website watertownhistory.org
ebook History of Watertown, Wisconsin
Chapter on Watertown Police
Department
Sudden Death of Herman C. Block
Ex-Chief of Police of
Watertown
Member of
police dept: 1893-1916 /
Police Chief: 1896-1916
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.
Watertown Gazette, 11 25, 1926
Thursday night of last
week at 10:20 o'clock Herman C. Block died quite suddenly of heart
trouble. Although he had not been in the
best of health for several months past, he was up and around attending to his
duties as lieutenant of police for the C.M&St.P. Ry.
On Thursday, the day of his death, he was up and around with no
indication that his death was close at hand, hence when the news of his death
spread, our people were greatly shocked and surprised.
Deceased was born July
31, 1860, in Germany and when nine years of age located in Watertown with his
parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. William Block [Sr.], and has made this city his
home up to the time of his death.
March 26, 1883, he was
united in marriage with Miss Ida Krebs of this city, who survives him, also one
daughter, Mrs. F. W. Borth, and three sons, George C.
Block, William H. Block and Fred W. Block, all of Milwaukee, and six
grandchildren. Three brothers and three
sisters also survive him, Mrs. Frank Steffen, Mrs. Albert Guetzlaff,
of Watertown, Mrs. Fred Borth of the town of Emmet,
John Block and Charles Block of Watertown and Albert Block of Milwaukee.
He was a member of the
Masonic lodge and Platttdeutscher Verein
of this city, and of the Wisconsin Association of Police Chiefs.
On May 1, 1893, he was
appointed as night man on the police force of this city, and on May 1, 1895
[1895 City Dir has Kerr listed as
Chief, so 1896 is assumed], he was appointed Chief of Police, and served
faithfully in that office until December 1, 1916, when he resigned to accept a
position as detective for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. P. Ry. Co., which
position he held up to the time of his death.
He was one of the best
known and most highly esteemed police officers in Wisconsin, not only for his
good work while employed as a police officer of this city, but also while doing
duty as a railway detective.
He performed his duties
zealously and faithfully, yet with a kindly spirit to those whom he had
occasion to arrest and bring to court.
His calling during the greater portion of his life was one that needed
caution, good judgment and zealous work in looking after evil doers, and Mr.
Block was equal to his work at all times, and when it was necessary for him to
make an arrest and run down the lawless, he did it in a peaceful, yet
determined manner, that not only commanded the respect of the law abiding
people [but] as well as the evil ones.
Being of a courageous,
manly and genial manner, he commanded the respect of all with whom he came in
contact, as was well typified last Sunday by the very large number of people who
attended his funeral, which was conducted at his late home in North Washington
Street by Rev. William E. Berger, pastor of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. His remains were interred in Oak
Hill cemetery, and at the graveside the services were conducted by the
Masons of this city, who attended the funeral in a body.
The police department
of this city also attended in a body, and police chiefs were present from other
cities, and many police officers of the C.M.&St.P.
Ry. were also present.
History of Watertown,
Wisconsin