Police Department

This file part of www.watertownhistory.org website

Watertown Police Department

Serving the community since 1853

1842

Up to 1842 Watertown operated under a county system of government and in April of that year Watertown held its first election for town constables. Harris Gilman and Eli H. Bouton were chosen.

1849

On March 7, 1849, Watertown was incorporated as a village and a charter was adopted. The village marshal was Joseph Giles.

Joseph Giles was one of the early day police officers in Watertown. He was sheriff of Jefferson County many years ago, deputy sheriff, constable, in fact held office most all his life in Watertown. Joe was always able to manage the tough boys who came to town . . .

1853 Police Department Established

In 1853 Watertown was incorporated as a city, and from then on operated the law and order department, with justices of the peace, city marshals and constables. There were justices of the peace in Watertown and sometimes two or three constables in a ward. Occasionally in an old city directory one or two would be identified as policemen.

CITY CHARTER / AN ACT / To Incorporate the City of Watertown

03 03 . . . Section 7. The mayor shall be the chief executive officer and head of the police of the city. It shall be his duty to recommend in writing to the city council such measures as he may deem expedient. He shall keep the seal of said city, sign all commissions, licenses and permits which may be granted by the city council; he shall endeavor to maintain peace and good order, and see that the laws of the state and ordinances of the city are observed and executed; he shall have the power to administer oaths or affirmations, and to take and certify acknowledgement of deeds and other instruments in writing. As a judicial officer, he shall have power, and by giving the bonds required by law, may exercise the jurisdiction of justice of the peace, and to prevent or suppress riot or other public disturbance, by may appoint as many special constables as he may deem proper.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand a affixed the great seal of said state, at the capitol in Madison, this third day of March, A.D. 1853.

Charles D Robinson, Secretary of State. Watertown Chronicle, 03 16 1853

1853

Lucius Bruegger became the first city marshal in 1853 when Watertown was incorporated as a city.

1854-1857 Ernst Off, City Marshal

1855

Night Watchman taken up town, filled with beer, while two sawed Maes’ shanty fence and threw it into the river

1858 Harris Gilman, City Marshal

August Tanck elected City Marshal

1859

01 27 Accounts presented and referred . . . W. Bieber & Co., for rent of lock-up to March, 1859, $18.00 WD

02 10 Confer with Messrs. Bieber & Co. and ascertain the amount of rent for lock up for the ensuring year WD

03 03 John Staub, candidate for office of City Marshal

03 10 Subject of Police Jurisdiction

06 02 Special Police or Night Watch proposed WD

1859-1860 August Tanck, City Marshal

1860

01 26 August Tank for three months services as City Marshall, Oct. 1st, 1859, to Dec 31, 1859, $25, allowed and charged to city general fund WD

1861 John Haines, City Marshal

05 23 Office of police justice to be abolished, remarks by Mayor Williams WD

1862 Frederick Herman, City Marshal

1863 J. Staub, City Marshal

1864 John Haines, City Marshal

1866-1872 Ernst Off, City Marshal

1869 Special Police

1. The common council, for the purpose of guarding against the calamities of fire, shall have power to prescribe the limits within which wooden building or buildings of other materials that shall not be considered fire proof, shall not be erected or repaired and to direct that all and any buildings within . . .

7. The common council shall have power to organize a sack [fire] company, which shall be known as sack company number one, to consist of not more than twenty members. Such company shall constitute a part of the fire department, and at fires shall be subject to the control of the chief engineer. The members of said company, either collectively or individually, are hereby authorized and empowered to act as a special police in and for the city of Watertown, and are hereby vested with all the power and authority which now is or may hereafter be vested in any police officer of said city and shall be entitled to all the rights and immunities of the fire department; at fires they shall take charge of all property which may be exposed or endangered, and shall, so far as it may be in their power, preserve the same from injury and destruction . . . Riedl, Ken, Watertown Fire Department: 1858-2007, 2007, pg 48

1873 John “Putt” Reichert [Reichardt], City Marshal

1874 P. Dougherty, City Marshal

1875 J. F. Barber, City Marshal

1876 Watertown Special Police [Fire Police]

A general desire seems to prevail among many of our citizens, and the matter will soon be submitted to the consideration of the Board of Street Commissioners as to the exigency of organizing a Sack Company, to act as a reinforcement to our present police force in cases of great necessity.

