1. law, govt and politics
2. law enforcement
3. police

THE HISTORY OF THE MONROE, LOUISIANA
POLICE DEPARTMENT
COMPILED BY
ARNOLD "SLICK" MOORE
Retired Major
1783 - 1993
ARNOLD LEE "SLICK" MOORE
Arnold Lee Moore was born on May 19, 1932 in West Monroe, Louisiana. He grew up in
Oak Grove, Louisiana. He is a veteran of the Korean War, having served in the United States Air
Force from 1951 to 1955 as a military police officer. He returned to his home and became a
campus security officer at Northeast Louisiana State College.
"Slick" became a police officer for the Monroe Police Department on June 16, 1961. On
June 1, 1973, he was promoted to sergeant. He became a lieutenant on June 1, 1974 a captain on
April 2, 1978, and finally a major on January 25, 1984. Not one to be away from the Patrol
Division for very long, "Slick" requested to be demoted back to Captain on October 1, 1984. (It
is significant to note that the officers on the third shift later bought Captain Moore's badge and
presented it to him.) He retired on February 15, 1987 with twenty-five years, seven months and
twenty-eight days of honorable service to the City of Monroe's Police Department.
He was twice voted as first runner-up for Supervisor of the Year, and in 1982 was voted
Supervisor of the Year of the Monroe Police Department. He had many commendations from
citizens and fellow officers and was never officially reprimanded during his distinguished career.
Known as a good listener, "Slick" was highly respected and well liked. He could take a
joke as well as he could give them. His leadership qualities were enhanced by his command
presence.
Arnold "Slick" Moore is a man who fit the police officers' shoes to a "T". He not only
loves the law enforcement profession, but loves its history. The Monroe Police Department is
indebted to "Slick" for his untiring efforts in writing this history which preserves our proud
heritage.
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The History of the Monroe Police Department was compiled from the Monroe News-Star
from 1909 to 1992. The dates given are the dates the article appeared in the News-Star and not
necessarily the date the item happened. Also, there were several newspapers missing from the
files, therefore, some of the articles may have been missed.
Prior to 1909 the history was obtained from an article Judge Charles Schulze had written
about the department in 1926.
In compiling this history, there are numerous people to whom I owe thanks for their help,
however, it is impossible for me to list them all. To these I can only say, I will always remember
your kindness.
I would like to personally thank the following for their help in the development of this
history: The Monroe News-Star for originally publishing the history and the reporters, past and
present, for writing the history; my daughter-in-law, Sharon Moore, for typing the years from
1783 to 1941; the employees of the Ouachita Parish Public Library Reference Section for their
help with the microfilm machine, especially Ms. Nancy Huey and Ms. Julie Crump; and
especially my wife, Madge, for her help and understanding of the mess I always made of my
notes.
To all the police officers of the Monroe Police Department, past and present, this work is
dedicated to you in hopes you will never be forgotten.
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In 1783, Don Juan Filhiol was commissioned civil and military commandant by
Governor Miro for a post on the Ouachita River called Prairies Des Canots. Filhiol was given
instructions to clean up the Ouachita. He was to arrest deserters, establish good relations with
other commandants of Louisiana, keep the peace with the inhabitants and keep down the
disorders of drink by establishing a single tavern. Upon arriving at the site of Prairies Des
Canots, Filhiol sent a report to Governor Miro and advised him the inhabitants were the scum of
the earth. They excel in all vices and their mode of life is shameful. Due to a murder by Indians
of a settler north of the area, Filhiol requested a need for a fort. In 1790, a fort was built and was
called Fort Miro after the Governor.
During this time Filhiol tried to establish law and order at Fort Miro. He tried to control
the consumption of alcoholic beverages by placing his brother in charge of the tavern. Filhiol did
not hold the title of a lawman, but he was probably the first person to attempt the duties of law
enforcement. In 1800, Filhiol decided to resign. His replacement was Don V. F. Fejoiro; it is
not known how long he was the fort's commandant. In 1804, Lt. Joseph Bowmar was sent to Fort
Miro with a small garrison of men. It is believed he was sent to keep law and order. On May 1,
1819, the James Monroe, the first steamboat to come up the Ouachita River, docked at Fort Miro.
At this time the Fort's name was changed to Monroe.
1783 to 1800
Filhiol was commandant.
1805
Fort Miro was designated seat of Ouachita Parish by the territorial government.
1819
Name was changed to Monroe.
1820
Monroe received articles of incorporation as a town.
1820 to 1855
Believe no records of first government exists.
1855
Charter changed the name of the chief executive from President to Mayor -he was elected
by the vote of the people for a term of one year. Arthur H. Harris was Monroe's first Mayor.
May 7, 1855 Mayor Arthur Harris and the City Council spent long hours setting down
numerous laws by which the town was to be governed - some of the statutes made it unlawful to
ride a horse at a gallop through the town; businesses could not be open on Sundays; residents
could not go swimming in the Ouachita River in the daytime.
T. Emmerson became police chief.
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J. G. Richardson became police chief.
1861 to 1865
Civil War
1865
Civil War over - Monroe was feeling the consequences. Very little
organized government - problems were veterans without civil rights, losses of men
and property, railroad destroyed and the problems with freed slaves.
1866
George McCranie was elected Mayor.
1871
December fire swept the city - hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage was done.
1871 to 1874
Negro carpetbagger, G. W. Hamlet was appointed Mayor. At this time, Monroe had one
white officer and four black officers. They were Dr. J. E. Newman, white; Frank Terrell, G. B.
Hamlet, Vic Valley Moore and Ben James. Whenever Ben James made an arrest, he would
always advise his prisoner with a little saying of his own - "State of Louisiana, City of Monroe,
Ward three, you are my prisoner, please come with me." Each policeman was equipped with an
army pistol, a three foot hickory stick and a nickel star badge.
1874 Beginning of the reconstruction - at this time Monroe was in the hands of white
leaders. The newly elected officials dismissed the black policemen and elected a white
policeman. His salary was fifty dollars a month. John Mooney was a policeman, street
commissioner, sexton, ditcher and lamplighter. After he served a year, he appeared before the
council and asked to be relieved of some of his duties. He told the council he did not mind
making arrests, working prisoners, or cleaning the ditches and digging the graves, but he stated
he was tired of lighting the street lamps every evening and blowing them out at daylight.
Timothy Larkin was added to the force as street commissioner, sexton and lamplighter.
September 12, 1888 Officer W. J. Haynie was killed while taking three white males to
jail. One of the white males pulled a gun and shot Haynie. Haynie pulled his gun and shot and
killed the suspect. While Officer Haynie lay dying, he stated, "Boys, I am dying, but I did my
duty." Haynie is believed to be the first Monroe Police Officer killed on duty.
Sometime in 1888, Jeff Nichols was working extra police work. Jeff was a very talkative
person and was always boasting of his bravery. He was assigned to the five-points area and was
able to make his first arrest of a Negro female named Liza "Lip" Moore. As the story goes, Liza
drank a little too much and became vociferous in her language out on the street. Jeff placed her
under arrest and started to the city jail. Upon arrival she stopped and said, "Mr. Jeff, you are a
white man and I am a Negro woman and this is to tell you, I ain't going to jail." She grabbed Jeff
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around the waist, threw him down and beat him almost senseless. She then took his pistol belt,
badge and a nightstick away from him. She returned to the five-points area and left Jeff's
equipment with a saloon keeper. She then left for parts unknown. After a week in bed, Jeff
resigned. His ambition to be a policeman was fully satisfied.
1894
Monroe Police consisted of seven policemen. They received their first uniforms. The
uniforms were similar to the Civil War uniforms. The badge was a round, eight pointed star.
1900
Paul Hilton was returning from a fire when the truck he was riding made a sharp turn at
the intersection of St. John and DeSiard Street. Hilton fell from the truck, striking the pavement
and fracturing his skull. He lingered for a few days and died on April 10, 1900. Hilton was
employed in 1894 as an inspector at the salary of sixty dollars a month.
July 24, 1909
Officer A. J. Tatum and Special Officer M. J. Baulch went on a gambling raid near the
Iron Mountain Passenger Depot. Bob Chase, Negro male, was shot and seriously wounded after
running rough-shod over the officers. In the dim light, officers saw a bright object in the Negro
male's hand. The bright object was later found to be a whiskey bottle. After being shot, the
Negro male still ran at the officers. He was hit on the head with a pistol, knocking him out.
August 23, 1909
Officer C. D. Newman was trying to arrest a Negro male when this Negro male shoved a
.44 Colt against Officer Newman's body. The gun failed to fire. The Negro male's funeral took
place this morning. Officer Newman had to shoot the Negro male to make the arrest (as reported
in the Monroe News-Star).
August 24, 1909
At 9:00 A.M., a Negro male, found to be W. S. Wade, went on a rampage, shooting
twenty-nine citizens with a double-barrel shotgun. None were killed. This happened on South
Grand Street, near DeSiard. He was in a doorway which went to an office upstairs. He would
step out, shoot and then step back in the doorway and reload. Just who fired the shot that killed
the Negro male is not known, but it was either Mayor Forsythe or Officer Hugh Biggar. Both
Mayor Forsythe and Officer Biggar were wounded; Officer Biggar more seriously. As reported
in the News-Star, the Negro male's body was hung up on an awning so everyone could see him.
His body was then taken to City Hall where some old dry lumber had been recently torn from the
old City Hall. His body was placed on this lumber with several buckets of oil thrown on him,
then a match was applied. Soon the body was lost sight of in the mass of flames.
July 25, 1910
A party of masked white men entered the city jail with a key. They took out Laura Porter,
Negro female, in the nude. About an hour later they returned for her clothes. As reported by the
News-Star, it is not known what happened to Laura Porter, but the talk on the street was she was
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drowned in the Ouachita River. She has been the keeper of a notorious dive in the east end of the
city for several years. It is said she would entice white men to the house and then rob them. She
has given the police officers more trouble than all the other citizens of the "red light district." She
was arrested Saturday night on a robbery charge. It looks very much like she has left town for
good. Nothing else found in the old News-Star about her.
May 16, 1911
The City Council met and voted on all city employees. It is believed the council votes
every four years to keep or let go all city employees. The following police officers were elected;
W. V. Roberts, M. C. Flewellen, A. J. Tatum, Hugh Biggar, Tom Flewellen, P. D. McCabe, P. B.
Wales, Frank Pettit, David Lemle, W. R. Lewis and J. P. Miller. Votes were also cast for A. B.
Fisher, L. J. Gimler and Willie Stevens; not known if they were hired.
