fortunate in the rank
and file membership over the years. The
late Michael Bolger, for many years police captain, was among the outstanding
police officers. Others included the
late Lucius Bruegger, Arthur Zimmermann,
Herbert Weis,
Arthur Glaser, and John Bentheimer.
Among the men living in
1954 and who served the department ably and well for many years were Arthur
Doerr, Capt. William Grossert and Capt. John Novotny and Ray Brier.
04 14 NEW PARK POLICEMAN
Walter H. Kressin, 1012
Labaree Street, last night was approved by the Board of Police and Fire
Commission to be the city’s new park policeman.
He succeeds the late Glenn O’Brien.
He was recommended for the position by Chief of Police Theodore C. Voigt
from a list of men who were under consideration. Mr. Kressin will begin his duties on May 1,
the board reported this morning. Mr.
Kressin is a driver for the Wisconsin Transit Lines, Inc., operator of the
Watertown bus service. At one time he
was associated with the Watertown Squab
Company.
June MUSTACHE GROWN
Officer Melvin Wendt
Mustache was grown for the 1954 city centennial celebration contest.
June OFFICERS EMEGE FROM
BRUSH
Officers Alfred Krahn and Melvin Wendt
c.1954
Edward Dusowsky, Patrick Kunitz, Norman Behlke, __?__,
Gordon Gerth
1955
-- -- OFFICER EARL R.
EBERT JOINED THE DEPARTMENT IN 1955
1955-1966
HERBERT F. VEHLOW, Chief of Police
1955-69
EARL EBERT, 1955-1969
Died at age 47 (b.1921,
d. 04 28 1969), resided at 1302 Hutson Dr.
Served on the force 14 years
1955c
Gay Theder,
Asst Fire Chief, Herb Vehlow, Police Chief, Dean Van Ness, City Manager, Al
Linde, Fire Chief.
1956
RULES AND REGULATIONS Governing the Watertown Fire
Department
SECTION 25. To Assist Police. It shall be the duty of every member of
the Dept. to assist the Police Officers in making arrests or quelling
disturbances when called upon to do so when away from Company Quarters. Whenever word is sent to Quarters asking for
assistance to the Police, the commanding officer in Quarters shall detail as
many men as may be necessary for the occasion, provided that not less than the
minimum number of men required by Dept. rules shall remain in Quarters for duty
in case of fire. Riedl, Ken, Watertown Fire Department: 1858-2007,
2007, pg 314
01 15 LOUIS A. KOHLS appointed to the department.
02 10 PAY RAISES FOR POLICE/FIRE
Thirty-four city employees, including 15 members of
the Police Department, 16 members of the Fire Department, the Street Department
superintendent and his assistant and the city electrical inspector are due to
receive an additional $240 per year salary each starting Feb. 1. The total
increase will amount to $8,160 per year.
The new salary schedules, if approved, will be as follows:
For policemen and firemen, first year men, $3,840
. . . second year, $3,960
. . . . . . third year and thereafter, $4,200
. . . . . . . . . chiefs, $5,160
. . . . . . . . . . . . assistant chiefs, $4,560
. street superintendent, $5,160
. . assistant, $4,360
. . . electrical superintendent, $3,480
INFLATION ADJUSTER:
$1000 in 1956 = $10, 235 today (2021)
02 29 KENNETH CEITHAMER
Watertown’s newest
police officer, Kenneth Ceithamer, will begin his duties on March 1, going on
the night shift, it was announced today by Police Chief Herbert F. Vehlow. The addition of this the 17th man to the force,
will make possible a shift in the police lineup. Under it, Sgt. Clarence Tessmann will be
assigned to the day shift starting March 1.
He is taking a voluntary demotion to patrolman to get the daytime
assignment. Officer Earl Ebert will be
assigned to a late night shift as a result of the change. Resigned Sept. 15, 1967
AUTO SAFETY CHECKS
Summer 
Otto Lierman, mechanic, Officer Melvin Wendt, Mrs.
John Miller, driver
1957
02 07 Chief of Police gets Private Office
With the remodeling of the old
cell block in the City Hall jail about to begin, Chief of Police Herbert F.
Vehlow will for the first time have his own private office in the Police Department
quarters. Work on the remodeling will be
done by William F. Bloedorn who was awarded the contract on a bid by the City
Council. It calls for a $1,200
expenditure. The plans call for a
partition to be constructed, topped by a false ceiling with a deep cabinet at
the west end of the cell block portion.
A new doorway will be cut into the present west wall of the police
quarters main office, leading into the new office of the chief.
12 17 Richard
Reynolds,
patrolman; Gordon Gerth, sergeant
Richard Reynolds, 24, of 461 South Concord Avenue,
last night was named to the position of patrolman on the Watertown Police
Department effective Jan. 1, 1958.
He will fill the newly created position of an extra patrolman recently
authorized by the City Council. The
appointment was made by the Board of Police and Fire Commissioners. Reynolds has been working part-time on the
department. The board also approved the
promotion of Officer Gordon Gerth to the rank of sergeant in the Police Department. WDT
In January 1958, Richard Reynolds, age 24, was hired as a patrolman of
the Watertown Police Department. Herbert
Vehlow was then chief of police, having joined the department in 1940, and
served as chief from 1955 to 1966.
According to the 1958 newspaper item, Vehlow added a comment when he
announced the addition of a patrolman to the police force. "That one will make a good
officer," Vehlow said. WDT
article 03 20 1982
-- -- BILL
CONNOR JOINED AUXILIARY POLICE FORCE
Bill Connor joined the Watertown Auxiliary Police force in
1957, serving 52 years, the last 30 as captain.
Then Chief Charles McGee presented Bill with the Watertown Police
Department Exemplary Service Award for 50 years of selfless and dedicated
service to the citizens of Watertown and the Watertown Police Department, and
on retirement received a plaque at Riverfest from Chief Tim Roets on Aug. 9,
2009.
1958
06 12 ENFORCEMENT OF BICYCLE CODE
Department
personnel, c1958
10 15 CHIEF
VEHLOW WITH BOY SCOUTS
1959
July LOUIS
KOHLS
1960
03 09 JAN RICKERMAN
Jan D. Rickerman, of 508 Carl Schurz Drive, will
begin his duties as a patrolman on the Watertown Police Department next week,
April 16, following his recent appointment by the board of police and fire commissioners. Mr.
Rickerman has been an insurance representative here for the Northwestern
National Life Insurance Co. He is a
native of the Farmington area but has lived here most of his life. He is married and the father of two sons.
06 17 WATERTOWN CIVIC CENTER, Police Dept station
would be part of plan
A plan which, if carried
out, will take care of a new fire station, new police station, the post office
building, and also provide different quarters for the recreation department
will be presented to the city council at its meeting tonight. It will be offered by the City Plan
Commission, which has been delegated by the council to come up with some
possible sites for a new post office building.
The commission's suggestions were informally presented to the city council
yesterday afternoon when the council held its committee session. No details of the plan were revealed at the
city hall today, but it is understood that the plan encompasses a Watertown
Civic Center which would include most of the square block bordered by Madison
and Jones Streets, and North First and North Second Streets. WDT
09 14 RADAR
Radar is the newest device which the Watertown Police Department has
acquired to nab unwary motorists who exceed the speed limit. The equipment
replaces the electric timer which the department had used for the last couple
of years. In using the timer equipment, two lines were placed across the road.
In the radar equipment, a two-pronged device is attached to the side of the
squad car7The device shoots a beam for at least three blocks. As soon as a car comes
in range of the beam, the speed of the vehicle is noted on a speedometer, a
black box on top of the hood of the car. Other equipment is placed in the rear
seat of the squad car. The equipment, which cost nearly $1,100, was placed in
operation about 10 days ago. WDT
-- -- MEMBERS OF THE
AUXILIARY POLICE
-- -- TURNER HALL OFFERED TO CITY FOR POLICE & FIRE STATION
City Assessor Note: 1960-61, Turner Hall offered to city for police
& fire station, $75,000
1960
Jan CAUGHT IN THE ACT
Officer
Leonard Braunschweig feeding the ducks at Tivoli island
c.1960
Feb OFFICER MELVIN WENDT
On
patrol. 609 N. Water St.
CAR SAFETY CHECKS
Officer
Melvin Wendt, mechanic Carl Raue, Watertown citizen
Watertown Police
and mechanics from different garages perform auto safety checks on Main in
front of Recreation building.
1961
02 18 PLANS FOR A NEW FIRE AND POLICE STATION
On block then
housing the recreation building had two
strikes against it. WDT
03 03 SUB-STANDARD CONDITION OF POLICE AND JAIL QUARTERS
The city council which is currently involved in a long standing hassle
over plans to provide new police department and jail facilities got another
warning - a stern one and one that may well be final - from the state last
night relative to the present and long-standing sub-standard condition of
police department and jail quarters housed in the city hall - the same space
and quarters the department has been forced to occupy since the present city
hall was built in 1884. Last night's
warning, by letter and signed by V.A. Verhulst, representing the division of
corrections, Wisconsin State Department of Public Welfare, was the latest in a
series of proddings by the state that the city do something to clear up the jail issue without further
delay. WDT
03 21 PROPOSITION
ON NEW POLICE AND FIRE BUILDING
With only one more regular meeting remaining for
the present city council and with the deadline for action on the proposed and
long-argued and hotly debated question of a new police and fire department
building running out, the issue now will go over into the new administration
which is expected to have its share of headaches before it can resolve the
proposition one way or another. At last
night’s meeting of the council, an attempt was made to approve a plan calling
for a new financing venture but it lost 4 to 2.