Although the city charter expressly provides for an organization of this description [see 1869], still no force of this kind has yet been formed, and without it the efficiency of our Fire Department seems necessarily incomplete. The organization, as provided by the charter, is to comprise not more than twenty men, to constitute a part of the Fire Department and to be subjected to the full control of the chief engineer.

It is understood that each member belonging to the company is virtually constituted a police officer, empowered with the same rights, privileges and authority that are vested in any emissary connected with our city police. Watertown Democrat, 06 22 1876 / Riedl, Ken, Watertown Fire Department: 1858-2007, 2007, pg 84

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Sack Company No. 1 was incorporated in 1876 for the purpose of attending fires in the capacity of a special fire police force—few now know that they even existed, much less what their role was at the time. Special Police or Fire Police were Volunteer Fire Company members with sworn police powers. They received special police training and were responsible for traffic control, crowd control, fire and incident scene security, apparatus security securing property and, in some instances, station security during calls for service. They hustled when the alarm of fire was heard, many times reaching the scene before the firemen themselves. During times of large-scale or particularly serious small emergencies, the response system could become overwhelmed. To that end, having a trained, equipped group of responders who could supplement fire personnel was an invaluable tool to incident commanders. Riedl, Ken, Watertown Fire Department: 1858-2007, 2007, pgs 84-86

1877-1878 D. Kehr, City Marshal

1879 George Henze, City Marshal

1880s, c

F. P. [Peter] Brook, owner of a confectionary and fruit store on the Main St bridge, served as deputy city marshal, date uncertain WG

1885

August Charles Kerr, appointed night patrolman, becomes city marshal and first police chief; served 1885-1912.

09 04 Officer Stylow; chance to show the public just how adept he was at handling six desperate tramps

1889 Charles Zautner, City Marshal

Night police officer sleeping while on duty, Zautner prepared formal complaint regarding.

1890c Police Dept located in City Hall, adjacent to Fire Dept

1892-1895 Charles Kerr, City Marshal

1894

01 23 During the year 1894 there were 226 arrests made by officers in this city. The statistics . . . WR

06 29 Julius Schoechert appointed special policeman WG

1896-1916 Herman C. Block:

Watertown's first Chief of Police in the modern sense of that term was the late Herman C. Block. He was first named in 1896 and served by appointment of the City Council from 1903 to 1910, when he was appointed to the same position by the Board of Police and Fire Commissioners, serving until 1916 when he resigned and was succeeded by Charles Pieritz.

Mr. Block became a Milwaukee Road detective after leaving his position here. His home for many years was at South Fourth and Market Streets, the site now [1954] occupied by the office building of Dr. A. C. Hahn, Dr. A. C. Nickels and Dr. Vernon P. Smebak.

Death of, 1926

1910 Chief of Police: H. C. Block

Policemen: Lucius Bruegger, Charles Pieritz, Gerhardt Butzler, Charles Kerr

Special Policemen: Carl Beduhn, Bert W. Smith

1915 Police presence, after Barker Lumber fire

07 01 3:40 am alarm turned in by Patrolman Arthur Doerr

10 08 Officer Doerr’s Close Call

A Fierce Gun Fight at Watertown With Supposed Train Robbers

MANY SHOTS EXCHANGED

A dispatch from Watertown to the Milwaukee papers last Wednesday gives a detailed account of an effort of two Watertown policemen to arrest the supposed train robbers. One of the policemen , and the officer who had a mighty close call is Arthur Doerr, a former resident of Juneau and a son-in-law of Fred Bertsch of this place.

A passenger train of the Milwaukee Road was held up and robbed in the state of Washington last week and the supposed bandits were working their way in this direction ever since the robbery.

The police in Portage wired the Watertown police Tuesday to search all trains coming into Watertown. Tuesday night Policeman Arthur Doerr and Lucius Bruegger went to the depot. As Doerr was entering a box car he threw his flash light ahead and saw three men. “What are you doing here?” he said.

Without saying a word one of the suspects drew an automatic revolver and pressed it against the nose of the officer. A click of the trigger followed but there was no explosion of the cartridge.

Doerr dropped to the ground to save himself. The suspects jumped back into the box car, while Doerr began firing at them until his revolver was empty. The suspects, every time the officer fired, answered the shots and bullets went whizzing over the officer’s head, but none of them found their mark.

Aid was summoned and a running fire of revolver play ensued. The station agent and a citizen followed one of the suspects along the track, but the suspect held them at bay by frequent shots from his revolver and escaped.

“I have learned my lesson” said Doerr this morning. “Next time I will be better armed and have enough shots with me.”