January 15, 1912
NOTORIOUS CROOK ESCAPED FROM JAIL; headline of News-Star. J. H. Wilson,
who was serving a term of sixty days on the streets as a dangerous and suspicious character,
sawed three steel bars in his cell and escaped. Street Commissioner Miller fired at Wilson with a
double-barrel shotgun and he was unquestionably wounded, as bloody tracks and a pool of blood
was found. Wilson was the man who had a bottle of nitro-glycerin in his pocket when he was
arrested. Not known if he was later found.
January 28, 1912
Monroe Police Officer Hugh Biggar was elected City Marshal. Don't believe he had to
resign to run for Marshal.
September 2, 1912
Officer W. V. Roberts was shot through the heart by an unknown person while Roberts
was on patrol duty near the Iron Mountain Railroad crossing. This case was never solved.
September 23, 1912
The City Charter came out. This was a digest of ordinances of the City of Monroe which
had been passed from 1855 to 1912. The charter also stated the police force shall consist of the
mayor, who shall be ex-officio chief of police. There will be at least four policemen to be elected
by the Mayor and the Council. At least two officers on duty from 6:00 P.M. to 6:00 A.M. each
day of the year. Some of the ordinances were, you could not operate an automobile at a higher
rate of speed than eight miles per hour in the fire district; outside the fire district, twelve miles
per hour. No automobile shall be driven in excess of four miles per hour on the traffic bridge
over the Ouachita River.
Some of the rules for the police; any officer found intoxicated or asleep while on duty
shall be discharged from the force. Any officer who goes into a saloon and takes a drink with his
star on will be laid off for five days without pay and for the second offense, be dismissed from
the force. Any officer found gambling in a saloon or other public place when on duty or off duty
in uniform, shall be dismissed from the force. Any police officer who criticizes any superior, or
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any action or judgment of the city judge, shall be suspended without pay for thirty days for the
first offense and for the second, shall be dismissed from the force. Officers shall not use their
baton or pistol except in extremely urgent cases. Each officer shall constantly patrol his beat,
unless otherwise directed, and must not sit, lounge, loaf or act the idler thereon. Officers, when
on duty, shall wear a star on the outside of the outermost garment, over the left breast, but they
shall wear the same concealed about their person when not on duty for the purpose of
distinguishing them from the officer on duty.
1913
Tom Watson's pistol fell from his holster while he was on duty at the corner of Sixth
Street and DeSiard Street. The pistol struck the sidewalk and discharged, shooting Watson
through the leg. He did not have the wound treated and he died of blood poison on December 23,
1913.
August 5, 1914
About 10:30 P.M., A. J. Madden was in his store on DeSiard Street near Young's Bayou.
A young Negro male, found to be Henry Holmes, entered the store and murderously assaulted
and robbed Mr. Madden. Officers arrested Holmes and he was taken to jail. Sheriff Jack Parker,
Deputy W. Steele and Police Officers Percy Awl and Tom McElwee took Holmes back to the
scene of the crime to look for weapons used by Holmes. Sheriff Parker and Officer McElwee
went to look for a Negro male Holmes said helped him in the assault. Deputy Steele and Officer
Awl were left in charge of the prisoner. A mob then appeared and disarmed the officers and took
their prisoner. A rope was placed around Holmes' neck and he was led to a china tree at the rear
of the store. The News-Star stated he was hanged in a quiet and orderly manner. No other
information was found about the members of the mob or if anything was done to them. Mr.
Madden died of his injuries.
August 7, 1914
Dan Johnson and Louis Pruitt were arrested for the assault on Mr. Madden. They were
placed in the city jail. Rumors were current that Johnson and Pruitt would be hung, also. Hearing
this rumor, Mayor Forsythe ordered Johnson and Pruitt removed from the city jail and taken to
the City Hall Tower. Mayor Forsythe believed they would be secure from the mob. The mob
forced into the jail and found the prisoners missing. Someone told the mob the two prisoners
were in the tower. The prisoners were found and were hung by the mob.
October 20, 1914
Mayor C. A. Downey stated to the press, all gambling and gamblers must go. He ordered
the police force to enforce the gambling ordinance.
January 4, 1915
Street Commissioner R. E. Heap furnished the News-Star with a report on his work in
directing the city prisoners in street grading, drainage and other work. Mr. Heap has in his charge
the city barn and 17 heads of horses and mules. He cut, baled and housed 5,600 bales of hay cut
from the park. Also, during 1914 he opened 15 blocks of new streets and also cut several long
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drainage ditches. During 1914, Mr. Heap had in his charge 183 prisoners. Mr. Heap was first
hired as a police officer.
January 21, 1915
Mayor C. A. Downey, as the Chief of Police, instructed all police officers to enforce the
gambling laws and arrest all who violate this law. The City of Monroe will offer a reward of one
hundred dollars for the arrest and conviction, or for information which will lead to the arrest and
conviction of anyone violating the gambling laws.
February 22, 1915
Officers went to a dive on Eighth Street, between Grammont and Wood Streets, in
answer to a complaint. One Negro male was arrested and as officers started to take him to the
city jail, another Negro male was seen outside the house. When he was called on to surrender, he
ran, and according to officers, he fired twice at them. Officer Percy Awl then fired and missed.
The second bullet struck the Negro male in the side and passed entirely through his body. The
Negro male was found to be Jesse Davis. His pistol was found near him with two empty
cartridges. Davis was sent to St. Francis Sanitarium where he died. The News-Star stated the
dive on Eighth Street is said to be the toughest place in Monroe.
March 9, 1915
Mr. H. D. Apgar assumes the office of Mayor of Monroe in May. He will also become
the Chief of Police and Director of the Police Department. As a little token of esteem, the
Monroe News-Star suggests that a small gold badge be purchased by a popular subscription and
presented to him at the time he takes office. The badge is in the form of a star. On the face of it
will be "Mayor-Chief of Police." A suitable inscription will be engraved on the back of the
badge. In no case will more than one dollar be taken from any one person to help pay for this
badge.
May 8, 1915
John A. B. Rabun, member of the Monroe Police Force assigned to duty at the traffic
bridge as a watchman, committed suicide on May 7, 1915. He had been drinking while on duty
and he was suspended by Mayor Apgar. It is believed he became despondent over the loss of his
job and in a fit of desperation, fired the shot that ended his life.
May 10, 1915
City Council met and elected city employees for another four years. Elected to the police
force were, M. A. Lawrence, J. E. Lewis, Tom McElwee, W. R. Lewis, A. J. Tatum, M. C.
Flewellen, L. V. Tarver, Frank Pettit, R. E. Heap, D. L. Roper, W. D. Stevens, C. F. Turbiville
and J. M. Stockton. Bridge watchmen were Frank Collins and H. T. Goodwin.
June 11, 1915
Mayor Apgar called in the members of the police force yesterday afternoon and made a
short talk to them and turned the active direction of the force over to the recently appointed
Inspector, Officer M. A. Lawrence. Mayor Apgar also will establish a police headquarters at City
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Hall. A night and day officer will be in charge, so calls from any portion of the city may be
answered quickly. L. V. Tarver also became the first detective, a position he held until 1930.
October 21, 1915
R. E. Heap, a member of the force and former Street Commissioner, became Inspector of
Police. M. A. Lawrence was moved back as an officer. Inspector Heap stated to the press that he
had a room at City Hall and could be reached at any time at night by phone.
May 20, 1916
B. K. Fluker and Godfrey E. Lemle were killed in a one vehicle accident at North Fifth
and DeSiard Street. Howard Sellers was driving and attempted to turn onto DeSiard Street from
Hall Street. The vehicle skidded and turned over, crushing the two young men. Believed to be
one of the first motorized fatalities, if not the first.
June 13, 1916
City Council approved the expenditures for the Police Department. This was for the
period from May 1, 1915 to April 28, 1916.
Salaries................................... $12,989.32
City Judge .................................. 1,200.00
City Marshal .................................. 450.00
Cost of Uniforms /Caps.................. 604.63
Secret Service .............................. 1,116.93
Telephone & Telegraph ...................120.39
Railroad Fare & Expense .................. 36.87
Stationary & Printing .........................71.90
Bonds for Police .................................39.00
Livery ..................................................75.00
Medical Attention ................................ 5.00
Flashlights & Batteries ........................48.21
Stamps & Sundry Cash Items ...........103.96
Ammunition........................................... 6.20
Light Globes ....................................... 17.44
June 14, 1916
Officer Tom McElwee shot and killed an unknown Negro male. The Negro male was
about to strike Officer McElwee over the head with an iron rod. Officers McElwee and Percy
Awl were searching for two boys who had escaped from the State Training School. The officer's
little dog barked and warned Officer McElwee someone was hiding. Officer McElwee turned on
his pocket flashlight and saw the Negro male with the iron rod.
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June 17, 1916
There were only two cases before the City Court yesterday morning; Joe Dyer, better
known as "Scotty" and Judge Hebert, better known as "Peggy". Each was charged with drunk
and disorderly, and when arraigned, they pled guilty to the charges. Each, being an old offender,
was asked by the Judge why the extreme penalty of the law should not be imposed. "Scotty",
with his proverbial wit and humor was the first to respond, and said, "Your Honor, you know I
have been a regular visitor off and on for the past twenty years. I love Monroe, I love her people
and I can't help but love some of the stuff some of her people sell. Some people it makes sad,
some mean, some glad and some like myself, it parts them from their hard earned shekels (slang
for money) and puts them in a condition where the cops can yank them before the police court to
tell their woes and sorrows to the Judge. Yes, Judge, I am guilty, forty times guilty, of getting
drunk and maybe disorderly, too, but won't you kindly give me another chance to go to the tall
timbers where I can commune with God and nature and think of my dear old mother in Bonnie
Scotland. Let me go back and breathe the pure and free air out among the timbers, where I will
remain for the next sixty days; make me a "stake" hacking ties and then I will come back to you
people I love so well and live on lemonade until well, until I get to Five Points where I will meet
some of my old pals who, like myself, do no harm - only to ourselves. I am humiliated at being
before you again - give me another chance and maybe I'll not come again." Then came "Peggy's"
turn and he said, "I am only a son of Erin with one leg, as you can see for yourself, but I have
two brawny, strong arms and if putting me to work on the streets would cure my taste for the
stuff, put me there. I am not afraid of work, but Your Honor, if you will give me another chance,
I will fight the Mexicans if Uncle Sam will take me and the city will furnish ray railroad fare to
San Antonio." The Judge has taken the cases under advisement. Nothing else found in the NewsStar about the cases.