Under the original plan, the structure, also known as the safety
building, was to be financed with a $400,000 bond issue. The new plan, contained in a resolution which
was introduced last night, would have divided the financing — 50 per cent
through a bond issue and the other 50 per cent by means of a ten year loan
negotiated through Watertown banks. The
banks had agreed to this plan in the event it was adopted. WDT
04 14 LAW
ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS PROJECT TRAINING SCHOOL
Melvin Wendt
certificate
Practical aspects of burglary
investifation
05 11 State of Wisconsin
through waiting for the city to bring city hall jail quarters up to
standard.
06 28 Old post office bldg proposed as police
headquarters. WDT
1962
ALFRED KRAHN
Memorial Park Site for New City Hall
Edward H. Dusowsky elected commander of American
Legion Post
June OFFICER BRAUNSCHWEIG CHECKS UP ON HIS
NIECES
12 15 WALKIE-TALKIE CONSIDERED
The Watertown Police Department may get its first
walkie-talkie after the first of the year.
At the present time there remains as a surplus in the police department
budget fund the sum of $983 which could be used for such equipment, estimated
to cost slightly over $700 to get the new service started. However, members of the common council and
Mayor Robert P. White said they feel that this should not be used just because
it looms as a surplus at the end of the year, that using it for the equipment
would set a precedent that might result in similar requests to spend surplus
funds by other departments at or near the end of the year.
1963
AL LINDE AND HERB
VEHLOW
Al Linde and Herb Vehlow, Fire and Police
Chiefs, at 1963 ground-breaking.
August POLICE CALLED FOR SKUNK TRAPPED AT HOME
OF GB LEWIS PRESIDENT
Home of GB Lewis
president (Gordon and Hazel Frater, 228 Elizabeth St)
From August 1963 company newsletter
/ RE: Gordon and Hazel Frater
Much has been written about our business and now comes a story
"HOW THE BOSS ALMOST GOT THE BUSINESS"
It all came about because there is a basement window well right near the
front door of the last house on the South side of Elizabeth Street, next to the
river. On return from church on Sunday,
the boss’ wife gave a gasp, pulled him through the front door, and quickly
slammed it.
Then came the period of trying to solve quite a bad problem. How do you get rid of a skunk that apparently
fell in the window well and couldn’t jump out?
One thing was learned, don’t call the members of the Conservation Club
for information on Sunday, because they are all out conserving.
As a last resort call the Police Department because they are always on
the job, and they advised, "Don’t shoot the animal, because it will have
the last word before it dies. You might
try cyanide gas, but the drug stores are all closed. Anyway, it isn't safe to use cyanide unless
you know how. One of the firemen knows
how, but he is sick in the hospital," and finally, "You might try
putting a board down and maybe the skunk will leave during the night.”
Imagine being a back door Johnny all day Sunday because your front door
is under armed guard.
On the advice of the Police Department, a board was prepared with nice
climbing cleats on it to make it easy for the skunk to exit. Now if you think you can slide a board over the
edge of a metal window well without a sound, just forget it. There was a sound, the skunk moved fast and
so did the boss (around the corner of the house).
Thank goodness the skunk was down in a hole and shoots
horizontally. Incidentally, this story
is on the level, even if the climbing board was on a slant.
During the night the skunk left, probably because he or she didn't like
the odor around the place.
The odor still remains to prove that the Watertown Police Department are
real helpful, even if they can’t foretell everything that will happen.
1964
04 21 LOCAL SCHOOL SAFETY PATROLS
Lt. Alfred Krahn of the Watertown Police Department told the Watertown Safety
Council last night at the Legion Green Bowl how the city saves $36,000 from its
budget every year. Local School Safety
Patrols, protecting crossings near all elementary schools accomplish this. These school children, conscientiously doing
their volunteer jobs every school day, in good weather or bad, have never had
an accident occur while they were on duty, the officer said. WDT
1965
05 16 SCHOOL SAFETY PATROL TO
WISCONSIN DELLS
Police officials and the Watertown Safety Council are making final preparations
to send the members of the Watertown School Safety Patrol to the 22nd annual
Wisconsin Congress of School Safety Patrols at Wisconsin Dells, following
receipt this morning of the program that is being planned for the more than
3,000 young people and chaperones who will attend from all parts of the
state. Through the efforts of the safety
council and an appropriation from the common council, a fund was raised this
year to send the membership of the patrol here to the gathering. This is the first time this has been done. In
previous years only those students who could pay or had their fee paid were in
attendance. WDT
11 24 CHIEF VEHLOW
RESIGNS
Herbert F. Vehlow, chief of police of Watertown, has submitted his
resignation and has asked that it take effect with his retirement on Jan.
4. Chief Vehlow, who resides at 310 East
Water Street, was absent from his desk yesterday because of illness. His resignation was prompted by reasons of
health, since he is subject to a mild heart condition. WDT
12 11 PROCEDURE IN SELECTING
NEXT CHIEF
The board of police and fire commissioners will meet next Monday evening
to take up the matter of procedure in selecting the next chief of police of
Watertown. The meeting is tentatively
scheduled for 4:30 p.m. The board, it
was learned, does not intend to act hastily and it will be some time next year
before a successor to Chief Herbert F. Vehlow is selected. WDT
1966
01 20 CHIEF POSITION VACANT
Watertown’s position of chief of police was vacant today following the
effective date of Chief Herbert F. Vehlow’s resignation yesterday. He announced his retirement some weeks ago
upon advice of his physician. The board
of police and fire commissioners will meet on Feb. 7 to check on the list of
applications filed for consideration as appointees. Applications will be received until Feb.
1. At present there are applications from
several members of the department as well as from several other cities, including
Milwaukee and Portage. WDT
02 22 COMMISSIONERS TO SELECT NEW CHIEF
Watertown’s five-member board of police and fire commissioners will
select the city’s new chief of police, now that all interviews with the ten
applicants for the position have been completed. The board consists of Leonard B. (Duke)
Kramp, Seth Perry, Carl V. Kolata, Attorney Paul Hibbard and Frank H.
Kreitzman. The ten men under
consideration include four from out of the city and six from Watertown, all
members of the police department. WDT
02 24 MARLYN K. MANN, NEW CHIEF OF POLICE
M. K. Mann, 43, member of the Watertown Police Department since Aug. 1,
1950, was named Watertown’s new chief of police by the board of police and fire
commissioners. The announcement came at
6:10 p.m. Mr. Mann, who has held the
rank of police sergeant, resides at 207 Clark Street. He was one of six members of the department
who had applied for the appointment and was selected by the five-man commission
following a series of interviews with not only the six Watertown men but four
from out of town who also had filed application. Mr. Mann assumed his new duties today. He replaces Herbert F. Vehlow who retired as
chief on Jan. 24. WDT
02 27 CAPT. PATRICK KUNITZ
RETIREMENT
Capt. Patrick Kunitz, 55, one of Watertown's veteran police officers,
announced shortly after 8 o'clock this morning, upon his arrival at police
headquarters, that he is retiring on pension and that he would make application
to that effect immediately. He has been eligible for retirement for some time.
He has been a police officer here for 26 years. Capt. Kunitz joined the police
force on Jan. 4, 1940, when he was recommended for appointment by the late
chief of police, Albert Quest. He became police sergeant in 1945. WDT
03 01 MORE ON KUNITZ
RETIREMENT
Attempts to have Capt. Patrick Kunitz of the Watertown Police Department
reconsider his announced decision to retire on pension as soon as the pension
board can act on his application have failed and the pension board will meet
next week to take up his request.
Granting of the pension is automatic, since he has the required number
of years to his credit and is in the age bracket to enable him to retire. He is 55. Capt. Kunitz made public his
decision to retire shortly after 8 o’clock yesterday morning upon his arrival
at police headquarters. Later in the day
he sent his formal request to the proper officials, with one copy going to the
office of the mayor and one to the pension board. Capt. Kunitz told the Times in his
announcement yesterday morning that he plans to remain in law enforcement work
after he retires from the police force on pension. WDT
Location
Elks Club, 117 N First St
Police Dept
Photo dated 03 24 1966, 7:24 a.m.
03 15 LOUIS A. KOHLS promoted to
sergeant
04 02 DEPARTMENT
REORGANIZATION
Plans to reorganize the police department were outlined to members of
the common council at their committee meeting last night by Chief M. K.
Mann. Under the new plan, the position
of captain and assistant chief will be abolished and will be replaced by an
officer to be known as inspector of police.
The chief also intends to create two more police lieutenants so that
there will be one lieutenant on each of the work shifts along with a sergeant. WDT
05 01 BOEDER, LEHMANN, AND
WEHNER HIRED
The Watertown Police Dept. has hired three officers, filling the
replacement for Victor Herschi and two newly created positions. The men filling these positions are Ronald W.
Boeder, Ernest E. Lehmann, and Dale R. Wehner.
Boeder has eight years previous experience on the Jefferson County
Sheriff’s Dept. as patrolman. Wehner and
Lehmann will begin work on March 19, at which time they will begin a 400-hour,
10 week recruit training program at Blackhawk Tech in Beloit. WDT
05 10 TESSMANN NAMED POLICE
LIEUTENANT
Clarence A. Tessmann, 910 Clark Street, a member of the Watertown Police
Department since July 1, 1947, has been named police lieutenant, it was
announced by Chief of Police M. K. Mann.