Doerr attributes the escape of the train robbers to the fact that they were better armed and provided with several rounds of ammunition. WDT

1916

11 24 Chief Block Resigns

Following the action of the police and fire commission in passing a resolution prohibiting the Chief of Police to leave the city without consent of either the president or secretary of the commission, Chief of Police Herman C. Block tendered his resignation. This action was taken by Mr. Block as he could not see his way clear to the proper exercise of his duties if restrictions were to be enforced similar to the one adopted by the police and fire commission. Chief Block was a member of the Watertown police department 23 years and was at the head of the department for 21 years. WDT

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1916 Rules and Regulations

Board of Police and Fire Commissioners

Regarding Watertown Police and Fire Departments

City of Watertown

Selected portions of Rules and Regulations: Adopted July 3, 1916.

Sec. 959-45. 1. The Chief of Police and the Chief of the Fire Department shall hold their respective offices during good behavior, subject, however, to suspension or removal as herein provided, at any time for cause. In suspending a chief officer the board may act on its own initiative or upon written charges made by any qualified elector of said city and filed with the president of the board. Pending the investigation of any such charges, the board may, in its discretion, suspend any such chief officer . . .

Sec. 959-45. 2. Every other officer or member of either department shall be subject to suspension, for cause, by the chief of the department or by said board. If suspension is made by the chief officer he shall immediately report the same with the cause of such suspension to the president of the board, and the board shall thereupon proceed to examine the charges against such suspended person, giving him an opportunity to be heard in his defense. After hearing the evidence the board shall determine whether said charges are sustained . . . Riedl, Ken, Watertown Fire Department: 1858-2007, 2007, pg 194

Police and fire commissions date back to a time, more than a century ago, when the Wisconsin Legislature enacted a measure establishing such commissions as municipal bodies. Recognizing the critical role of police officers and firefighters in assuring the public's safety, the Legislature believed that by creating an independent body, one that no political party could come to dominate, the selection and removal of police officers and fire fighters would be insulated from the vagaries of partisan politics.

When Commissions Must Be Created: Under Wisconsin law, cities with a population of 4,000 or more must create police and fire commissions. Cities with a population of under 4,000 may, by ordinance, create a police and fire commission, but are not required to do so. (Section 62.13(2), Wisconsin Statutes.) Villages are treated differently under state law and in a manner that is sometimes confusing. Riedl, Ken, Watertown Fire Department: 1858-2007, 2007, pg 428

1916-30 Charles Pieritz: Pieritz served from Dec. 1, 1916 to Dec. 31, 1930.

1927

The 1927 department consisted of H. A. Weis, A. J. Doerr, A. Glaser, Wm. Grossert, H. Rutz, and W. Zimmermann. Seated: Chief of Police C. H. Pieritz, and Assistant Chief M. H. Bolger.

1928 New Patrol Here; Council Consigns It To Basement

12 05 Watertown’s new police patrol, purchased through the C. H. Tidd Co., arrived in the city was placed on exhibition at the City Hall. The council consigned the patrol to quarters that are being prepared for it in the basement by the committee on public buildings.

Opposition to placing the patrol in the basement, at the extreme northwest end of the building, has arisen and protests were launched in the council by some aldermen who said that a more convenient place should be secured. It was decided, however, to continue the plans as undertaken by the committee on public buildings and give the basement quarters a trial. Remodeling of the place, the city engineer said, is not costly, and he said he felt the plan will work out alright.

Captain Bolger, in charge of the night police force, said that it was up to the council to decide where the patrol is to be housed, but he said that in his estimation, and in the estimation of some other officials, the basement quarters are in an out of the way place.

“The police patrol should be just as handy and ready for service as are the fire trucks,” he said. “When people call the police, especially at night they want quick service and at time there will be delay in getting the patrol from its quarters, especially if the alleyways about the building are covered with snow or coated with ice. At times, I venture to say, it will be wholly impossible to get out with the machine. We have had experience along this line and even with the Ford car we used so long it was impossible at times to mount the hill. It must be remembered that there is no chance of getting a start from the bottom end of the city hall, because the incline starts at once.”

Must Be Quartered

It was pointed out that the new machine is one that will not be allowed to stand out in any kind of weather, ready for use when needed as was the old car, but that it must be quartered between calls for its use.

The police get far more calls at night than people are aware of and the patrol goes out time after time and even the slightest delay at times will result in protest from the public requiring the services of officers.