August 1, 1916
Mayor H. D. Apgar gave the police force orders to enforce the gambling laws. The
Mayor read the opinion of the City Attorney which he states to the police they have authority to
break in doors to premises other than dwelling homes to search for gambling evidence.
December 17, 1917
Sixteen members of the Monroe Police Department sign a petition for a pay raise. The
City Council refused a pay raise. Patrolman salary - $85.00 a month, Bridge Watchman - $75.00
a month, Inspector - $110.00 a month. This was for 12 hours a day.
January 1, 1918
Fines assessed for the year 1917 totaled $31,164.00; collected $12,756.35. One thousand
nine hundred arrests were made; one thousand eight hundred thirty-five went to court.
January 14, 1918
Officer J. P. Awl was relieved of his duties as a member of the Monroe Police
Department. Awl was first asked to resign by Inspector R. E. Heap, acting Chief of Police. After
refusing to resign and taking the matter up with Mayor Apgar, who is Chief of Police, Awl was
discharged from the force. Awl said he carried a painter’s union card. The street car operators are
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on strike and the city has hired non-union people to run the cars. Awl stated he had refused to
ride the cars operated by non-union people while he was off duty. He stated he would ride them
while on duty. Inspector Heap stated Awl was fired because his work was not satisfactory.
February 27, 1918
An announcement was made at the Mayor's office that beginning March 1, 1918,
Ordinance No. 982, the Curfew Law, will be enforced. This means no children under fifteen
years old will be permitted on the streets after 9:00 P.M. unless with their parents or legal
guardian or on an errand directed by their parents or guardian. The city fire alarm bell will sound
twice each night at 9:00 P.M. and youngsters out after that hour had better look out.
March 5, 1918
Vice district will be no more after midnight tonight, stated the News-Star. (There must
have been a certain district of town where the city allowed houses of prostitution.) The NewsStar stated at 12:00 o'clock tonight, legalized vice is outlawed in Monroe. Police Inspector Heap
said reports to him indicate that most of the women have already left the district and a majority
of them have left the city.
March 13, 1918
On a raid this morning, officers arrested four more white people for anti-vice violation.
So far, the force has arrested six white women and two white men for alleged violation of the
new anti-vice ordinance. Judge Schulze ordered the women to leave the city when they came into
his court.
March 14, 1918
Police officers this afternoon confirmed reports that a Negro fiend had entered the home
of H. M. Strozier, 115 Olive Street, and attacked Mrs. Strozier. Reports are conflicting as to the
extent of the assault perpetrated by the black, but neighbors of Mrs. Strozier quote her as having
stated that it was serious. Mrs. Strozier, already in a delicate condition, ran from the house
following the attack and fell on the sidewalk in front of her home. Several other homes in the
area were also entered during the night.
March 16, 1918
Negro accused of assault on a white woman is found hanging on the courthouse square,
states the News-Star. Police Officers Pettit and Hill arrested George McNeal and Johnnie
Richards on March 15, 1918 as suspects in the assault on Mrs. Strozier. For the prisoner's safety,
it was decided to take them to Shreveport.
On the night of March 15, 1918, Sheriff Grant, Police Officer Frank Pettit and a driver
left Monroe going to Choudrant to catch the train to Shreveport. In order to outwit a mob, whom
Sheriff Grant suspected might be following them, he got out of the vehicle with the two
prisoners. Officer Pettit then went in another direction. Sheriff Grant and the two prisoners were
met by another vehicle and were taken to Choudrant.
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After arriving, Sheriff Grant hid in the woods for a while, then entered the train station.
At 11:30 P.M. a large mob entered the station and took the two prisoners away from Sheriff
Grant. The Sheriff stated it was dark and the only thing he saw was two large guns sticking in his
face. The Sheriff said the mob got away not only with the two prisoners, but with his gun as well,
which, he said, he had not recovered at noon today. It is believed the mob took the two prisoners
to Mrs. Stroziers' residence where she identified George McNeal as the one that had assaulted
her. The mob released Johnnie Richards. At 3:00 A.M., March 16, 1918, Officers Powell and
Perry stopped Richards and he stated the mob had taken him before the lady and she said he was
not the guilty Negro. Officers arrested Richards and took him to jail. At about 3:30 or 4:00 A.M.,
Officer Turbiville woke up Inspector Heap and advised him that McNeal had been hung and
Richards had been released by the mob and was in the city jail. Mr. Heap said he told Turbiville
that if the facts related to him ^ere true, then Richards might as well be released. "When I got up
this morning" Mr. Heap says, "I found Richards had been released." Sheriff Grant stated he
followed the mob back to Monroe. Mr. Grant said he got to the courthouse about 1:30 A.M. and
saw no mob. Mr. Grant said he passed under the tree where McNeal's body was found suspended
this morning and he was not there. Sheriff Grant then went to bed in a room at the courthouse.
Nothing else found in the News-Star about this case.
June 8, 1918
Anti-vice committee met last night and the leaders of the committee believe that
conditions of immorality again are menacing the community. A resolution was adopted calling
on the authorities to dismiss Patrolman Tom McElwee from the police force. He allegedly used
abusive language to J. Arthur Smith, Chairman of the anti-vice committee. This happened
following a raid on an alleged immoral house in which both Mr. Smith and Officer McElwee
participated. Mayor Apgar notified the committee, and instructed Inspector Heap, that he would
suspend Mr. McElwee on a charge that the policeman used profane language. "That is as far as I
can go," the Mayor said. It was not found if Officer McElwee was suspended.
January 7, 1919
The commanding officer of Camp Beauregard stated: "All members of this command are
forbidden to visit the town of Monroe, Louisiana except on official business." The reason for this
order was because liquor was too easily procured.
June 27, 1919
News-Star headlines; U. S. Pictney Shot By Policeman While Crossing River Bridge.
The alleged, unprovoked, uncalled for and unwarranted shooting last night of U. S. Pictney, a
prominent citizen of Ruston, by Police Officer Charles F. Turbiville, while acting in his official
capacity of night watchman of the traffic bridge, came near resulting in a most regrettable
tragedy and has served to incite the good citizens of our neighbor city. Mr. Pictney was shot in
the left shoulder. Mr. Pictney and Mr. Sevier were attempting to drive across the traffic bridge
about 9:30 P.M. last night. They stopped at the fool of the bridge near the watchman's house on
the Monroe side. They signaled three times but as it was raining at the time, no watchman
appeared to collect their toll. They then drove forward onto the bridge and had proceeded about
100 feel when they heard an explosion which was at first thought to have been caused by a tire.
After the second of three shots were fired, Mr. Sevier remarked to Mr. Pictney that they were
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being shot at by someone. After the third shot, Mr. Pictney stated he had been shot. According to
the occupants of the car, the chain was down, no one appeared to collect their toll in response to
their signal, nor were they challenged to stop. Mayor Bernstein announced this morning that
Officer Turbiville had been suspended pending the results of an investigation.
The 1912 Charter states the traffic bridge across the Ouachita River, at the foot of
DeSiard Street, shall be open to the use of the public free from one hour before sunrise to one
hour after sunset; during the hours which the bridge is not open, the following rate of toll will be
collected by the keeper or watchman:
Teams of six animals
Teams of four animals
Teams of two animals
Team of one animal
Man on horseback
Foot passenger
Loose stock, per head
30 cents
25 cents
20 cents
15 cents
10 cents
5 cents
2-1/5 cents
Fee not found for a vehicle; however, it was found that an automobile could not be driven faster
than four miles per hour while on the traffic bridge.
October 22, 1919
Officer Walter Herold shot Phillip Snider last night about 10:00 P.M. as he was fleeing
from the officer. Officer Herold was placed on the force as an extra officer during the fair.
Officer Herold maintains that he shot at the ground, firing three or four shots. A call was sent to
the Monroe Police Department at 9:40 P.M. last night in reference to a disturbance in front of the
residence of S. M. McReynolds. Inspector Heap sent Officers Herold and Mangham and other
policemen to the scene of the disturbance. The father of Phillip Snider swears out a warrant for
Officer Herold charging him with shooting with intent to kill. April 23, 1920, ex-officer Herold
found guilty of assault with a dangerous weapon. Herold was fined $100.00 plus court cost.
November 12, 1919
Officers Clarence DeLand and Ed Renguette were suspended from the force. Officers had
arrested Charles Stewart for drunk and disorderly, resisting arrest and drawing and displaying a
dangerous weapon, a knife. Mr. Stewart stated he was injured by officers after they had arrested
him. Officer DeLand claims that Stewart's injuries, which were painful but not serious, resulted
while he was in a cell at City Jail. Mr. Stewart sprung upon the back of Officer DeLand and tried
to choke the officer. Officer DeLand asserts he then threw Mr. Stewart off his back and Mr.
Stewart struck his nose on an iron brace on the wall of the cell. Mr. Stewart then fell to the side
and struck his forehead above his eye. Officer DeLand also stated as officers were taking Mr.
Stewart to jail, he pulled a knife and that Officer DeLand slapped Mr. Stewart three times with
his open hand when Mr. Stewart tried to cut him.
November 11, 1919
Officers C. DeLand and E. Renguette were reinstated by Inspector Heap. The
investigation by Mayor Bernstein and Inspector Heap demonstrated that DeLand and Renguette
13
were simply acting in the line of duty and they were not responsible for the injuries of Mr.
Stewart.
March 9, 1920
Mayor Bernstein suspended Officer David Lemle from the force for using bad language
and disturbing the peace. Officer Lemle got into a disagreement at his boarding house on Adams
Street. Charges were brought against Officer Lemle. On March 11, 1920, he was found guilty
and was fined $150.00. March 15, 1920, David Lemle resigned from the force.
March 23, 1920
Monroe's power plant was destroyed by fire. The police force was doubled to meet this
emergency.
May 20, 1920
Inspector Heap and Assistant Inspector C. M. Lanier launched an anti-gambling arrest at
a house on South Grand Street. They were assisted b> Officers J. M. Husbands and Ed May.
June 3, 1920
Hugh Biggar, who had been City Marshal since January, 1912, was not re-elected and
was placed back on the police force. Officer Biggar first joined the force in September, 1898.
June 17, 1920
Inspector R. E. Heap resigned to become Superintendent of Streets and Landings. C. M.
Lanier, who was Assistant Inspector, was made Inspector.