The appointment becomes effective tomorrow. Mr. Tessmann began his service with the
department as a patrolman and served in that capacity until July 15, 1951 when
he was advanced to the rank of sergeant.
On March 1, 1956, he requested a demotion to patrolman in order to assume
daytime duties and that has again been his rank up to now. WDT
05 31 POLICE Lt. HILBERT
EISFELDT <> 1910-1966
Lt. Eisfeldt joined the police department on June 21, 1944 and became a
sergeant on Jan. 1, 1948 but on Nov. 15, 1952 turned in his sergeant's rating
in order to be assigned to daytime duty.
On May 1, 1960 he was again advanced to the rank of sergeant and on
April 15 of this year was promoted to the rank of police lieutenant. Full text
11 04 REYNOLDS TO JUVENILE DIVISION
Richard L. Reynolds, 504 Elm Street, a member of the Watertown Police
Department since Jan. 1, 1958, has assumed his new duties in the juvenile
division of the department, it has been announced by Chief of Police M. K.
Mann. Officer Reynolds will work closely
with Police Inspector Alfred Krahn who has been in charge of juvenile cases
since that division was formed. Chief
Mann said that the number of juvenile cases and juvenile investigations has
increased in recent years to such an extent that another man was needed to help
handle all the cases that come up.
1966-1971
MARLYN K. MANN, Chief of Police
1967
01 11 WATERTOWN MERCHANTS
POLICE
Watertown Merchants Police, a service provided to business places and manufacturing
plants as well as homes, owned and operated by John Novotny, Sr., of 500 South
Third Street, has announced the installation of a new two-way radio system to
insure greater efficiency and maximum rapid service. Besides Mr. Novotny, a retired police
captain, the service employs two full-time and two part-time officers. Three patrol cars, equipped with two-way
radios, can be readily contacted from the base station located in the Novotny
residence. WDT
03 11 KEITH BECKER HIRED
Watertown’s new police officer is Keith A. Becker, 23, of 423 North
Church Street, it was announced by Chief of Police M. K. Mann. The appointment has the approval of the board
of police and fire commissioners. The
new officer, who is single, resides with his mother, Mrs. Helen Becker. He is a graduate of Watertown High School and
has been an employee of the city parks department. He begins his duties as of March 15 but
before being assigned to nighttime duty will undergo two weeks of special
training and briefing to prepare him for the assignment. WDT
06 24 GERTH PROMOTED TO LIEUTENANT DETECTIVE
Lt. Gordon Gerth of the Watertown Police Department
today assumed the rank of lieutenant detective to which he was appointed, Chief
of Police M. K. Mann announced this morning.
He has been a member of the department since Jan. 1, 1946, when he was
named a patrolman on the night shift.
Two years later he was promoted to the rank of sergeant on the 4 p.m. to
midnight shift, in which capacity he served until May 1960 when he resigned
that position to take daytime duty. On
May 15, 1966 he was again promoted to the rank of sergeant on the day shift and
on the first of July of this year he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant.
07 15 KOHLS AND EBERT PROMOTED
Two members of the Watertown Police Department today assumed new titles
as a result of promotions approved by the police and fire commissioners and
Chief of Police M. K. Mann. Sgt. Louis
A. Kohls has been promoted to the rank of
lieutenant on the 4 p.m. to midnight shift.
He joined the department in 1956 and has been instrumental in
establishing the photography division in the department. He replaces Lt. Clarence A. Tessmann who has
been transferred to a lieutenancy on the day shift. Officer Earl R. Ebert, who joined the
department in 1955, has been promoted to the rank of sergeant on the 4 p.m. to
midnight shift. He was transferred to day
shift in 1966 after having worked on the night shift.
07 17 BICYCLES ON MAIN STREET SIDEWALKS
Chief of Police M. K. Mann told the common council last night that plans
are underway to work out a system of coping with the problems raised by youngsters
who are riding bicycles along the sidewalks in Main Street, already congested
because of the Main Street reconstruction project. The chief made his statement in reply to a
question in which the “menace” of the bicycle riders was raised. Mann said that as soon as a policy has been
worked out it will be made public.” We
can’t arrest these youngsters, of course,” the chief said, “but we are working
on a system whereby violators will be warned and their parents notified. Riding privileges may even be taken away if
repeated violations persist.”
09 14 OFFICER CEITHAMER RESIGNATION
Officer Kenneth R. Ceithamer has submitted his resignation from the
Watertown Police Department effective Sept. 15.
Officer Ceithamer's resignation has been accepted by the board of police
and fire commissions. He has been a
member of the Watertown Police Department since March 1, 1956
Prior to joining the department Mr. Ceithamer served three years with
the Oconomowoc Police Department and four years as a military policeman with
the U. S. Army. A native of Watertown,
he is married and the father of five children.
He resides at 708 West Main Street.
12 23 OFFICERS JOHN MEYERS, WILLIAM LUECK, GERALD
ARNDT
Two new police officers will be on the police force starting January
1. They are John A. Meyers, 754 North Water Street, son of Mr. and Mrs.
Lawrence Meyers, and William E. Lueck
of 1215 Randolph Street. Meyers, 23, is a graduate of Watertown High
School. He is a veteran having served in
the Marine Corps for four years and three months. Part of his service time was spent in
Vietnam. His wife is the former Susan
Koshelnick. Lueck, 37, is a life long resident
of Watertown, and was a member of the Wisconsin National Guard unit here for
eight years. He is married to the former
Margaret Hoeffler.
Meyers replaces Gerald C. Arndt,
who submitted his resignation, effective January 1. He will become a full-time employee in the
service department at Warren-Schey.
Arndt had joined the department on April 1, 1966.
1968
01 17 POLICE
CUSHMAN SCOOTERS
Officer Floyd
Miller and Police Chief Mann
Two enclosed Cushman three wheeled motor scooters were
placed in service, to be used in checking parking meters and non-metered
parking areas.
02 09 CITY HALL DEMOLISHED
02 12 METER MAID TO BE ENGAGED
A meter maid is to be engaged
by the police department. At a meeting
of the police and fire commission the commission authorized the acceptance of
applications. Applicants must be at
least 21 years of age. Application forms
can be obtained at the police department.
Deadline for filing of applications is March 1. The police and fire commission will interview
applicants beginning at 7:30 o’clock on March 4 in the Municipal Building.
WATERTOWN'S FIRST METER MAID
Barbara [Donald] Lee Wiese: Employed 04/01/1968 to 03/08/74. Graduate of Oostberg High School and attended
the U of WI-Oshkosh. As meter maid she
patrolled the city's parking meters for improper and overtime parking. Also assumed duties of police matron for
women prisoners.
02 13 WATERTOWN MERCHANTS POLICE ACQUIRED
Watertown Merchants Police,
which had been owned and operated by the late John Novotny, has been acquired by Arnold J. Mueller, who resides
on County Trunk E. Mr. Mueller is now employed
by Hein-Werner at Waukesha. He will
complete his work with this firm this week, after which he will devote full
time to his new business. The same
personnel is being employed by Mr. Mueller. T he Watertown Merchant Police was
established by the late Joseph Stacy.
Following his death, the business was acquired by Mr. Novotny in July of
1956. Mr. Novotny had joined Mr. Stacy in the business on Aug. 1, 1951,
following his retirement from the Watertown police department. He was a captain with the department..
03 23 METER MAID WIESE, OFFICER LAVERN SCHUMANN APPOINTED
Police Chief M. K. Mann today announced two appointments, one of
Watertown’s first meter maid and the other of a new police officer, as
authorized by the board of police and fire commissioners. The meter maid is Barbara Lee Wiese who will begin her duties next Monday morning,
April 1 as will the new officer, Lavern
E. Schumann who replaces Officer William
Lueck who has submitted his resignation effective March 31. He joined the department on Jan. 1. Officer Schumann, who is 22, resides at 608
South Second Street. He will begin his
duties as a patrolman.
04 01 LAVERN E. SCHUMANN
Patrolman Schumann, 22, began
duties as a patrolman, replacing Officer William
E. Lueck who submitted his resignation effective March 31. He joined the department on Jan. 1. He was a graduate of Watertown High School, a
veteran of Vietnam, having served with the U. S. Army as infantry team leader
and grenadier. [Wedding of] [Profile
of, WDTimes]
04 25 SAFETY INSTRUCTION
Officer believed to be Floyd Miller
05 16 RECIPROCAL AGREEMENTS IN CASES OF
EMERGENCY
To insure the
greatest possible protection for life and properties in cases of emergency, the
common council at its meeting Tuesday night will take up a resolution which
will permit local law enforcement authority,
as vested in the chief of police, to enter into reciprocal agreements with
counties and other municipalities to provide mutual assistance in the event of
emergencies which are of such magnitude that the law enforcement agency of one
particular municipality or county could find it impossible to handle. The resolution provides that the chief of
police (M. K. Mann) be authorized and directed to negotiate with the chiefs of
police and the sheriffs of other municipalities and counties as he may deem
advisable.
06 22 HELMETS REQUIRED
The Watertown Police
Department today called attention to the new law which goes into effect July 1
under which all motorcyclists are required to wear protective headgear. Helmets must meet specific requirements under the law and are to be strictly enforced. Football helmets are ruled out since they do
not meet state standards. So also are
old army helmets, police said. Neither
was designed to protect the skull of a cyclist who has just been pitched off
his motorcycle.