The city engineer said that he was operating under the orders of the committee on public buildings and had no voice in the matter, but that he felt the plans of the committee would work out satisfactorily.

Following the suggestion of Alderman Stacy, the new patrol will be kept ready at all times and is to be oiled, cleaned and maintained in serviceable condition by a member of the fire department whose duty it will be to see that the car is fit for use whenever required by the police. Present plans are to turn this work over to Emil Luther, janitor of the city and a member of the fire department. The service will be paid for in addition to the regular salary received by him.

A test was to be made this afternoon of the patrol in an effort to find out how the proposed new quarters will serve the convenience of drivers. It was to be conducted by members of the department under the direction of Joseph M. Solon of the C. H. Tidd Co. who negotiated the deal for the purchase of the vehicle with the city. WDT

1930 Retirement of Chief Pieritz.

1931-44 Albert N. Quest: Pieritz was succeeded by Quest on Jan. 1, 1931. Mr. Quest was a retired Milwaukee police officer and his tenure here resulted in a complete overhauling of the Police Department, bringing it up to a new high standard and organization . He was stricken with a heart attack and died on June 11, 1944.

1930s Patrolling the streets

Harley motorcycle operated by Officer Raymond Brier.

1935

Ports in windshield and shields mounted on bumper

1936 Engelke murder

Arthur Zimmermann, William Voss [murderer], Harry O'Brien, Harold Dakin

1939 Dept patrol cars. Car on right believed to be a 1938 or 39 Plymouth

Memorial Park, today municipal bldg. Hartig Brewery in background

1940

Death of Sgt. Arthur '"Zimmie"Zimmermann; joined department in 1916

1942 Watertown Police Reserve [Watertown Auxiliary Police]

06 28 Watertown has the oldest police auxiliary group in the state. The Watertown Police Reserve, originally known as the Watertown Auxiliary Police group, has been ongoing consecutively from 1942. The Milwaukee Police Auxiliary is the next oldest organization, having been formed after World War II. The American Legion was founded in 1919 and since there was no group to give the veterans of World War I military honors, a firing squad was started to provide the duty. The squad was composed of members that could easily get away from work for funerals. WDT

The Watertown Auxiliary Police force, not to be confused with the Watertown Special Police, was formed in 1942 as a Civil Defense Corps during World War II under the direction of a County Defense Chairman. The primary function of the organization at that time was to assist residents in the event of an attack by a foreign country. Upon conclusion of World War II, then Police Chief Theodore Voigt asked the group to become an Auxiliary Police squadron. The group became the Watertown Auxiliary Police and have been assisting sworn officers at special events and major incidents demanding prolonged law enforcement services ever since. Riedl, Ken, Watertown Fire Department: 1858-2007, 2007, pg 87

1944-1954 Theodore C. Voigt

Chief Theodore C. Voigt took over his duties on July 1, 1944. The chief rose from the ranks of the Police Department. A former member of the U. S. Marine Corps, Voigt, joined the department in 1932, serving as patrolman until 1939. On March 25,1939 he was named sergeant and served in that capacity until Jan. 3, 1944, when he became captain, succeeding Capt. William Grossert when the latter retired from the department.

On Sept. 20, 1950 Voigt was named a special agent of the FBI and was granted a leave of absence by the City Council to accept the position. He served until July of 1953 when his service with the FBI terminated and he returned to his duties as chief.

During his absence Herbert Vehlow served as acting Chief of Police. Since Voigt's return, Vehlow has held the rank of police inspector.

Under Chief Quest and Chief Voigt the department has made its greatest strides toward modern police methods. Its men have attended special schools for police training, some of them conducted by the FBI. It has modernized its equipment, a police radio system has been installed and modern fingerprinting, photography and modern filing systems have been introduced. The old police patrol was abandoned with the advent of the modern automobile and now the department uses squad cars and motorcycles in its work. Through radio the department is in constant touch with sheriff's departments and police authorities in other cities.

1945c

Exterior view of old City Hall. When one walked in the main entrance of City Hall the police department was straight ahead. A door to the Fire Department was off the right. The jail was on the first floor, behind the police dept. Originally consisted of 3 cells, but later on was used for storage. Stairway to left upon entering led to offices of mayor, city clerk and city treasurer located on second floor. City nurse and Army and Navy recruiter were on third floor. . . .