July 28, 1920
M. C. Flewellen, Desk Sergeant, was promoted to Assistant Inspector.
July 31, 1920
A row at the Iron Mountain Railroad yard Thursday night involving a Monroe Police
Officer and others was aired in a city court trial before Judge Charles Schulze. E. T. Foster,
Missouri Pacific car repairer, was charged with fighting and resisting an officer. He was found
not guilty. Foster filed charges against Officer J. M. Husbands for using profane and indecent
language, fighting without a lawful cause and drunk and disorderly. Judge Schulze found Officer
Husbands guilty for fighting, drunk and disturbing the peace. He was fined $150.00. Inspector C.
M. Lanier dismissed Husbands from the force.
August 12, 1920
Inspector C. Lanier takes a leave of absence due to illness. R. E. Heap takes over as
inspector.
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November 4, 1920
Officer Hugh Biggar has been promoted to the office of Mounted Policeman and
Poundmaster for the City of Monroe. The News-Star states Officer Biggar is one of the oldest
members of the Monroe Police Department and a terror to evil-doers of the Ouachita Parish
Capital. As a Mounted Policeman, tie will be assigned to patrol the city at all times when on duty
and it is believed by the city administration the office will prove very effective for lessening
crime.
November 9, 1920
Policeman C. M. Earle, a member of the Monroe Police Force for the past four years, was shot
and perhaps fatally wounded by an unknown Negro in a shed near the Monroe Baking
Company's building on DeSiard Street between Seventh and Eighth Street this morning about
12:20 A.M. Officers Earle and Lee G. Parker, the latter a member of the force for the past month
or more, were fired on by the strange black man when they had made an effort to get the man to
leave his hiding place in the shed. The policemen, who have the Five Points beat, were on their
way to the business district when they saw a strange black run from DeSiard Street into the
property of the Monroe Baking Company. The actions of the Negro created suspicion and the
officers approached. The Negro fled into a shed and sought refuge behind a large box. Policeman
Earle went forward and used his flashlight at the door of the shed. "What are you doing here?" he
asked. "Come on out of there." The answer of the Negro was a shot, which missed its mark.
Officers Parker and Earle then stepped forward "and the Negro raised himself from behind the
box which concealed all except his head and opened fire again. Almost simultaneously, the
policemen opened fire on the Negro, shooting into the box. The officers thought the box was
empty, but it was packed with baking fixtures and hence the shots did not strike the Negro,
Parker emptied his pistol and Earle is reported to have shot four times. Earle fired after he was
shot, it is reported. The Negro used a .45 caliber automatic. After Earle was shot and Parker had
emptied his pistol, he stepped aside to reload his pistol, and in the intervening time, it is believed
the Negro made his escape.
The city and parish was searched, but officers were unable to find the Negro male. Mayor
Bernstein has offered a reward of one hundred dollars and Inspector Heap has offered twentyfive dollars for the arrest or any information leading to the arrest, of the unknown Negro who
shot Officer Earle.
Sometime during the night of November 9, 1920, Officer Earle died from his injuries. No
arrest was made.
March 1, 1921
C. M. Lanier, Inspector of Police, who has been in El Paso because of his bad health, has
returned to Monroe. Inspector Lanier has concluded he should return to the southwest for his
health. Mr. Lanier resigned as Inspector. R. E. Heap, former Inspector of Police, has been
reappointed. L. V. Tarver, City Detective, has been appointed Assistant Inspector but will retain
the position of City Detective. Mayor Bernstein made the appointments today.
15
March 25, 1921
The Ouachita Grand Jury met and its foreman, Richard Downes, Jr. , stated the jury
recommends that a "red light" or restricted district be established under proper medical and
police supervision.
March 26, 1921
Mayor Bernstein stated, "As long as I am Mayor, there will be no 'red light' or restricted
district in Monroe.
May 2, 1921
Monroe grocer and his wife found unconscious in pools of blood. Charles Lott and his
wife were victims of one of the most fiendish and puzzling attempts at murder ever known here.
Robbery is believed to have been the cause of the crime. They were rushed to St. Francis
Sanitarium at 7:00 A.M. this morning. Mrs. Lott died at 8:10 A.M. and Mr. Lott, it is stated,
cannot recover. Inspector Heap, Deputy Sheriff Milton Coverdale, Officer Lee Parker and
Detective L. V. Tarver found Lott and his wife in the same bed, beaten into insensibility, with
some sort of blunt instrument.
A full 1,000 people congregated at Fourteenth and Washington Streets where Lott's
Grocery is located. Everyone was watching to see what the bloodhounds could find. The owner
of the dogs made an appeal to the people to leave, declaring that it would be impossible for the
animals to take the trail and make a success if so many people congregated there.
June 27, 1921
Napoleon Davis, John Arnett and J. C. Thompson, prisoners of the municipality, escaped
from the Monroe City Jail Saturday night by sawing the bars from their cell and the run-around.
Bloodhounds were placed on their trail within an hour after their escape. The dogs followed on
the scent for hours, but failed to capture them.
October 3, 1921
Mrs. J. N. Green, residing in the vicinity of the Iron Mountain Depot, at which is known
as the Wimberly rooms, was shot in the lower Lobe of her right ear by Mrs. Celeste Magness,
Monroe Policewoman. Mrs. Magness asserts sne naa gone to the Wimberly rooms to inquire
about a young girl when she was attacked and choked. Mrs. Magness said she fired her pistol to
attract attention. Mrs. Green was arrested by Officer McCabe.
October 20, 1921
Officer Lee Parker was shot by an unknown person or persons about 1:00 A.M. this
morning in the vicinity of Vicksburg and Oak Street. Officer Parker's right arm received two
squirrel shots which inflicted painful, but not serious wounds.
John Adragna, an Italian, whose place of business is at the intersection of the two streets,
was arrested by the Lenard brothers, local policemen, on a charge of shooting to kill and was
placed in jail.
16
Officers Parker and W. W. Stearns had gone to the Vicksburg, Shreveport and Pacific
yards and arrested two Negroes. While taking the prisoners to jail, they walked by the Italian's
store on Vicksburg and Oak Street, when several dogs ran out and began to snap the officers'
heels. The officers kicked the dogs off and they came back again and then Officer Stearns shot at
the dogs three times, hitting one of them. The officers proceeded up Oak Street when somebody
shot Officer Parker. An investigation was made by Inspector Heap. John Adragna was released
by Inspector Heap. Sam Stanfa, an Italian, was later arrested on a warrant sworn out by Inspector
Heap. He was released on a $2,000.00 bond. The charge against Sam Stanfa is shooting with
intent to kill.
December 12, 1921
Officer J. McCabe shot and killed B. Brasbaum at 4:30 P.M. yesterday. Brasbaum had
advanced on Officer McCabe with a knife.
June 1, 1922
Inspector R. E. Heap submits his report for the month of May. Arrests made by officers:
Parker and Jones; Upper Beat, Day - 23
Thompson and Platt; Upper Beat, Night - 9
W. H. Lenard & Hayden; Five Points Beat, Day - 30
Henry and Ham; Five Points Beat, Night - 42
W. A. Lenard; Iron Mountain Beat, Day - 10
Frank Pettit; Iron Mountain Beat, Night - 14
Hugh Biggar; Traffic - 14
L. V. Tarver; Detective - 5
February 20, 1923
Willie Sumpter, Negro, objected to his wife wearing pants. Ethel Sumpter, however,
tried to explain to her irate hubby that wearing pants is the latest fad among the white women
folks, but Willie could not be convinced, and the trouble started.
Judge Charles Schulze, in court Tuesday, explained to Willie that in this age of women's
rights, his wife was perfectly at liberty to appear in the streets in men's pants. Willie agreed to
terminate the domestic warfare. Both were discharged.
April 6, 1923
Officer Wiley P. Mangham committed suicide by shooting himself at his room over Hipp
Mark's Dry Goods Store on South Grand Street. No reason other than he was in bad health. A
verdict of suicide was returned by the coroner.
June 26, 1923
Inspector R. E. Heap handed in his resignation to Mayor Bernstein. Inspector Heap will
take a position with the maintenance department. Mayor Arnold Bernstein has appointed
Lieutenant Colonel R. A. Young, Jr. to succeed R. E. Heap. Colonel Young has been a Louisiana
17
National Guard Officer for the past fifteen years. R. A. Young will take over the police
department on August 1, 1923. (At this point the title of Inspector of Police is changed to
Superintendent of Police. Mayor Bernstein is still Chief of Police.) Inspector Heap had been
Inspector of Police for six years.
July 2, 1923
City Detective L. V. Tarver was appointed Acting Inspector until Colonel Young takes
over on August 1, 1923.
July 30, 1923
Acting Inspector L. V. Tarver advised the News-Star that in the last twenty-four hours
intervening between 8:00 A.M. Saturday and 8:00 A.M. Sunday there were twenty-one arrests.
The arrests ranged from juvenile offenses to violations of the Hood Bill (Louisiana Prohibition
Law) and ran through the entire category of law violations.
August 1, 1923
Arrests for July 1923:
Pettit and Folmar; Upper Beat, Day - 4
Ham and Davis; Upper Beat, Night - 11
W. A. Lenard; Five Points Beat, Day - 11
Webb and Lee Parker; Five Points Beat, Night - 67
H. B. Parker; Iron Mountain Beat, Day - 5
Dave Lemle; Iron Mountain Beat, Night - 19
A. S. Keller; Traffic - 20
L. V. Tarver; City Detective - 4
February 18, 1924
Mayor Bernstein appointed Hamilton Head as City Humane Officer. He will be working
under Superintendent of Police Young. Head wil] enforce ordinances concerning prevention of
cruelty to animals. Licensing of all dogs is to be strictly enforced.
March 24, 1924
Final organization of the Monroe Police Relief Association was completed at a meeting
of the active members of the force. The constitution was adopted and Captain J. M. McCabe was
elected Chairman of the Board. Objects of the association, as outlined in the constitution, are to
provide financial relief for members during times of illness, misfortune or in the event of death.
Twenty-six members of the local force comprise the active membership. Election of the board
resulted as follows: Captain J. M. McCabe, Chairman; Patrolman H. E. Webb, Vice Chairman,
Headquarters Clerk Henry Mashaw, Secretary; Desk Sergeant M. C. Flewellen, Treasurer;
Patrolman A. H. Parker, Patrolman W. A. Lenard and Superintendent R. A. Young, Jr., Board
Members.