07 01 BRAUNSCHWEIG REPLACES GERTH
Gerth 
Braunschweig
Patrolman
Leonard Braunschweig, a member of
the department since Jan 2, 1942, appointed sergeant, replacing Gordon Gerth on the day shift. Gerth appointed lieutenant, replacing the late
Lt. Herbert C. Eisfeldt
08 27 JAIL PASSES INSPECTION
Watertown’s jail has
been given a clean bill of health following the latest routine inspection by
the Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Corrections, State of
Wisconsin. The inspection was made Aug.
20 and today Chief of Police M. K. Mann received a letter giving the
results. The letter, signed by Vern A.
Verhuist, states that the “Watertown jail, as usual, was found to be excellent
in regard to cleanliness, sanitation and appearance and given routine and
regular cleaning and care procedures.
Nov OFFICER HENRY LEHMANN
LETTER OF
THANKS, from the Chief
12 19 SCHOOL CROSSING GUARDS
The Watertown Police
Department has 19 school crossing guards employed for duty at the four public
grade schools in Watertown. There are 16
posts in the city. Following are the
school crossing guards: Robert W. Backhaus, Norma R. Beatty, Mary L. Bedford,
Beverley J. Dehnert, Joseph F. Fehlen, Roy E. Godfroy, Phyllis R. Guetzlaff,
Emil J. Jacobson, Delores M. Klug, Evelyn L. McFarland, Janet L. Meyer, Rita C.
Muir, Sarah Pratt, Gerhard Saniter, Lester J. Schroeder, Raymond M. Voigt,
Dorothy Wallace. Substitute guards are James R. Reynolds and Mary L. Thauer.
1969
01 10 EUGENE GERSTNER / WILLIAM LAMBERTON
Patrolman
Lamberton began his duties as a patrolman on Sept. 16, 1968. He has been accepted as a drivers license
Examiner I Trainee with the Wisconsin Motor Vehicle Department.
02 05 GERTH RECEIVED THE FIRST JAYCEE AWARD
Lt. Det. Gordon Gerth received
the first Jaycee meritorious service award presented to a Watertown policeman. The award was presented by William O’Brien,
president of the Watertown Jaycees.
Gerth was selected for the award because of his many years of
outstanding service to the Watertown Police Department. Police Chief M. K. Mann made the selection of
the officer to be honored by the Jaycees.
Inspector Alfred Krahn spoke on behalf of Gerth on the achievements he
has recorded with the police department.
02 16 MOTOR BOAT FOR PATROL OF ROCK RIVER
Chief of Police M. K. Mann last
night urged the City Council to acquire a 17 1/2 foot motor boat for the patrol
of Rock River.
He said the estimated cost of
the boat is $3,000, with this cost to be covered by the State Department of
Natural Resources over a period of eight years.
The state department, Mann
said, will pay for 12 1/2 per cent depreciation each year.
The department, he said, also
will cover many other costs. He said it
will take care of 75 per cent of operation costs, and 100 per cent of an
officer’s salary while the boat is engaged in patrol work.
The salary of officers,
however, will not be paid while a search is underway in the river for possible
victims of drownings.
The department also will pay 50
per cent of the cost of life jackets, etc.
03 05 LETTER OF APPRECIATION FROM MADISON MAYOR
The Watertown Police Department
received a letter of appreciation from Otto Festge, mayor of the city of
Madison, for the department’s assistance during the student strike at the University
of Wisconsin.
Festge told Chief M. K. Mann to
feel free to call on the city of Madison for any help Watertown would need.
The letter follows:
Chief M. K. Mann
Watertown Police Department
Dear Chief Mann,
As mayor of the city of
Madison, I would like to express my personal appreciation and the appreciation
of every resident of this community for the assistance that you gave the
Madison Police Department during the. recent student strike at the University of
Wisconsin. I know that there were trying
situations, however I received many compliments from persons on and off campus
indicating the splendid manner in which all law enforcement officers conducted
themselves.
I am sure that in many
instances a great deal of restraint was necessary. We very deeply appreciated the help that you
gave to the city of Madison in this instance.
We hope that if there is ever a
time the city of Madison can be of help to you or the members of your
department or to your city, you will feel free to call upon us. While we sincerely hope that you will never
experience a situation for you to call on us, we want you to understand that we
stand ready and willing anytime that you find it necessary to do so.
Sincerely yours,
Otto Festge,
Mayor.
04 22 ‘GO-GO” CART
Used by
"Meter Maid" of the police department to enforce parking meter time;
fines were significant revenue stream for the city.
04 28 EARL EBERT (1921-1969)
Earl R. Ebert, 47, 1302 Hutson
Dr., a member of the Watertown Police Department, passed away this morning at
the Watertown Memorial Hospital following a brief illness. Born Sept. 22, 1921, in Watertown, son of Mr.
and Mrs. John Ebert. Burial in Glenview
Memorial Gardens, Ixonia.
06 10 SERGEANT BRAUNSCHWEIG AND WIFE / 40th wedding
anniversary
Mr.
and Mrs. Leonard Braunschweig, 916 Carol Street, celebrate their 40th wedding
anniversary on June 15. Mr. Braunschweig
and the former Evelyn Ziebell were married June 15, 1929, in St. John's
Lutheran Church in Waterloo.
Braunschweig joined the Watertown Police Department in January of
1942. He is a sergeant.
07 26 KREBS NAMED PATROLMAN
Dale
W. Krebs, 23. has been named a patrolman for the Watertown Police
Department. He will begin his duties on
Monday, July 28. He replaces the late
Sgt. Earl Ebert. Krebs successfully passed
the Police and Fire Commission written and oral examinations. He is a veteran of the United States Navy,
having served from 1963 through 1966. He
had been employed at the Waupun State Prison.
He recently married the former Faye Buss. He is the son of the late
Percy Krebs and Lorraine Krebs.
Resigned
in 1972
09 29 TERRY L. TRIANA
Terry L. Triana, newly appointed police officer, has
begun his duties today. Having
successfully passed the oral and written examinations conducted by the
Watertown Police and Fire Commission.
Triana was appointed by the commission as the replacement of Sergeant
Leonard Braunschweig who will retire from the department Oct. 31. Comments
on Facebook
10 31 SERGEANT BRAUNSCHWEIG RETIREMENT
Sergeant
Leonard Braunschweig of the Watertown Police Department today is retiring after
nearly 28 years of service.
Sgt. Braunschweig,
64, was appointed to the department on Jan. 2, 1942 when he was made a
patrolman on the night shift where he remained until May 23, 1945 when he moved
to day shift. On July 1, 1966 he was
promoted to the rank of sergeant, the rank he presently holds.
Sgt.
Braunschweig, in his official duties with the public, came into contact with
persons from all walks of life, and gained the respect of virtually all of
them. He was regarded as a friend,
especially by the children of the community.
He was
known to be fair in listening to their problems, and in counseling them.
Officer
Braunschweig merited the respect of his fellow officers and his superiors. Chief of Police M. K. Mann paid a personal
tribute to Sgt. Braunschweig, designating him as an outstanding officer under
his command.
11 12 FIVE-WEEK COURSE IN FIRST AID AT THE
VOCATIONAL SCHOOL
Watertown police and auxiliary police
officers participated. Dale Krebs,
Robert Kube, William Seefeldt, (instructor) Terry Triana and Lavern Schumann.
11 16 SERGEANT BRAUNSCHWEIG RETIREMENT PARTY
The 28-year veteran was the guest of
honor at his retirement party.
1960s, late
DEPARTMENT BASEBALL
TEAM
1970
05
30 ALFRED “MICKEY”
KRAHN RETIRES
06 03 ALFRED “MICKEY”
KRAHN, JAYCEE AWARD
Inspector
Alfred Krahn of the Watertown Police Department received an award of
appreciation from the Watertown Jaycees.
Al LaBelle, president of the Jaycees, Debbie Knief, who is Miss
Watertown, and Mrs. Krahn.
06 09 KIWANIS DONATION OF
DRUG DETECTION KIT
Erich
Bartell, Kiwanis Lieutenant Governor and Kiwanian John Himrich. Sergeant Richard Reynolds of the Police
Department.
06 15 ALFRED “MICKEY” KRAHN HONORED AFTER
RETIREMENT
Alfred
"Mickey" Krahn mentioned
recently that police work was difficult before the days of walkie talkies and
communication with headquarters. Officers
were more or less on their own. He
recalled a store robbery, he and his partner had been given a good description
of the "stranger in town," and they started from the store to look
for him. They surmised the culprit might
try to get out of town on a train scheduled to leave within a few minutes. The officers went to the depot, convinced the
engineer to hold the train while they made a quick search. Krahn started at one end, his partner at the
other. They came upon the guilty one
sitting in a double seat, happily counting his money which was spread out in
little piles in the seat opposite. WDT article 03 20 1982
KRAHN
CITIZENSHIP AWARD
established
06 15 OFFICERS TESSMANN, REYNOLDS & BORTH
Lieutenant
Clarence Tessmann promoted to the rank of inspector. Tessmann joined the department on July 1, 1947,
and held the rank of lieutenant since May 15, 1966. Sergeant Richard Reynolds promoted to the
rank of lieutenant. Will head the
juvenile division to the vacancy created by retirement of officer Krahn. Officer Borth, age 25, appointed to begin
duties.