Leonard Braunschweig on motorcycle

10 31 Herbert W. Tessman [l] and Wilbur F. Wollin [r], began their duties November 1. Both were veterans of World War II and were appointed to their new positions following examinations. Tessman was a platoon sergeant in the U. S. Marines and saw duty in the Pacific; Wollin was a lieutenant in the Army and served in Europe. The two men replaced George Helmke who resigned and Arthur Glaser who had recently retired from the department.

1946

01 09 Gordon Gerth, 23, son of Alderman and Mrs. Herman Gerth [*], took over his duties as patrolman with the local police department. Officer Gerth was a graduate of the Watertown High School, where he played football, and attended Ripon College for two years. WDT

[*] Herman Gerth: 1956, Last Man’s Club, Company E; 1958, G B Lewis 25 year club; member of Auxiliary Police in 1960

01 10 Herbert Weis, 1887-1946

First Watertown policeman to ride a motorcycle; it was his own.

1950s

L-R: Alfred ( Mickey ) Krahn, Marlyn ( Pecky ) Mann or Norman Behlke, unknown civilian

1954

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.

1955-1966 Herbert F. Vehlow, Chief of Police

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

02 29 Officer Kenneth Ceithamer began his duties; Sgt. Clarence Tessmann assigned to day shift; Officer Earl Ebert assigned to a late night shift.

1957

12 17 Richard Reynolds, patrolman; Gordon Gerth, sergeant WDT

1958

06 12 Enforcement of bicycle code

Department personnel, c1958

10 15 Chief Vehlow with boy scouts

1959

Louis Kohls, July 1959

1960

06 17 Watertown Civic Center, Police Dept station would be part of plan WDT

Members of the Watertown Auxiliary Police

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

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

1963 Al Linde and Herb Vehlow, Fire and Police Chiefs, at late 1963 ground-breaking for fire and police station portion of new Municipal Building on site of Memorial Park.

1966-1971 Marlyn K. Mann, Chief of Police

Profile of Marlyn Mann

1966 Safe cracked

Police Dept Photo dated 03 24 1966, 7:24 a.m. Location Elks Club, 117 N First St

1966

1968 Lavern E. Schumann

04 01 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]

Gerth Braunschweig

07 01 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

1968 Police Cushman Scooters

01 17 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.

1968 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.

1960s, late

Department baseball team, late 1960s

1971

03 09 Death of Chief Marlyn Mann. Inspector Clarence Tessmann appointed temp chief.

1971-1979 Gerald P. Donovan, Chief of Police

1971c

Bob Webster, Communications Rm, New City Hall

1972 Interior views of department facilities

1975c

Officer Bob Webster, S Second and Market streets

1977

Bicycle safety and Cub Scouts of St. Henry's.

1977 John Crandall retired August 1979.

1978 First women join Police Reserve

01 26 Caroline Fischer and Barbara Locke

1980-1993 Richard L. Reynolds, Chief of Police

1984

08 08 Officer Timothy Roets; named Jaycee Outstanding Young Law Enforcement Officer WDT

09 17 Lt. Schumann graduates from FBI Academy

Watertown 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 Lt. Michael Besel offered position of Chief of Police, city of Jefferson WDT

12 19 Officer Robert W. Webster received a ring for his 25 years of continuous service; Police Chief

Richard L. Reynolds; Watertown Police Dept Christmas party

Officer Larry Schultz, left, received a lapel pin for his 15 years of service.

1986 First female police officer

01 06 The first female police officer began her duties on Jan. 6, 1986. Miss Marcie Jo Repta is a native of Milwaukee. She has a bachelor of science degree with a major in criminal justice from the UW-Platteville. The new officer attended 320 hours of recruit training at Waukesha County Technical Institute and upon completion of that training she was assigned to the 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. shift. 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, 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

08 04 Police Auxiliary 15 members

12 12 Resa Scobie Brunner murder; Matthew Knapp charged WDT full text article

1990

June Henry Lehman retirement

12 31 Bob Webster retirement

1992

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

1993 Reynolds retirement

Concluded 35-years of law enforcement

1993-2008 Charles S. McGee, Chief of Police

Watertown’s 9th Chief of Police

1994 New department logo

1995 New logo on three newest squad cars

1995 Expansion of police bike patrol program

1997

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

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

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

2000

02 16 Officer Marcie Repta elected president of Wisconsin Association of Women Police WDT

03 31 Hero Recognition

4-year-old calls 911, saves mother’s life

05 12 Citizen's Police Academy

First graduation from

Capt Tom Killmon, Deputy Chief Tim Roets, Chief Charles McGee, Capt Mark Meddaugh