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August 12, 1924
In compliance with instructions of Mayor Bernstein, all officers of the police department
have just had their picture taken at the Griffin Studio. Uniform officers were taken in full
uniform, regulation blue coats and caps. A group picture will be taken later. The following
officers had their picture taken:
R. A. Young, Jr., Superintendent of Police
A. P. Glower, Patrolman
L. V. Tarver, City Detective
J. D. Busby, Patrolman
J. M. McCabe, Police Captain
S. D. Mallett, Patrolman
M. C. Flewellen, Police Sergeant
Henry L. Mashaw, Police Clerk
Frank Pettit, Police Sergeant
W. R. Lewis, Jailer (Joined the Force in 1894)
W. A. Lenard, Police Sergeant
W. H. Banister, Jailer
Hugh Biggar, Park Police
J. C. Anders, Bridge Police
F. K. Ham, Patrolman
Lee Fleming, Traffic Police
L. G. Parker, Patrolman
E. B. Glower, Traffic Police
H. H. Burns, Patrolman
V. W. Cummings, Traffic Police
H. B. Parker, Patrolman
Mrs. Anna Trousdale, Police Matron
Dave Lemle, Patrolman
A. H. Henry, Police Reserve
A. S. Keller, Patrolman
R. E. Heap, Police Reserve
H. E. Webb, Patrolman
Fred Pettit, Police Reserve
J. M. Hammons, Patrolman
September 1, 1924
The News-Star asked its readers if they have noticed the new red hand lights the traffic
officers are using at night. Mayor Bernstein went to New York and observed these lights being
used by New York Police. He had the company's representative send a few here for a tryout.
They are a small aluminum electric light fastened to the hand, either back or front, somewhat on
the order of a wrist watch. Does not interfere with the movement of the fingers. It is connected
by wires through the inside of the sleeve of the officer's coat. There is a pocket battery and it
weighs eight ounces. Its use the past two nights seemed satisfactory and it is likely they will be
used permanently.
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December 6, 1924
Superintendent of Police R. A. Young, Jr., was instantly killed as he stepped from a Ford
Coupe in which he was riding alone. The automobile became entangled in a live hanging electric
wire at North Third and K Streets at 9:00 P.M. last night. The most reasonable supposition is that
as he stepped from the car, his left foot was in contact with the running board and in placing his
right foot on the ground, the action formed what is termed as a short circuit; some 2,300 volts
passed through his body. He was 38 years old. He was appointed Superintendent of Police on
August 1, 1923. He was single. His only surviving relative is a sister, Miss Lone Young.
December 30, 1924
At a meeting of the City Council, they elected Captain J. M. McCabe as Superintendent
of Police. Mayor Bernstein advised it would be effective January 1, 1925.
February 10, 1925
The son of Police Officer W. H. Banister, address 514 Oak Street, was accidentally
electrocuted last night. Troy Banister, age 12, was walking along Jackson Street and touched a
chain on a pole at Layton Street and Jackson. This chain is used to lower or raise the street light.
Troy is the brother of Guy Banister (J.F.K. and Lee Harvey Oswald fame).
July 29, 1925
Officer F. K. Ham's automobile was stolen from his residence, 302 Layton, about 8:00
P.M. last night. His Ford Touring car was found destroyed by fire outside city limits on
Winnsboro Road.
August 12, 1925
Two local girls tried to deliver something to the city jail. They had removed a panel from
the jail door but were captured by Sergeant Parker and placed in the holding cell.
September 14, 1925
Moses C. Flewellen died at his residence, 317 North Second Street, on September 12,
1925. Mr. Flewellen had been on the police force since 1901 and had retired as Day Desk
Sergeant six weeks ago. His health declined rapidly and death resulted from Bright's disease.
September 22, 1925
City Detective L. V. Tarver shot and killed Etta Johnson, Negro woman, late yesterday in
the 800 block of Adams Street when she resisted arrest. Detective Tarver placed her under arrest
for being drunk when she refused to get off the streets. Arrogantly refusing to be carried to the
police station, the woman fought Detective Tarver and reached in her bosom as if to draw a
knife. When she did this, she was dropped by a bullet from the detective's pistol.
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October 28, 1925
Former police officer of Monroe Police Department, Clarence DeLand, was shot last
night as he and a fellow police officer of Winterhaven, Florida were making an arrest.
November 14, 1925
Whiskey is alleged to have caused Mabel C. Fullam of this city to receive a black eye,
bloody nose and a cell at police headquarters.
Last night police were informed that a drunken woman was creating a disturbance in
front of a local hotel. Superintendent of Police McCabe, Detective Tarver and Sergeant Lenard
arrived and learned the female had left with two men. A short time later they received a call to go
to the paved street which leads from Jackson Street to Winnsboro Road. There they found the
woman in a car and the windshield was broken. She was badly battered and bloody about her
face. Her male companions had deserted her. She was taken into custody only after she had given
the police a foot race for several hundred yards down the pavement.
December 7, 1925
Superintendent of Police James M. McCabe succumbs from what was diagnosed as an
attack of apoplexy at his home, 114 South Fifth Street at 10:00 P.M. last night. He was appointed
Superintendent on January 1, 1925. He had joined the force in 1894. He later left the force and
returned in 1918. H. D. Apgar, former Mayor, will become the Superintendent of Police on
January 1, 1926. L. V. Tarver will be acting Superintendent until then.
December 11, 1925
In line with a policy that has been adopted by a number of cities in curbing bank and
store robberies, L. V. Tarver, Acting Superintendent of Police, has offered a cash reward of
$25.00 to the first policeman that captures or kills a burglar in a store in the City of Monroe.
January 19, 1926
Superintendent H. D. Apgar has issued the following orders to the police; officers driving
cars will give special attention to cars which are parked on the wrong side of the street. We have
had quite a few wrecks in the residential section caused by this violation. Warn the offenders the
first time and then, the second time, bring them up to headquarters.
January 20, 1926
Superintendent H. D. Apgar states there has been an increase in burglaries. The police car
is patrolling the streets at all hours of the night and the patrolmen have been advised to arrest all
suspicious characters.
February 6, 1926
Former Police Officer W. B. Stevens was found guilty of selling illegal whiskey. He
received a fine of $500.00, plus 60 days in jail.
21
February 6, 1926
Officers Lee Parker and F. K. Ham stopped a Negro male who was carrying a large bag.
Upon checking the bag, it contained a gallon of moonshine. When officers started to arrest the
subject, he broke and ran. Officers gave chase and when he refused to stop, Officer Lee Parker
shot the male. He was found to be Floyd Johnson and was taken to St. Francis by officers. He
will be charged with possession of illegal whiskey.
February 8, 1926
Superintendent H. D. Apgar, called a meeting with all policemen today. He advised them
they will be perfect gentlemen at all times. They are not to spit on the sidewalks, chew tobacco
or gum. They are not to talk too loud or too much. They are to mind their own business and not
meddle with others. Apgar says it is better to talk too little than too much. A gossipy man does
not make a good policeman.
March 10, 1926
Superintendent Apgar stated the new traffic ordinance will go into effect. There will be a
policeman at Sixth and DeSiard Streets and one at South Grand and DeSiard Streets from 7:00
A.M. to 7:00 P.M. with relief at noon. He requested only those who have business use DeSiard
Street as a thoroughfare. If one has no business on the street, do not use DeSiard as a driveway
for pleasure. There is too much joyriding up and down DeSiard Street. The police will not harm
legitimate driving of anyone doing or having business on DeSiard Street. All others should use
Washington or Grammont Streets.
April 2, 1926
Malcolm Lawrence, former Police Officer and Superintendent of Police, passed away. He
was appointed Superintendent on June 11, 1915 by Mayor Apgar.
April 2, 1926
Widow of late Superintendent of Police J. M. McCabe was appointed matron for the
police department. When the pool is open, she will be assigned there. For now, she will be at the
railroad depot and bus station.
June 23, 1926
An order, which it is believed will break up the practice here of minors driving
automobiles, has been issued to the police by Superintendent of Police H. D. Apgar.
Police have been instructed to file charges against the parents of all minors found driving
a car on the streets of Monroe. Minors, if found operating a car, will not be allowed to drive the
machine any farther, but will be made to park the car at the nearest curb. Parents of the offender
will be notified.
22
October 6, 1926
To Patrolman Lee Parker goes the new felt hat, offered by Superintendent of Police H. D.
Apgar several days ago, to the first officer who captured an automobile thief. Last night Officer
Parker arrested H. K. Griffin who is alleged to have stolen an automobile from North Fourth
Street.
October 14, 1926
Charley Goodson, who has been the object of a search by police and federal narcotics
agents for the past three or four months, was arrested on the streets of Monroe yesterday by
Patrolman F. K. Ham. Goodson is being held in the city jail here pending the arrival of narcotics
agents from Shreveport. A federal warrant was issued for Goodson following the interception by
a narcotics agent of a package of "dope" which Goodson is said to have placed on a bus leaving
the city for delivery at Urania.
November 5, 1926
The report of R. E. Heap, Secretary of the Monroe Police Relief Association for the month of
October, shows that the organization was in prosperous and flourishing financial condition at the
end of last month with a cash balance of $1,271.17 in the treasury on November 1.
January 3, 1927
Superintendent of Police H. D. Apgar has added more beats in the city.
Beat number 1, Fourth Street west to the river, north to Louisville, south to
Layton Avenue. Day, C. W. Platt; Night, T. H. Edmiston and H. L. Mashaw.
Beat number 2, Fourth Street east to Ninth Street, north to Louisville and
south to Layton Avenue. Day, V. W. Cummings; Night, H. B. Parker.
Beat number 3, Ninth Street east, south to the old power house and east of
Grammont Street. Day, J. H. Hammons; Night, H. E. Webb
Beat Number 4, Old power house east along Illinois Central track to Layton
Avenue, then south to Plum Street, east from Grammont to eastern limits of
city. Day, A. P. Glower; Night, F. K. Ham.
Beat number 5, McHenry and Jackson Streets, all south of Plum Street. Day,
J. C. Anders.
Beat number 6, all north of Louisville Avenue. Day, H. Biggar
E. B. Glower and L. G. Parker are assigned as Special Officers with the entire
city for a beat, but with special attention to be given to the business section.
The traffic officers and their corners are, J. D. Busby, Sergeant; J. M. Busby,
Grand and DeSiard; R. J. Goza, Jackson and DeSiard; A. S. Kellar, Third and
DeSiard; 0. L. Miles, Special School and Speeders; Ed Harper, as in the past,
is driver of the patrol wagon from 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M.; Mrs. J. M. McCabe
23
is police matron; L. V. Tarver, City Detective; Burt Thurmond, Day Desk
Sergeant; D. T. Flanagan, Night Desk Sergeant; H. H. Burns, Night
Bridgeman; A. L. Cornett, Day Bridgeman; W. H. Lewis and W. H. Banister,
Jailers.