CROSS
REFERENCE: LYLE J. BORTH, 1945-2020
06 23
2020 - Lyle J. Borth, 75, of Watertown, passed away Thursday, June 18, 2020 at
UW Hospital in Madison. Lyle, known as
“Butch” by family and friends, was born May 29, 1945 in Watertown. He was the son of Clarence and LaVerna
(Huebner) Borth.
Lyle
graduated from Watertown High School in 1963.
He married Karen Schultz on September 15, 1973 at Trinity Lutheran
Church in Watertown.
Lyle
was a police officer for 30 years, followed by 13 years as a police
dispatcher. Lyle is survived by his wife
of 46 years, Karen of Watertown; children, Laura (Perry) Pawelka of Middleton,
Christopher Borth of Las Vegas, and Debbie Borth of Madison; granddaughter,
Finley Pawelka; twin brother, Dale (Karla) Borth; sisters, Audrey (Art)
Krueger, and Darlene (Harold) Dopke; as well as nieces, nephews, other
relatives, and many friends. Lyle is preceded in death by his parents.
In
lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family to be used to sponsor
a K9 police dog in Butch’s honor.
06 17 BIKE LICENSE RENEWALS
Safety reflector tape placed on
bicycles when riders apply for new licenses.
Tom Murray, senior vice-commander of the local VFW post in charge of the
reflector tape program, places the tape on Nancy Kressin's bicycle while
Lieutenant Richard Reynolds of the Watertown Police Department records license
data.
08
12 CIVIL DEFENSE DISASTER
DRILL
Mock
explosion at Lindberg Hevi-Duty resulted in simulated injuries to 30 young
persons, treated at the scene and then transported to Watertown Memorial
Hospital.
1971
03 09 DEATH OF CHIEF MARLYN MANN. Inspector Clarence Tessmann
appointed temp chief.
1971-1979
GERALD P. DONOVAN, Chief of Police
06 29
1971 
Gerald P. Donovan of Sparta has been named Chief of
the Watertown Police Department and will begin his new duties July 19. Succeeds Marlyn Mann; during the interim
period Inspector Clarence Tessmann was acting Chief of Police.
Donovan,
42, has an extensive police background.
He was appointed patrolman with the city of Milwaukee department on
April 6, 1953. He was assigned at that
time to the uniform division and remained there for six years. In February of 1959 he was promoted to the
detective bureau and was assigned to a general duty squad, investigating all
major crimes. On Jan 1, 1963 he was
appointed Chief of Police for the city of Sparta, the position he held until
accepting the post in Watertown. Donovan
is a graduate of Pius XI high school of Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Police
Department training school.
Donovan,
his wife, and eight children plan to move to Watertown in the near future. A ninth child, Tim, 21 was married Saturday
and will continue to live in Sparta, where he is deputy sheriff on Monroe
County.
c.1971
BOB WEBSTER, Communications Room, New City Hall
1972
Interior views of department
facilities
01 18 DALE KREBS RESIGNATION
Patrolman
Dale Krebs, a member of the department for 2 1/2 years, resigned to accept a
position with Klutterman Office Equipment.
Joined the force on July 14, 1969.
02 15 CLARENCE TESSMANN RETIREMENT
Clarence Tessmann, 918 Clark Street, a member of the
department for over 24 years, will retire on Feb. 15. Tessmann holds the position of police
inspector. He joined the force on July
1, 1947 as a patrolman and was appointed to the position of sergeant on July
15, 1951, and on May 15, 1966 he was named Lieutenant. Upon the retirement of Alfred Krahn on July
15, 1970, Tessmann was elevated to the position of inspector. After the death of Chief of Police M. K.
Mann, Tessmann was named to the position of Acting Chief of Police and remained
in that capacity until the new chief, Gerald Donovan, was selected.
02 16 THREE OFFICERS PROMOTED
Three veteran officers were promoted by Chief of
Police Donovan. They are Lieutenant
Richards Reynolds to the position of Inspector, Sergeant Edward Dusowsky to
Lieutenant, and officer Floyd Miller to Sergeant. All three promotions effective March 1. Inspector Reynolds was appointed as a
patrolman on Jan. 1, 1958, was promoted to Sergeant on June 1, 1967 and to
Lieutenant on Jan. 23, 1970. Dusowsky
was appointed patrolman on June 1, 1948 and promoted to Sergeant on Jan. 23,
1970. Miller was appointed patrolman on
April 16, 1951.
1973
02 02 T.I.M.E. COMPUTER NETWORK
A new and more efficient teletype system has been
installed and connects the local department with state and national law
enforcement agencies through a massive computer system. The new system is called TIME for Transaction
Information for Management of
Enforcement and represents a vast improvement in law enforcement for the city.
11 06 KNIGHT RESIGNATIONATION
Officer
David Knight has resigned to accept a similar position with the Jefferson
County Sheriff’s Department and Orval Quamme, 33, Madison, has accepted a
position with the department.
Knight,
who resigned effective Monday, began his employment with the department on Feb.
14, 1972, and has been employed as a patrolman since that time.
Quamme
will begin his employment on Nov. 11. He
is presently employed by the University of Wisconsin Security in Madison and
was previously employed with the Madison Police Department for a period of six
years. Quamme is married and has five
children.
-- -- DETECTIVE BRUCE SANITER
Patrolman Bruce Saniter has been promoted to the
rank of Detective. Detective Saniter is
the juvenile officer of the department and will continue in the capacity.
1974
OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT AS OF
5/20/74
|
NAME |
RANK |
APPOINTED |
DOB |
|
Donovan,
Gerald P. |
Chief |
7/19/1971 |
1/11/1929 |
|
Reynolds,
Richard L. |
Inspector |
1/2/1958 |
05/26/1933 |
|
Gerth,
Gordon |
Lieutenant |
1/1/1946 |
3/1/1922 |
|
Wendt,
Melvin F. |
Lieutenant |
1/1/1947 |
3/15/1922 |
|
Dusowsky,
Edward |
Lieutenant |
6/1/1948 |
4/3/1920 |
|
Kohls,
Louis A. |
Lieutenant |
1/15/1956 |
3/22/1916 |
|
Crandall,
John W. |
Sergeant |
3/8/1951 |
11/4/1922 |
|
Miller,
Floyd H. |
Sergeant |
4/16/1951 |
7/25/1921 |
|
Webster,
Robert W. |
Sergeant |
6/16/1960 |
7/20/1936 |
|
Saniter,
Bruce A. |
Detective |
5/1/1966 |
12/19/1944 |
|
Shaiken,
Lyle A. |
Patrolman |
4/25/1960 |
1/23/1929 |
|
Lehmann,
Henry H. |
Patrolman |
5/1/1966 |
8/15/1936 |
|
Miller,
Benjamin C. |
Patrolman |
6/15/1966 |
2/27/1935 |
|
Becker,
Keith A. |
Patrolman |
3/15/1967 |
2/26/1943 |
|
Kube,
Robert |
Patrolman |
11/1/1967 |
8/11/1944 |
|
Schumann,
Lavern E. |
Patrolman |
4/1/1968 |
1/19/1946 |
|
Sukow,
Larry J. |
Patrolman |
1/1/1969 |
4/27/1947 |
|
Gerstner,
Eugene A. |
Patrolman |
1/10/1969 |
10/6/1936 |
|
Triana,
Terry L. |
Patrolman |
9/29/1969 |
1/19/1948 |
|
Schultz
Larry H. |
Patrolman |
1/25/1971 |
8/30/1945 |
|
Fredrich,
James H. |
Patrolman |
1/25/1971 |
6/1/1948 |
|
Henning,
Dale T. |
Patrolman |
2/14/1972 |
1/21/1948 |
|
Boeder,
Ronald W. |
Patrolman |
3/5/1973 |
2/15/1944 |
|
Wehner,
Dale R |
Patrolman |
3/19/1973 |
5/22/1947 |
|
Lehmann,
Ernest E. |
Patrolman |
3/19/1973 |
8/5/1948 |
|
Quamme,
Orval |
Patrolman |
11/12/1973 |
6/20/1940 |
|
Schwartz,
Arthur B. |
Patrolman |
5/20/1974 |
12/31/1947 |
|
Wellner,
Richard |
Patrolman |
5/20/1974 |
7/3/1952 |
|
Hodan,
Marjorie J. |
Meter
Maid |
5/13/1974 |
9/3/1927 |
|
Schmidt,
Diane C. |
Secretary |
3/8/1971 |
3/14/1953 |
|
Broeder,
Roger |
-- |
1975 |
-- |
1975
05 13 LOUIS
A. KOHLS (1916-1975), DOD May 12th
Funeral
services for Louis A. Kohls, 59, 821 Richards Avenue, lieutenant of the
Watertown Police force, were held at the Pederson Funeral Home with Rev. John
Hicks of the Watertown Moravian Church officiating. Interment was in the Watertown Moravian
Cemetery. Kohls was dead on arrival at
the Watertown Memorial Hospital following an apparent heart attack. He was born in Watertown March 22, 1916, son
of Mr. and Mrs. Otto Kohls.
He had
been a member of the Watertown Police Force for 19 years, and at the time of
his death held the position of lieutenant.
Appointed to the department on Jan. 15, 1956, promoted to sergeant on
March 15, 1966, and on July 15, 1967, was promoted to rank of lieutenant.