Spring of 2000

06 13 Police Department K-9 Unit Formed

Officer Tim Engel / Police canine Bakko

06 17 Vandals at Watertown Parks—The city is shelving for this year the idea of hiring an auxiliary police patrol to keep a lookout for vandals at Watertown parks. “It is not going to happen. There is no money budgeted for it this year,” said Park and Recreation Director John Steber. But the patrol could become a reality in 2001. “We will review with the police department what measures can be taken and addressed in the 2001 budget about possibly providing park security next year,” Steber said this week. WDT

06 17 Auxiliary Police patrol for parks shelved WDT

06 28

Police Auxiliary, 2000, 12 members

10 12 Mark E. Meddaugh

A veteran police officer of over 14 years has been selected to head the Operations Bureau of the Watertown Police Department. Sgt. Mark E. Meddaugh, who currently supervises the Investigative Division, was approved for promotion to the rank of captain by the Police and Fire Commission at its meeting Monday. Meddaugh fills a vacancy created by the promotion of Tim Roets to deputy chief. Meddaugh began his career with the Watertown Police Department in July of 1986 as a patrol officer. He was later transferred to investigations and was promoted to sergeant in February of 1991. As a former D.A.R.E. instructor, Meddaugh is well-known and respected by the children in the community. In March of 1999 Meddaugh graduated from the 196th session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va. WDT

2001

04 25 Two veteran Watertown police officers have been promoted to the rank of sergeant. Timothy O. Engel, who is credited with starting the department’s police canine police program in 1998, will be assigned to the uniform services division. He will continue his duties as canine handler. Andrew R. Gee, nationally recognized as the WeTip Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, also will be assigned to the uniform services division. WDT

2005

April Retirement of Bakko, Department’s first police canine.

2007

03 21 Lights ‘n Sirens, plans for announced WDT

2008

03 31 Back packets program

08 13 Chief McGee honored at retirement

09 17 Tim Roets, Chief of Police

Tim Roets sworn in as new Police Chief WDT, 09 17 2008

“At no other time in my career is it more important to engage and partner with our citizens, solve problems and keep Watertown a great place to live. The beauty and balance of our democracy can be seen clearly, thanks to the willing cooperation of our public and a dedicated team of support staff. We are able police our city of 23,000 people with 39 officers on a 24 hour a day basis. Not as a controlling force, but instead as part of the community.”

10 06 Haroon Khan murder, Travis Zoellick implicated in the student's death WDT full text article

12 31 Curtis J. Kleppin promoted from sergeant to captain WDT

2009

01 06 Officer Mike Kumbier, “The Elvis Cop,” retired WDT

01 29 McGruff the Crime Dog, new costume WDT

03 18 Tom Killmon, former Watertown police Capt., recognition WDT

03 24 Watertown Police Dept join Wisconsin Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force

05 05 Bakko, the police canine; died, began service in 2000 WDT

05 14 Blue and White Sunday proclaimed WDT

06 25 Jeremy Lingle hired to fill vacant officer position WDT

08 01 M&I Bank silent auction to benefit Police K-9 Unit WDT

08 06 2009 Citizen Police Academy, applications for WDT

08 21 Scott Kind hired as new police officer WDT

08 21 Adult School Crossing Guards sought WDT

Fall Police explorer program for local teens WDT

08 25 Truancy Abatement Program. Watertown Moravian Church recently made a donation, which is a cooperative effort between the Watertown Unified School District and Police Department to curb truancy in the middle and grade schools WDT

09 15 Charles Hensen hired as new police officer WDT

10 14 Auxiliary officer Dan Zindars retired WDT

11 04 Two new squad cars, resolution WDT

2010

01 08 Premise Alert System (PAS) introduced WDT

01 22 Ryan Abbott hired as new police officer WDT

01 27 Police dept space problem, municipal bldg renovation, three police/fire precincts WDT

05 11 Department photo

09 02 Officers Stacy Schroeder and Dave Gilbert, D.A.R.E./crime prevention assignments WDT

09 02 Technology update. Department received a grant to fund the purchase of 10 laptop computers, printers and mounting brackets to equip 10 squad cars. Mandated traffic stop data collection requirement effective Jan. 1, 2011. In 2009 local police officers hand wrote out 2,485 traffic citations, 798 municipal citations, 2,240 parking citations and 671 traffic crash reports. WDT

09 07 Physical Fitness Award, 5-year pin