January 19, 1927
Seven women and four men, all white, were arrested in a raid at 9:30 A.M. in the
rooming house establishment of Mamie Baird, 625-1/2 DeSiard Street. The rooming house
operations covered the second floor of a large two story building. The first floor is the Owl
Grocery and a pool hall. Armed with a search warrant, Superintendent of Police H. D. Apgar,
Sergeant Frank Pettit and Officers V. M. Cummings, A. P. Glower, Ed Harper and Sergeant J. D.
Busby made a surprise raid at the morning hour. The four men arrested are charged with
possession of liquor and violating the anti-vice ordinance. The seven women were charged with
possession of liquor, anti-vice ordinance and vagrancy. Mamie Baird was charged with
possession of liquor and running a disorderly house for immoral purposes.
January 22, 1927
At City Police Court, it was found Mamie Baird had obtained an attorney to fight the
charges of possession of liquor and operating a disorderly house, and her case was reset for later.
One of the women had put up a $50.00 cash bond and did not show for court and her bond was
forfeited. The total fines assessed against the four men and five women was $3,312 or a total
alternative of 2,412 days in jail.
June 13, 1927
With the return to duty of Sergeant W. A. Lenard and Officer H. B. Parker of the City
Police force after a ten day vacation, Night Desk Sergeant D. T. Flanagan and Officer H. E.
Webb came next in order and their ten day vacation went into effect Sunday. Officer F. K. Ham
is acting as Night Desk Sergeant in the stead of Sergeant Flanagan while the latter vacations.
Officer Ham and Day Desk Sergeant Burt Thurmond are next in line.
Sergeant Frank Pettit is at present on the sick list and absent from duty as a result of the illness.
The members of the City Police force will vacation two at a time until all will have had a
vacation.
June 26, 1927
Beginning today, there will be no traffic officers on DeSiard Street. Pedestrians will be
aided in crossing the street, but the officers will not attempt to control the flow of traffic as usual,
states Superintendent of Police H. D. Apgar. "What's the idea, Chief?" asked a News-Star
reporter. "Well, a number of our citizens have the idea traffic officers interfere with traffic rather
than aid in its orderly movement. It's a hobby with some citizens to Keep preaching that to us.
They might be right. We are just going to see." "How long are you going to conduct this
experiment?" pressed the reporter. "Until we find out who's right in their observations of how to
handle traffic, the police or those advocating the free and unmolested flow of traffic, no matter
how congested," was the reply.
24
Although Mr. Apgar did not give out the statement, it was learned a company selling light traffic
directors will install one at the corner of Grand and DeSiard Street at their own cost to see if the
adoption of such a system in Monroe is feasible.
July 2, 1927
A check shows the traffic is handling itself on DeSiard Street equally as well without
traffic officers' directions, if not a shade better.
Traffic on DeSiard Street has also seemed less congested, but some say the weekend will prove
in truer fashion whether traffic can handle itself or not. The weekend will be closely observed.
August 2, 1927
Another traffic experiment is under way. Traffic Officer 0. L. Crow has been temporarily
supplied with a motorcycle upon which he is to patrol the outlying streets for ten days, arresting
speeders, those failing to observed stop signs and others who commit infractions of the various
city traffic ordinances.
The test was really begun Saturday when Traffic Officer R. J. Goza spent the day on the
motorcycle on the eastern portion of DeSiard Street with results.
August 5, 1927
Overrunning stop signs, speeding and irregular and overtime parking seem to be the chief
traffic violations in Monroe, in the opinion of traffic officers.
Superintendent of Police H. D. Apgar, Traffic Officer J. M. Busby and Sergeant W. A.
Lenard all agree that these violations are most common.
Traffic Officer 0. L. Crow, who went on duty this week as a motorcycle cop, states he is
finding speeding first, irregular parking second and turning around on right-of-way streets third.
Officer Busby said that "jelly beans and flappers" were the worst speed offenders, while he gave
the women folk a shade of a majority over the men on running over stop signs.
August 9, 1927
The Sam Brown belts ordered by Superintendent of Police H. D. Apgar for the new
uniforms of the force, have arrived and now every member will be dressed alike.
August 13, 1927
Bearing the scars that come from faithful devotion to duty performed for nearly a score of
years as a deputy in the sheriff's office of the parish and for more than a quarter of a century as a
member of the Monroe Police Force, William Lewis, or "Uncle Bob" as he is known, is today a
patient of St. Francis Sanitarium. "Uncle Bob" now fast approaching his eightieth birthday, is all
alone in the world as to close kin. He is on the rolls of the local police staff, being an honorary
member of the force.
He was taken from his rooming house several weeks ago to the local hospital for better
care than otherwise possible.
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"Uncle Bob" was born in Veron, Jackson Parish, in 1848. He came to Ouachita Parish to
live in 1867. He was too young to go to war; he had his horse picked out and was ready to go but
he was under age and the Civil War ended before he was old enough to enlist.
He felt that his duty was to care for his parents rather than marry. He cared for his parents
until they died. He was too old at this time to marry and had little desire to marry.
He was for 17 years, as nearly as he can recall, a deputy sheriff. This covered a period
which embraced such strenuous days as the reconstruction period. He served during this time
under George Hamilton, Negro sheriff. The Negro sheriff could not make bond, which was made
by a white man, a Mr. Whitehead, who served as actual sheriff. Under him, "Uncle Bob" acted as
deputy.
On May 1, 1891, "Uncle Bob" left the office of deputy sheriff to join the Monroe Police
Force, being one of the first uniformed officers of the city. While engaged in his duties on a
Christmas eve not long after he had joined the force, he lost all sight in his left eye. He tried to
stop some street hoodlums from shooting a Roman candle. The candle was discharged close to
his face and the eyeball of his left eye was torn open and he has been sightless in his left eye ever
since.
"Uncle Bob" was attacked by a drunken man he was arresting for being drunk, the man
advanced toward "Uncle Bob" and pulled a knife and sank it again and again into the side of
"Uncle Bob". The assailant was arrested and held pending the outcome of "Uncle Bob", which
threatened to become fatal. For many weeks "Uncle Bob" hovered between life and death, then
he surprised his friends by slowly recovering. His assailant was released under a bond of $100.00
which he forfeited and was never again heard from.
One other time that "Uncle Bob" had a close call was about seventeen years ago when he
with a fellow officer, attempted to arrest a counterfeiter. Just as the officers had placed him under
arrest, he whipped out his pistol, struck "Uncle Bob" over the head, discharged his gun and
escaped. A scar on the veteran's body is a grim reminder of the encounter.
"Uncle Bob" says one of these days he will be back downtown. His doctors will not let
him leave the building. However, "Uncle Bob" plans to leave and surprise his friends.
August 24, 1927
Thomas Harris, Alias Burl Baker, Alias Thomas Walker, Alias Johnny Harris, Negro
male, escaped from the city for the second time when he took French leave from the St. Francis
Sanitarium last night. The Negro had professed to be suffering from asthma and had been
removed from the jail to the hospital for treatment, being chained to the bed with an anklet.
His escape was effected by sawing the chain that bound his leg to the bed. It is believed
that a Negro woman aided in the escape.
Thomas Harris was arrested in Blanks quarters on the night of August 2 by Captain E. B.
Glower and Sergeant Frank S. Pettit after he had enjoyed a vacation of six years from a sentence
hanging over him. He first escaped on December 31, 1921, where he had sawed through the bars
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with a smuggled hacksaw. He was serving time for larceny of a saddle and a shotgun. He will
have about eight months still hanging over him if he is recaptured.
November 8, 1927
Officer Hugh Biggar, age 65, and the oldest active member of the Monroe Police force, is
in St. Francis Sanitarium in a serious condition. The cause of his illness, it is believed, being
attributable to a shot lodging in his abdomen on the morning of August 24, 1909, when a crazed
Negro went wild with a shotgun and wounded 29 Monroe citizens. The officer has been on the
police force for years, changing for a long period once to become City Marshal.
November 21, 1927
The Monroe Police Department has 28 active members, including Superintendent of
Police H. D. Apgar and City Detective L. V. Tarver. The oldest active member is Sergeant F. S.
Pettit, who came on the force June 1, 1908, and has remained on it continuously since.
The next oldest in service is City Detective L. V. Tarver, who came with the department
on June 1, 1912. He is also Assistant Superintendent of Police. He maintains the most complete
rogue's gallery and criminal record to be found in the city. Detective Tarver has the unusual
ability of remembering criminals on sight, regardless of how minor their first offenses or how
short their stay in the city bastille.
H. D. Apgar, Superintendent of Police, took over his present position on January 1, 1926.
Formerly, he had been Mayor of Monroe from 1915 to 1919. Superintendent Apgar is well liked
by all his men and is popular with the people of Monroe.
A veteran of the force who recently fell ill is Officer Hugh Biggar. He joined the force in
September, 1898. He later became City Marshal in January, 1912. He was City Marshal for
eight years. He returned to the force in June, 1920. He was almost killed by a Negro male in
1909 after the Negro male had wounded 29 people.
The real veteran of them all is "Uncle Bob" (W. R. Lewis), who has been a retired
member for the last four to five years. As he grew older, he was given the position of jailer and
finally became too feeble to attend that position, and was retired. The most rapid promotion has
come to Captain E. B. Glower who came with the department on January 15, 1924. For some
time he was desk sergeant and was more recently promoted to captain, ranking next to Detective
Tarver and second to Superintendent Apgar. Present desk sergeants are, Day, Burt Thurmond;
Night, D. T. Flanagan. The former came with the department on October 1, 1925, and the latter
on July 25, 1925. These are the men that handle the books in police headquarters, receive calls
for police service and dispatch the men to the scene. They check up on the officers' movements
and whereabouts through hourly reports by the officers to headquarters by phone.
There are two police sergeants, Frank S. Pettit and W. A. Lenard. J. D. Busby is traffic sergeant.
Sergeant Lenard came on the force on January 1, 1926, and Sergeant Busby on July 1, 1926.
The ten patrolmen under Sergeants Pettit and Lenard, and the date they joined are: F. K.
Ham, May 3, 1920; L. G. Parker, August 1, 1920; H. E. Webb, November 1, 1923; H. B. Parker,
June 1, 1923; J. M. Hammons, August 15, 1923; A. P. Glower, December 15, 1923; V. W.
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Cummings, January 15, 1924; J. C. Anders, January 16, 1924; C. W. Platt, September 1, 1925;
and B. L. Brantley, August 1, 1927.
The four traffic officers under Sergeant Busby and the dates they joined are: A. S. Kelly,
October 1, 1920; R. J. Goza, July 1, 1926; J. M. Busby, July 1, 1926; and 0. L. Crow, April 1,
1927.