On
Oct. 6, 1940, he married the former Arline Ray at St. Olaf’s Lutheran Church in
Toland. Kohls served with the U.S. Army
and the National Guard. He was a member
of the American Legion, VFW, American Federation of Police, Wisconsin
Professional Policeman’s Association and the National Police Officers Association. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge,
Moose Lodge, Knights of Pythias and the Watertown Moravian Church.
Lt. Kohls was involved in
photography for the police department and also for the Watertown Daily Times. Photography was his hobby and he enjoyed
doing free-lance work. WDT
1975c
Officer
Bob Webster, S Second and Market streets
1977
May OFFICERS SIGN UP FOR FIRST AID COURSE
Officers Henry Lehman, Larry Sukow and Keith
Becker.
BICYCLE SAFETY AND CUB
SCOUTS OF ST. HENRY'S.
Approx 
1978
FIRST WOMEN JOIN POLICE
RESERVE
01 26 
Caroline Fischer and
Barbara Locke
03 03 DUSOWSKY
RETIREMENT
Joined department on June 1, 1948. Replacement as night shift lieutenant is Sgt.
Bruce Saniter.
03 04 SANITER & SUKOW PROMOTIONS
With the retirement of Lieutenant Dusowsky, shift
commander on the midnight to 8 a.m. shift, Sergeant Bruce A. Saniter is
being promoted to the position of lieutenant and will be in charge of the same
shift. Lieutenant Saniter joined the
department on May 1, 1966. He was
promoted to the position of detective on July 1, 1973 and served as a detective
in the juvenile area until April 19, 1977, when he was promoted to uniform
sergeant and assigned duty on the midnight shift.
Officer
Larry Sukow is being promoted to the rank of sergeant and
assigned to the midnight to 8 a.m. shift.
Sergeant Sukow joined the department on Jan. 1, 1969j and at the present
time is assigned to the day shift, patrol duty.
12 18 “My
daddy’s a policeman . . . SO I HAVE TO BE GOOD”
< set of 5 images
Christmas party held for the children of the
Watertown policemen. Party was sponsored
annually by the wives of the policemen.
1979
06 02 PERSONNEL
CHANGES
Three personnel changes announced. Lieutenant Bruce Saniter, a 13 year
veteran of the department, has resigned, effective June 15. He has accepted the position of director of
building and grounds for the Watertown Unified School District. Lieutenant John Crandall has retired
after 28 years of service and Sergeant Lavern Schumann has been promoted
to the position of lieutenant.
06 26 CRANDALL
RETIREMENT
Lieutenant John Crandall was honored on his retirement after 28
years on the department. A retirement
dinner and party was held in his honor at the Watertown Elks Club.
Among those present were Captain Patrick Kunitz, a 28 year veteran; Lieutenant
Melvin Wendt, 31 years; Lieutenant Crandall, Inspector and Acting Chief
Clarence Tessmann, 25 years; Sergeant Leonard Braunschweig, 28 years; and
Inspector Alfred Krahn, 28 years. Kunitz
retired in 1966, Braunschweig in 1969, Krahn in 1970, Tessmann in 1972, and
Wendt in 1977.
1980-1993
RICHARD L. REYNOLDS, Chief of Police, 1980-1993
1980
01 31 REYNOLDS IN NEW CHIEF
Inspector
Richard Reynolds, a 22 year veteran of the Watertown Police Department, is the
new Chief of Police. Reynolds, 46,
assumed his new duties this morning. The
new chief succeeds Gerald Donovan, who resigned effective Jan. 1.
Reynolds
is a 1952 graduate of the Baraboo high school and was employed by a Butler excavating
company before beginning his 22 year career in police work.
He was
a special traffic officer under Chief of Police Herbert Vehlow from 1956 until
Jan. 1, 1958, when he accepted a full-time appointment as an officer on the
nigh shift.
Reynolds
was appointed to the juvenile division in November of 1966 and was appointed
sergeant on June 1, 1967 by Chief M. K. Mann.
He was appointed lieutenant and was assigned to the juvenile division on
June 15, 1970, and on March 1, 1972 he was appointed to the position of
inspector by Vhief Donovan.
Chief
Reynolds has completed courses in personal management, police officer
evaluation and employment relations through the University of Wisconsin
Extension, is past president and life member of the Wisconsin Juvenile Officers
Association and has memberships in the Dodge County Chiefs and Sheriffs
Association and the Jefferson County Chiefs and Sheriffs Association.
Reynolds
and his wife Shirlee reside at 218 East Water Street. They have four children. They are Michael, a graduate of the United
States Air Force Academy and a lieutenant in the Air Force, Mrs. David Thrams
of Milwaukee, Tom Reynolds of Watertown and Timothy, who is a senor at
Watertown High School
02 10 FIVE PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCED
Lieut.
Larry Sukow to inspector of police.
Sukow was appointed patrolman on Jan 2, 1969, sergeant on March 3, 1976
and lieutenant on June 16, 1979.
Sergeant
Michael Besel of position of lieutenant.
He was appointed patrolman on Aug 1, 1977 and sergeant on July 25, 1979.
Sergeant
Orval Quamme transferred to the detective bureau as a detective. He was appointed patrolman on Nov. 12, 1973
and to the position of sergeant on July 25, 1979.
Officer
Dale Weber to the position of sergeant.
He was appointed patrolman on March 19, 1973.
Officer
Thomas Killmon to the position of sergeant.
He was appointed patrolman of Oct. 13, 1975
09 28 DALE HENNING: ARTIST I AND II TRAINING
Police
Chief Richard L. Reynolds announced that Officer Dale Henning has successfully
completed the Artist I and II Training courses at the Waukesha County Technical
Institute. The two week training course
covered training and instruction in drawing suspects from descriptions provided
by victims and witnesses. With the
completion of this training by Officer Henning, there is now an artist
available within the department to provide these services.
1981
11 05 MICHELLE MANDERS
The
body of missing 2 ˝-year-old Michelle Manders was found on a riverbank in
November 1981. Hers was the fifth in a
series of mysterious disappearances and deaths over seven years. On
this page, you can explore the case, including police documents, suspects,
maps and key events A Journal Sentinel Watchdog Report Is buried in Oak
Hill cemetery.
1982
03 20 DEPARTMENT
STATUS REPORT
Reynolds was
appointed chief of police in 1980. He
reports the department now [1982] has 30 sworn officers with police
authority and six civilian employees.
This year the department is getting its own computer, into which will be
filed the modus operandi of all break-ins and burglaries. This information will be instantly available
in investigative work. WDT article
03 20 1982
08 10 TIMOTHY ROETS JOINED DEPT
Roets joined the department on Aug. 10, 1982, as a
patrolman.
1983
07 29 FLOYD MILLER RETIRES
Sgt. Floyd H. Miller, a member of the Watertown
Police Department for 32 years, will retire July 29. Miller, 61, 1301 Center Street, joined the
department as a patrolman on April 16, 1951.
Miller worked the afternoon shift for a short time when he first joined
the department, then worked the night shift for 19 years. He moved to the day shift 13 years ago, and
was promoted to sergeant on March 1, 1972.
Miller, a lifelong resident of Watertown, said he plans to take it easy
for a while, although he added he might tend bar. He said he tended bar at Charlie Howard’s
tavern on North Fourth Street before joining the police department.
1984
08 08 TIMOTHY ROETS, Jaycee Outstanding Young Law Enforcement Officer
Watertown Police Officer Timothy Roets was named the
Watertown Jaycee Outstanding Young Law Enforcement Officer during River Days
festivities Friday evening. Jaycee
president Ray Wolfram made the presentation to Roets commending him on his
enthusiasm and dedication to police work.
The last law enforcement award made by the Jaycees was in 1968. Roets joined the police force Aug. 10, 1982,
as a patrol officer and is now in the juvenile division. He is especially active in the department's
educational programs. In puppet show
format students in grades kindergarten through sixth see programs on the
hazards of drug abuse, vandalism and shoplifting. The programs are credited with keeping open
lines of communication between the police department and schools.
09 17 LAVERN
SCHUMANN GRADUATES
Police Lieutenant Lavern E. Schumann was one of 250
police officers from around the world to graduate last week from the 138th
session of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy. The degree represents 11 weeks of executive-level
training including coursework in police management, ethics, law, urban police
problems and behavioral sciences.
Schumann joined the Watertown Police Department in 1968 and in 1979 he
was promoted to the rank of sergeant.
Later in the same year he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. WDT
1985
04 29 MICHAEL BESEL OFFERED
POSITION
Jefferson - The Daily Times has
learned Lieutenant Michael Besel of the Watertown Police Department has
been offered the position of chief of police of the City of
Jefferson. Jefferson City Attorney Bruce Freeberg confirmed the
selection of the police and fire commission. The appointment has yet
to gain the formal approval of the Jefferson City Council. However,
the police and fire commission will submit its recommendation of Besel to the
council next month. Besel, 1050 Kiewert Street, has been employed by the
Watertown Police Department for nearly eight years. He was first appointed
to the position of patrolman on Aug. 1, 1977, serving previously as a patrolman
for the City of Butler Police Department.
09 17 APPLICANTS
FOR FIRE CHIEF POSITION
The Watertown Police and Fire Commission has
received letters from 18 applicants for the position of city fire department
chief, the chairman of the panel said today.
The deadline for submitting applications was Saturday and Robert P.