Ed Harper has been pilot of the "Black Maria" or patrol wagon since September 1, 1926.
(This wagon is believed to have been pulled by horses or mules.) W. H. Banister, with the
department since January 16, 1924, is keeper of the city bastille and city court attendant.
Officer H. H. Burns, who joined the department on July 1, 1923, and Officer A. L.
Cornett, who joined on December 15, 1926, tend the traffic bridge and collect night tolls.
November 23, 1927
Monroe Police Department has received twenty-four tailored uniforms for the winter
season. The uniforms come with caps, coats, trousers and are a departure from the former
double-breasted type. The fabric is of blue melton cloth and is suited for winter wear. The
uniforms are to be accompanied by a Sam Brown belt and strap. The new type of uniforms were
suggested by Superintendent of Police H. D. Apgar and D. A. Haas of Sig Haas and Sons
Company.
December 6, 1927
Four men were arrested by Desk Sergeant Burt Thurmond and Detective L. V. Tarver and
charged with possession of intoxicating liquor. The men neglected to pull down the curtain in a
room on the third floor of the Hotel Virginia. This hotel is directly across from Police
Headquarters and the men were seen by Desk Sergeant Thurmond.
Sergeant Thurmond said he saw a Negro porter come into the room, the curtain being up and the
light on, and hand a bottle of liquor to the three men. Mr. Thurmond and Mr. Tarver raided the
room, found the bottle of liquor and arrested the three men and the porter with possession of
intoxicating liquor.
December 27, 1927
The funeral of Officer Hugh Biggar, age 64, was well attended yesterday morning at St.
Matthew's Church. Mr. Biggar's death occurred at 8:45 P.M., Saturday, December 24, 1927, at
St. Francis Hospital where he had been in precarious condition for five or six weeks.
This death removes one of the oldest policemen of the city. Mr. Biggar joined the force in
September, 1898. Mr. Biggar had an encounter with a Negro male in 1909 who had shot 29
people. Mr. Biggar was seriously injured and to the time of his death, carried a number of
birdshot in his body from this shooting.
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January 30, 1928
Officer J. C. Anders arrested a subject by the name of Sims at 504-1/2 DeSiard. In route
to the city jail, the subject broke and ran. Officer Anders gave chase and fell down and the
subject escaped.
February 1, 1928
The newly instituted motorcycle squad which was announced yesterday by
Superintendent Apgar did not waste time in starting to function. By noon the officers had made
eight arrests. One of the arrested subjects pled guilty in court for doing 35 miles per hour on
South Grand Street. He was fined $15.00. Officers Goza and Crow made the arrests.
February 25, 1928
Two new automobiles were delivered to Monroe Police yesterday. One was a new
Chevrolet sedan for the use of Sergeants Pettit and Lenard. The other was a Ford sedan for
Detective Tarver. This is a second recent step towards a "motorized" department, the first being
the addition of two motorcycles.
May 3, 1928
The new traffic signals in the business district are operating very satisfactory, H. D.
Apgar, Superintendent of Police, said today. Some motorists rush the lights, he said. They start
before the green light shows or continue entering the intersection after the yellow or caution light
goes on.
May 23, 1928
W. M. Harper, local attorney named City Judge in the last election, was administered the
oath of office in the courthouse yesterday. Charles E. Schulze, retiring City Judge, who has
served in that post for more than twenty-five years, had not returned from Baton Rouge.
May 24, 1928
The Hood Bill, Louisiana's Prohibition Law, may be changed in Baton Rouge. There is a
proposal to repeal the bill.
May 25, 1928
Officer B. L. Brantley was found guilty of using profane and indecent language and
George Vollman was acquitted by City Judge W. M. Harper following a trial of both in court
yesterday.
The Judge imposed a suspended fine of $5.00 on the officer. The two defendants
preferred charges against each other following a difficulty at the salt water natatorium during the
course of a wrestling match. Officer Brantley was stationed on the outside to keep spectators
away from the windows.
Mr. Vollman's testimony was he and a friend were trying to get the attention of one of the
fans at the match whom they wanted to talk to and were looking through one of the windows.
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Officer Brantley, Vollman testified, pulled him down and asked him with profanity if he was
trying to break into the jail. The officer again cursed him and ordered him away.
Mr. Vollman went to headquarters to prefer charges against the officer, but was told he
would have to see Superintendent Apgar. Mr. Vollman again went to the natatorium and talked
to Superintendent Apgar. Mr. Apgar advised he would investigate the matter and that Vollman
and Officer Brantley should be in his office at 5:00 P.M. the next day.
Vollman stated he met Officer Brantley at the corner of the natatorium as he was leaving
and advised him of what Mr. Apgar had said. Officer Brantley cursed him again and put
handcuffs on him and they walked nearly downtown and then they caught a street car.
Vollman was placed under bond on the charge of acting in a disorderly manner and the
following morning he lodged the charge against Officer Brantley.
May 26, 1928
Superintendent of Police H. D. Apgar, stated today he believes the police department has
the robber who held up the street car motorman last night. Sergeant F. S. Pettit arrested Dan
Willcox as a suspect. The motorman, D. R. Duke, saw the suspect on the streets today and
recognized him as the robber. Mr. Duke advised police and the suspect was arrested. Mr. Duke
was robbed of $12.00.
June 4, 1928
Officer J. M. Webb, new member of the motorcycle squad, was injured in a crash with an
automobile driven by James Greenan.
The officer escaped with only a broken wrist and minor bruises and abrasions. Officer
Webb was turning the corner from Wood Street onto Catalpa Street at a rapid pace, with his siren
sounding its warning, when the motorcycle and auto smashed together.
Officer Webb was thrown from the machine with violence. He was carried to the St.
Francis Sanitarium by several persons.
June 8, 1928
The first Police Relief Association Ball at the Virginia Hotel last night was exceedingly
successful from all standpoints and the enjoyment of the dancers assures that it will become a
popular annual function. The dance was held on the roof garden of the hotel. The cool breezes
and excellent music by the Kentucky Blue Boys Orchestra made the dance an ideal one.
H. D. Apgar, Superintendent of Police, states the Relief Association took in $1,100.00.
June 13, 1928
A new traffic ordinance was adopted by the City Commission. Ten thousand copies of
the new ordinance are to be printed and distributed. Some of the highlights of the new ordinance
are:
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Compulsory brake inspection every three months of all cars driven within the
city limits by an official brake inspector with a maximum charge of fifty cents.
Elimination of the left hand turn onto Grand Street while traveling towards the
bridge on DeSiard Street and from Jackson Street onto DeSiard Street.
Boosting the speed limit outside of the business district to 25 miles per hour and
allowing a speed of 25 miles per hour within the business district where and
when traffic is being controlled by signal lights.
A new and important section of the ordinance regards taillights. This prohibits
any person either to drive or park an auto on a street or alley at night without
burning and displaying on the rear of such motor vehicle a taillight.
June 18, 1928
A police raid at 3:20 P.M. Sunday on a house located in a first class residential section
netted a supply of beer and beer making equipment, plus four arrests.
Captain E. B. Glower and Sergeant F. S. Pettit made the raid at 719 Walnut Street and
arrested Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Barrow, E. W. Barrow and Catherine Lewis. They were charged
with possessing home brew. Brought to police headquarters were two cases of beer, bottle
capper, syphon and crock.
August 4, 1928
Due to the large number of hold-ups which are being reported from all parts of the state,
Superintendent H. D. Apgar yesterday ordered his men to use every precaution to keep the city
free from transient and loitering class who are believed responsible for that type of crime.
Officers were instructed to take into custody every man who is unable to give satisfactory
account of himself. Every man, white or black, who fails to satisfy you as to his being employed
by someone in this city, either bring him to jail for investigation or take him to the city limits and
see that he keeps moving.
August 11, 1928
Some bad liquor must have been imbibed here last night. When confronted by the
prospect of going to jail at 7:00 P.M. yesterday, Esther Eason, who has been taken into custody
several times by the police in the last year, kicked her feet through the windshield of the auto she
was riding. She also struck several times at Sergeant J. D. Busby, who had stopped the vehicle. A
charge of drunkenness was lodged by Sergeant Busby and Officer J. M. Webb. J. M. McElroy
was at the wheel and was booked for driving a car while drunk.
September 10, 1928
A feat that is remindful of the escapades of Jessie James or "Billy the Kid" was
performed by Clifford Whitford here Saturday night. He escaped from police twice; once by
automobile, taking advantage of the superiority of a car over a motorcycle in racing over bumpy
and sandy alleys. His second escape was by the heel and toe route. It all came about when
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Whitford was stopped by Officer J. M. Busby for doing 50 miles per hour. Officer Busby told
Whitford to proceed to police headquarters, which he did.
Upon arriving at city hall, Whitford turned off his headlights and proceeded to drive
away at a fast rate of speed. Here is where he gave Officer Busby the slip. A pile of sand used in
construction of the Monroe Hotel was located in the narrow road in back of city hall. Busby saw
the speeding cat strike something, twist and almost upset. Officer Busby had to slow down so as
not to have an accident. When he did he lost sight of the vehicle.
The vehicle was found to have been rented from Frank C. Eason. The vehicle was
returned to Mr. Eason by a girl. Officer B. L. Brantley followed the girl and she led him to Mr.
Whitford.
Officer Brantley took Mr. Whitford into custody. Not having heard of his previous
escape, the patrolman did not cuff Mr. Whitford. He marched the prisoner to city hall and they
started up the stairway to police headquarters. The lights in that section of the city were out.
Whitford was able to vanish and run away from Officer Brantley. Charges of speeding and
resisting an officer are held against Whitford.
September 3, 1928
Three men were arrested for gambling at room 449 of the Virginia Hotel. Officers R. J.
Goza, L. G. Parker and Pat Glower entered the hotel from the rear and proceeded to the room.
After gaining entrance, they found a pair of dice and a canvas covered table. There was no
money in sight but the three admitted having a friendly game. Walter Williams, W. B. Gilbert
and J. C. Campbell were arrested.
October 13, 1928
Sometime last night safe-smashers entered Lee-Rogers Chevrolet Company on North
Fourth Street. They entered and made their getaway over the roof. The Yeggs (safecrackers) took
one thousand dollars in cash and $3,319 in checks. The checks were found on the roof. The
Yeggs forced open the safe by prying and hammering on the safe. Superintendent of Police H. D.
Apgar, Detective L. V. Tarver and Sheriff Milton Coverdale are investigating the burglary.