White said others could be accepted later today if postmarked Sept. 14. The city is searching for a new chief to
replace Donald Asmus who is retiring effective Dec. 30. Asmus has been the fire chief for Watertown
since Dec. 1, 1970. Of the 18 candidates,
two are from Watertown and three are from out of state,” White said. It is unclear how many applicants the police
and fire commission will interview, he said, but it will not be the entire
18. WDT
12 19 OFFICERS
WEBSTER AND SCHULTZ HONORED
Officer Robert W. Webster received a ring for
his 25 years of continuous service; Police Chief Richard L. Reynolds; Police
Dept. Christmas party
Officer Larry
Schultz, left, received a lapel pin for his 15 years of service.
1986
01 06 FIRST
FEMALE POLICE OFFICER
The first female police officer began her duties on
Jan. 6, 1986. Miss Marcie Jo Repta is a native of Milwaukee. Repta filled a vacancy created by the
resignation of Mark Neuman. He resigned on Nov. 22 to accept a similar position
in his hometown of Beaver Dam. WDT
07 30 MARK
MEDDAUGH
A West Allis resident, Mark Meddaugh, has been
appointed to the position of patrolman.
Meddaugh will attend recruit training for state certification at
Waukesha County Technical School and upon completion will be assigned to the
midnight to 8 a.m. shift. Appointment is
effective today. The new officer
replaces officer Mark Murphy, who resigned effective July 12 to accept a
position with the Madison Police Department.
Murphy, who also worked the midnight shift, had been with the department
since September 1979. WDT
1987
01 10 1986 CRIME REPORT
The Watertown Police Department cleared a higher
percentage of reported crime in 1986, but several high-priced thefts remain
unsolved. Of the 555 crime reports filed
in Watertown last year, 266 were cleared for a success rate of 47.9
percent. In 1986, Watertown police
investigators cleared 43.8 percent of the reported cases. The type of cases included in the 1986 report
are theft, burglary, assault, stolen vehicle, robbery, sex offense and
murder. Chief of Police Richard Reynolds
Friday was quick to give credit for the increased success to cooperation from
the public and a better trained police staff.
04 14 HONORED FOR SERVICE
Police Chief Reynolds honored three members of his
staff on behalf of the Watertown Professional Police Officers Association. Those honored for their years of service
were: Pat Barry, 10-year pin; Dale
Henning, 15-year pin; and Henry Lehmann, 20-year pin.
08 04 POLICE
AUXILIARY
Police
Auxiliary 15 members
11 12 LEON RUDER
Leon J. Ruder Jr. began his first day today as
patrolman. Ruder, 22, was appointed to fill
the vacancy created by the resignation of Officer Ronald Noe who left effective
Oct. 17 to work for the Verek Corp. in Madison.
12 12 BRUNNER MURDER
Resa Scobie Brunner murder; Matthew Knapp charged WDT full text
article
1989
11 03 PER
CAPITA SPENDING FOR POLICE SERVICE
Watertown’s per capita spending for city police service
is substantially below the state average, according to a survey prepared by the
Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance. According
to the report, Watertown spent $74.55 on police-related expenditures in 1988
for each of its 18,850 residents. The
state average for all state cities and villages with a population of more than
3,000 was $120 per person. Compared with
similar-sized communities, Watertown’s spending also is below the average of
$99 per person for cities and villages with populations of 10,000 to 30,000. Watertown Police Chief Richard Reynolds said
the report seemed to indicate that other communities place a higher priority on
police protection. WDT
1990
03 18 ORVAL
QUAMME TO RUN FOR JEFFERSON COUNTY SHERIFF
Orval Quamme, a lieutenant and shift commander with
the Watertown Police Department, announced his plans to run for Jefferson
County sheriff. Quamme is the first
declared candidate for the position since Sheriff Keith Mueller announced that
he planned to retire at the end of his term in January, ending a career of
nearly 37 years in the sheriff’s department.
Quamme, a 23-year veteran of local law enforcement, believes his
education and experience would be an asset to the sheriff’s department. WDT
04 01 ORVAL
QUAMME NAMED SAILOR OF THE YEAR
Orval Quamme, a lieutenant in the Watertown Police
Department, has been named sailor of the year for 1989 for the Naval Operations
Intelligence Center in Glenview, Ill.
Quamme, 400 Dewey Ave., is a petty officer, first class, for the U.S.
Naval Reserve. He works as an analyst
for naval intelligence. Quamme, who is a
candidate for Jefferson County sheriff, said he was pleased by his selection
for the award. “It’s an honor because
it’s a selection made of only one individual of a unit a year,” he said. “It indicates high recognition by peers as
well as superiors. WDT
04 10 TIM
ENGEL HIRED AS PATROLMAN
Timothy O. Engel hired as a patrolman. Engle and wife, Robyn (Rabbach) reside at 32
Pine Ridge Court, Watertown. Engel
graduated from Watertown High School in 1981, served in the U.S. Marine Corps
for four years and attended Waukesha County Technical school. He will have his recruit training at the
Madison campus of the Madison Area Technical College. WDT
04 10 OFFICER
TIMOTHY R. WAYSTEDT
[same date] Officer Timothy R. Waystedt completed
his police training and has joined the Watertown Police Department. Was hired on Sept. 18 to replace Officer
James Wolf. WDT
06 01 ANDREW
GEE APPOINTED. REPLACES HENRY LEHMANN
Andrew R. Gee has been appointed to the Watertown
Police Department, according to Chief Richard L. Reynolds. Gee will replace Officer Henry Lehmann, who
is retiring after 24 years with the department.
His retirement is effective June 30.
Lehmann, who joined the force on May 1, 1966, was the department’s
photographer. He was assigned to the day
shift. Gee, who will work from 4 p.m. to
midnight, possesses a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice from the
University of Wisconsin-Platteville and has state certification. WDT
June HENRY LEHMAN RETIREMENT
08 09 OFFICER HENRY LEHMANN
HONORED
Members of the Police Department honored Office Henry Lehmann for 24 years
of service at a dinner on July 29 at the Elias Inn. Lehmann, who retired effective June 30,
received a plaque from his fellow officers and an honorary life membership from
the Wisconsin Policeman’s Protective Association.
08 15 NEW SPACE FOR DEPARTMENT
12 16 SERVICE AWARDS
The
Watertown Professional Police Association presented service awards at a banquet
dinner Sunday at the Elias Inn. Tom
Killmon received a 15-year award, Sherry Ulrey a 10-year award, Dale Wehner, 15
years and Terry Triana, 20 years.
12 31 BOB WEBSTER RETIREMENT
1991
01 06 ROETS PROMOTED TO LIEUTENANT
Lt. Timothy
Roets
Sgt. Timothy Roets has been promoted to
lieutenant on the Watertown Police Department by Police Chief Richard
Reynolds. Roets will be filling a
vacancy created by the departure of Lt. Orval Quamme, who took the oath of
office as Jefferson County sheriff this morning. Roets will be assigned to the midnight to 8
a.m. shift to replace Lt. Thomas Killmon, who will be transferred to the 4 p.m.
to midnight shift. Roets joined the
department on Aug. 10, 1982, as a patrolman.
He was promoted to sergeant detective on Jan. 16, 1985. WDT
1992
911 DISPATCH CENTER
SINGLE CONTACT POINT
The Fire Department
worked with Police Chief Richard Reynolds on the recommendation to make the 911
dispatch center the single contact point for all incoming and outgoing
emergency information. Riedl, Ken, Watertown Fire Department: 1858-2007,
2007, pg 364
06 30 SPEEDING
ON THE BYPASS
No hiding behind billboards, trees or hills, the Watertown
Police Department is aiming for high visibility in a new speed zone on the
city's east side. Trouble is, officials
say, some people just aren't getting the hint.
Police Chief Richard Reynolds said 35 citations have been issued on the
bypass since the department began enforcing the speed limit June 20. Signs posting the 45 mph speed limit were
erected June 16, but Reynolds said only speeding warnings were issued the first
four days. During the warning period,
about 30 motorists were stopped. "As
we anticipated, there have been numerous citations," Reynolds said. "Some people felt there wasn't enough
publicity (about the speed limit change) but there has been quite a bit of
discussion. It is a heavily-marked area
and we're giving as much exposure as we can so word gets out."
07 03 911 DISPATCH CENTER STAFFING
Three additional dispatchers will be hired this
year to staff the city’s 911 emergency telephone, according to a recommendation
from the Watertown Finance Committee.
The committee agreed to the additional dispatchers because two people
are needed to operate the 911 center at a time.
With only four dispatchers currently on staff, the police department has
been forced to take uniformed officers off the street to man the center. “We are not able to have the full complement
of uniformed officers patrolling the street and it’s been difficult to maintain
response time on the 911 calls,” said Mayor Frederick Smith. “It is totally undermining the public safety
effort in the city.” WDT
09 05 TRAFFIC
PATTERNS AND LOITERING
The Watertown Common Council Tuesday backed
plans intended to address two long-time problems in downtown - confusing
traffic patterns and loitering. The
council passed the first readings of five ordinances that city officials hope
will give police greater ability to keep order on Main Street during the
evening hours. Aldermen also adopted
ordinances on their second readings that would restore two-way traffic on the
100 blocks of North and South First streets.
Another set of
ordinances were passed that will require vehicles on Third and Fourth streets
to stop for Market Street. The traffic
changes won't go into effect for about two to three weeks, according to City
Engineer Joseph Radocay. City workers
will need to install no-parking signs, traffic lights and mark lanes before the
changes can take place.
-- -- SERVICE
AWARDS
The Watertown Professional Police Association presented service
awards to members of the department.
Sgt. Terry Krueger, 15 years; Lt. Robert Kube, 25 years, Officer Dale
Henning, 20 years.
1993
-- -- CHIEF REYNOLDS RETIREMENT ANNOUNCED
04 02 POLICE
RESERVE MEMBERS HONORED
Three members of the Watertown Police Reserve have been honored for their years of
dedication to the organization. Melvin
Lange and Captain William T. Connor were honored for 35 years of service and
Donald Kurtz was honored for 25 years of service. The three received certificates of
appreciation from Watertown Police Chief Richard Reynolds and Inspector Larry
Sukow. Reserve officers for this year
include President Doug Clemmons, Vice President James Leslie,
Secretary/Treasurer Dan Adams and board of directors Mark Ritter and Don Petig.
The group is currently under the direction of Reynolds and Sukow is the liaison
officer. Connor serves as captain.
04 05 FORTY-ONE
APPLICANTS FOR CHIEF OF POLICE POSITION
Forty-one applicants
are seeking to become Watertown’s ninth chief of police, according to City
Clerk-Treasurer Michael Hoppenrath.
Richard Reynolds, chief since February 1980, announced his retirement
earlier this year. A 35-year veteran of
the force, his last day in office will be May 21. According to Hoppenrath, 35 of the applicants
for the position are from Wisconsin, including several people currently working
in the police department. The other six
applicants came from Illinois, Minnesota, Colorado, Florida and Virginia. Names of the applicants have not been
released.
05 19 CHIEF’S
AIM WAS HELPING PEOPLE
When asked to recount
some of the more sensationalistic eases of his 35-year law enforcement career, Richard Reynolds politely
declines. Instead, the retiring police
chief prefers to remember his day-to-day contact with citizens, especially
young people, as he served on the Watertown Police Deportment.
Reynolds’ commitment to
his own family led him to his law-enforcement career, which will conclude with
his retirement starting Friday, just prior to his 60th birthday on May 26. Reynolds was born in Milwaukee, but he found
himself living in states as far away as Texas due to his father’s construction
work. After graduating from Baraboo High
School in 1951, Reynolds moved to Watertown with his parents.
Like his father, he
also worked in the construction field for a Butler company. During his off hours from the excavation job,
Reynolds began working part time in 1956 as an auxiliary policeman, directing
traffic on Friday nights and supervising ball tournaments and dances at Turner
Hall. When the police department
expanded in January 1958, Reynolds was hired as a fulltime sworn officer.
In his first two years
on the force, he worked from 4 p.m. to midnight. The next seven years were on the midnight to
8 a.m. shift. With his promotion to
sergeant in June 1967, Reynolds began working in the department's juvenile
division under Inspector Mickey Krahn.
Reynolds worked in the juvenile department until his promotion to inspector
under Chief Gerald Donovan on March 1, 1972.
After Donovan left to accept another position in January 1980, Reynolds
beat out about 20 applicants to become Watertown's eighth chief of police.
After his retirement,
Reynolds will leave a department that has grown to 33 sworn officers and a
civilian staff of 11 full- and part-time secretaries and dispatchers. Abstracted from WDTimes article
Concluded 35-years of law
enforcement
Richard Reynolds
06 13 CHARLES
MCGEE SELECTED AS NEXT CHIEF
Charles S. McGee II, a lieutenant with a Colorado police department, has been
selected as Watertown’s ninth Chief of Police.
The Watertown Police and Fire Commission chose McGee, 46, after
interviewing the five finalists for the position. McGee told the Daily Times he expected to
accept the position, pending a final agreement on the terms of his
employment. David Nielsen, secretary for
the commission, said the panel was unanimous on its selection of McGee, who
currently serves as patrol commander for the Northglenn, Colo., police
department.
07 03 CHIEF
REYNOLDS RETIRES
Watertown Police Chief
Richard Reynolds will conclude a 35-year career with the department when he
retires this summer. Reynolds informed
the Watertown Police and Fire Commission Monday that his last day of work would
be May 21, although his actual effective retirement date will be
midsummer. Reynolds believed it was time
to hand the leadership of the department to a younger person. Reynolds will turn 60 on May 26. Reynolds started his career with the
Watertown Police Department as a patrolman on Jan. 2, 1958, although for
several years prior, he served on the police reserve.
07 06 CHIEF
POSITION OFFERED TO CHARLES MCGEE
The Watertown Police
and Fire Commission Thursday voted to formally offer the city's police chief
position to Charles McGee. In June, the
commission tentatively selected McGee for the position, pending the results of
a background check, as well as psychological and physical tests. "Those reports were all in and we
reviewed those and formally approved our (previous) recommended," said
Gary Smith, commission chairman. He
noted that nothing turned up in the tests or McGee's background to give
commissioners any concerns about hiring him.
City Clerk-Treasurer Michael Hoppenrath said a letter will be sent today
to McGee to offer him the position, which has been vacant since Richard
Reynolds retired in late May. McGee has
verbally accepted the Watertown job.
1993-2008
CHARLES S. MCGEE, Chief of Police
Watertown’s 9th Chief of Police 
1994
NEW DEPARTMENT LOGO
08 28 POLICE LIAISON AT HIGH
SCHOOL
A workshop about a
police liaison at Watertown High School will be
held by the board of education and the police department Thursday evening. Sgt. Mark Meddaugh of the Watertown Police
Department will conduct the discussion during a 6:30 p.m. board meeting at the
Educational Service Center, 111 Dodge St.
The board of education earlier this summer had requested information
about the possibility of having a police officer work as a liaison at the
school. Police Chief Charles McGee has
indicated an interest in developing ways to work with the school district in
juvenile issues. Several area districts
have a police liaison program, where an officer works closely with the high
school but is not stationed in the building.
WDT
1995
NEW LOGO ON THREE NEWEST SQUAD CARS
1995
EXPANSION OF POLICE BIKE PATROL PROGRAM
c.1996
SHERRY MEYER, PARKING MONITOR (METER READER)
Sherry Meyer was with the department from April 3, 1978
until 1994 as the full-time dispatcher.
She briefly went part-time when the new 9-1-1 system went into place as
it was no longer a position that she was interested in. She was hired back full-time in 1994 as the
parking monitor. It was some time after
she was re-hired that the photo was taken of her with the Cushman scooter which
she used for a short period of time to do parking enforcement, before a little
Ford pickup truck was purchased for her to use.
1997
04 05 ID CARD COMPLIANCE
Watertown Police Friday
evening conducted a second undercover operation to determine if local tavern
owners are checking ID cards of people suspected of being underage. And, this time, the results showed a better
compliance level than the earlier one, according to Chief of Police Charles
McGee. Nine taverns and businesses were
visited by four underage volunteers. The
volunteers were able to purchase alcohol at only one of the establishments, the
chief said. “I was very pleasantly
surprised at the outcome,” McGee said.
“Obviously, our efforts to work cooperatively with the liquor outlets
are paying off. All we ask is that IDs
be checked and that was done at every location but one.”
05 07 NEW POLICE FACILITY
RECOMMENDED
The Watertown Common
Council Tuesday will consider a committee’s recommendation for the construction
of a new facility for the police department.
The council will meet at 7 p.m. in the council chambers of the Watertown
Municipal Building. Council members have
already taken one vote on the issue.
Aldermen met as a committee of the whole last week and voted, 7-2, to
bring the resolution to Tuesday’s council meeting for a potential vote. Council members Kenneth Berg and Lewis Miller
cast the two dissenting votes at that meeting.
The recommendation to design and construct a new police facility on a
new site was recommended by the ad hoc police facility committee, which was
formed by the council in June 1996.
10 17 Safe and Sober
traffic safety campaign, grant received WDT
Police Auxiliary, 1997
Plaque
presented to Capt. Bill Connor
Appreciation
for 40 years of dedicated service, Watertown Auxiliary Police,
1957-97
1998
12 10 
Police train with new Colt
AR-15 automatic weapons
12 19 A new Watertown Police Dept would be
constructed near the high school, plan proposed WDT
-- -- OFFICER LAVERN SCHUMANN
RETIRES
Upon his return from Vietnam, Schumann became a Watertown Police
Department officer for 30 years, retiring as a lieutenant in 1998. [Profile
of, WDTimes]
1999
02 03 Inspector Larry Sukow, 30 year veteran,
retiring WDT
03 21 $5 million cap on a new police facility and
renovations to municipal building WDT
04 03 Police facility on High School land;
option allowed construction of WDT
05 12 Timothy
J. Roets appointed deputy chief of police WDT
06 03 The bike patrol is
breaking down barriers in Watertown. The
barriers, invisible walls existing throughout the city, have been built between
the city police and the public. They
were formed by public perceptions of squad cars and official police uniforms,
which sometimes create a sense of apprehension and intimidation. “I enjoy bike patrol on Sunday when people
are cutting their lawns,” officer Paul Thomas said. He initiates conversation and asks people if
they have concerns. “It’ll catch them
off guard, but they’ll say there is loud music from cars driving by or
something else.” WDT
July Lights ‘n Sirens Community Safety Fair. First of what would become an annual event WDT
10 06 Police station does not meet national and
legal requirements WDT
__________________________________________________________________________________________
1900-1949 section Other Segments 2000-present section
__________________________________________________________________________________________
History of Watertown, Wisconsin