October 18, 1928
Yesterday police headquarters received a call from a subject who wanted to know if they
had any whiskey. After he was advised they did he told them to deliver it to an address in the
city.
Yesterday afternoon Sergeant F. S. Pettit, Officers H. E. Webb and L. G. Parker raided a
dwelling at 115 Magnolia Street. They found a gallon jug full of whiskey. They arrested Vienna
Brownfield, who was there at the time.
Police state she has a chauffeur who drives her around making deliveries. Information is,
they state, the chauffeur would alight from the car in front of a house where a delivery is to be
made and walk to the door with the Brownfield's baby in his arms. The whiskey is concealed in
the baby's clothing.
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November 13, 1928
Five speeders were given slips (tickets) by the motorcycle squad yesterday and last night.
(In the past, speeders were arrested. This may have been the first time tickets were issued.)
November 16, 1928
Motorcycle Officer J. M. Busby received painful injuries when he was thrown to the
pavement today at 8:45 A.M. in an unavoidable accident at the intersection of Grand Street and
Texas Avenue. A cotter key fell out and allowed the brake rod to hang loose, leaving his
motorcycle devoid of braking power.
When the rider of the motorcycle pulled up behind a turning vehicle, he discovered he
had no brakes. He was forced either to turn to the right onto the grass or squeeze in between the
car and the right curb. He chose to turn toward the curb. He was caught by the car which threw
him to the pavement. Officer Busby received painful abrasions on the knee cap and leg.
November 16, 1928
Two men from the newly created State Bureau of Criminal Identification were in Monroe
today to assist local authorities in establishing a bureau of criminal identification. Superintendent
R. L. Whitman and Assistant Superintendent W, H. Long of the State Bureau of Identification,
fingerprinted all of the prisoners in the parish and city jails.
The fingerprinting was done for the purpose of a demonstration to the local peace officers
and to stir up interest in the establishment of a local bureau.
City Detective L. V. Tarver has in the past taken prints of prisoners in special cases
where there is a strong suspicion they are fugitives from justice in other places. There has never
been a systematic fingerprinting of all arrested prisoners.
The State Bureau of Criminal Identification was established by the last session of the
legislature which appropriated $36,000.00 per year for the expenses. Its headquarters are located
in Shreveport.
The members of the bureau are empowered to make arrests anywhere in the state. They
are given the same powers as a sheriff, chief of police or constable.
The bill passed by the legislature makes it the duty of any sheriff, chief of police or city
marshal to fingerprint anyone arrested. These forms are to be filled out in duplicate and
forwarded to the bureau in Shreveport.
The superintendent is empowered to require all pawn shops and second hand dealers in
the state to file with the bureau daily, on forms furnished by the bureau, all articles bought or
taken in pawn and the description of person selling or pawning the items.
December 6, 1928
W. H. Banister, City Jailer, has started fingerprinting all prisoners as recommended by
the State Bureau of Criminal Identification.
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Mr. Banister, with a few days experience, is now turning out prints that are as clear as
those taken by any bureaus in large cities. Two copies are made from each person arrested, one
to be mailed to Washington B.C. and the other to the State Bureau in Shreveport.
December 13, 1928
Following the ruling against slot machines handed down by Judge Percy Sandel in
district court, and also acting on the advise of District Attorney D. J. Garrett, Superintendent of
Police H. D. Apgar gave out instructions to policemen to see that all "punchboards" are ordered
out of places of business in Monroe.
Accordingly there was a sudden disappearance of these boards from cigar, drug stores,
groceries and other places where they have flourished for some time unhampered.
January 3, 1929
Superintendent H. D. Apgar posted a bulletin notifying all members of the police
department that one hour instructions conferences will be held twice weekly beginning January
8. Tuesday and Thursday will be the regular day of the meeting; the night shift men will meet
from 5:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. and the day shift men will meet from 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.
Mr. Apgar, Detective L. V. Tarver and Captain E. B. Glower will be in charge of the
meetings. These meetings will be held in the court room at City Hall. Mr. Apgar said the object
of the police instructions were to make the officer more efficient in the discharge of his duties by
bringing up for solution difficult situations which he is sure to encounter at some time or other in
his career.
Mr. Apgar also envisioned the time in the near future when the police force of Monroe
will be on an eight hour tour of duty. The time of shorter hours and better pay, with the attending
raising of the standards expected of an officer, which will be brought about by civil service
system, is coming. To prepare for this new era of policing is one of the purposes of these
meetings.
March 20, 1929
Several shots were exchanged last night when Patrolman C. W. Platt came upon an
unidentified man apparently trying to break into the old Louisiana Flour and Feed building at
Ouachita Avenue and South Eighth Street.
When walking through the vicinity known as Newtown, Officer Platt saw a man jump off
the platform of Aubrey Bruner's store. As Officer Platt started walking toward the man, he
started running off. Officer Platt ordered the man to halt. When he did not stop, Officer Platt shot
at him twice. The man kept running and turned onto Tenth Street, running in between some
houses. When the officer reached these houses, the man he was pursuing turned and shot at the
officer three times. Officer Platt returned fire and followed the thief to the rear of the houses,
where he lost him. The officer described the man as being tall and slender and having a slight
limp. He wore a blue overall jumper, dark pants and an old hat.
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April 4, 1929
If anyone found a shortage of fowl in his chicken coop this morning, he may find two of
his missing birds at Police Headquarters; the other six, packed tightly in a sack and screened up
in a box, smothered to death.
The eight chickens, apparently stolen and then dropped by the thief for some reason, were
discovered by 0. T. Guest along the Illinois Railroad near the point where it crosses the Missouri
Pacific. The case was reported to Patrolman L. G. Parker, who brought the two live birds, one
black and the other red, to Police Headquarters where they are awaiting the rightful owner.
April 8, 1929
A cloudy mixture of dishwater and whiskey was brought to Police Headquarters as
evidence by Sergeant F. S. Pettit, Officers Pat Glower and H. E. Webb. The officers had made a
raid on a house on Eleventh Street near the Illinois Central Crossing. Mary Williams and Emma
Hodge were arrested on the charge of illegal possession of whiskey. One of the ladies poured a
little over a quart of whiskey into some dishwater as the officers entered the house.
April 12, 1929
R. W. "Uncle Bob" Lewis, one of the pioneer citizens of this vicinity, a Confederate
Veteran and a long time member of the Monroe Police Force, passed his 81st birthday at his
room at St. Francis Sanitarium. He received a birthday cake with 81 candles from his friends. He
likes to receive visitors, especially those who know and like to talk about the "old days."
May 25, 1929
J. M. Busby, motorcycle officer, was painfully injured this morning in an accident which
occurred about 11:00 A.M. on South Grand Street in front of the new A & P Store while he was
chasing a speeding automobile.
Traveling south on Grand Street at the rate of 45 miles per hour, he was following closely
behind an auto driven by a woman whose identity is not known. She passed a second auto going
in the same direction and had cleared it. The officer was trailing behind the second auto when it
turned into the store driveway, cutting off the motorcycle and causing a spill. The officer
received a deep cut on his right shoulder and bruises, but his condition is not serious.
July 6, 1929
"I didn't know I was passing the Judge" was the plea made by Clarence Hester, who was
arrested for speeding by Judge W. M. Harper. Hester stated he was in a hurry because he had to
make a run after 5:00 P.M. in the truck he was driving for Slagle-Johnson Lumber Company.
The Judge was driving 25 miles per hour, the speed limit, when the truck passed him. Judge
Harper dismissed Hester with the understanding he would call a meeting of other drivers of the
company and advise them not to speed.
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July 25, 1929
On August 1, 1929, the Monroe Police Department will change their tour of duty from twelve
hours to eight hours a day. Officer B. L. Brantley has been promoted to the rank of sergeant and
will become the third desk sergeant.
September 11, 1929
A. S. Keller, officer of the Monroe Police Department, was injured this morning when he was
struck by a car driven by Belman U. Duvall of San Antonio, Texas. The officer was struck by the
side of the car at the corner of St. John and Harrison Streets. Officer Keller was thrown to the
pavement and suffered a laceration on the left side of his face. He was taken to St. Francis where
his condition was found not serious.
October 22, 1929
Police Officer 0. L. Crow and Mrs. 0. L. Crow, residing at 228 Pargoud Drive, received
burns this morning at their residence. Mrs. Crow arose about 6:30 A.M. to light the gas heater.
She allowed her gown to sweep too near the flames. It caught fire and began burning swiftly.
Mrs. Crow threw herself onto the floor and began screaming. Mr. Crow, attracted by her cries,
tore the clothing from his wife. Mrs. Crow was considerably burned on her hips and legs. Mr.
Crow was burned on his left hand.
October 30, 1929
J. H. Harden, of Waskom, Texas, was accused of attempting to break into the city jail
shortly after midnight Monday. He told Judge W. M. Harper he was not planning to get back into
jail, but just before leaving on a freight train for Waskom he remembered one of his friends in
jail did not have any cigarette money. Although Harden only had $1.10, he wanted to give his
friend $1.00. Harden could not remember his friend's name. He was given a suspended sentence
of 10 days and advised to leave town.
November 1, 1929
Superintendent of Police H. D. Apgar, passed away last night's Halloween visitations
unafraid. However, his blue car showed a yellow streak where some goblins ran yellow paint
down the side of his car.
D. T. Flanagan, Day Sergeant, reported all kinds of black cats, wing-flapping bats and
other ghoulish creatures visited his home. He didn't mind the visit until the creatures began to
throw rocks at his home. They stopped after he threw some back at the ghosts.
J. M. Busby, driving one or the city police cars and accompanied by two other police
officers, spied a man who appeared to be drunk, driving a car ahead of him. Officer Busby
started off in pursuit but ran over a wagon wheel someone had placed in the street. The wheel
flew up and broke the crank case on the city car. This ended the pursuit of the drunk driver.
Halloween ended without too many problems. A large number of street lights were
broken out.
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November 1, 1929
The sweet potato crop raised in the city garden has just been harvested and placed in the
basement of City Hall. There are more than 100 bushels of the potatoes, according to W. H.
Banister, City Jailer, and most of them are large ones.
This is the first year the city has undertaken to raise a garden. Success was met with a
large supply of fresh vegetables being raised during the growing season. Work of raising the
vegetables is left to city prisoners. It means those in the city jail have excellent meals of fresh
vegetables during the summer.
November 25, 1929
The City of Monroe gets a revenue of approximately $40,000 per year from the traffic
toll bridge spanning the Ouachita River. The toll bridge, municipally owned, is operated by the
police department. This requires from two to four men from the force all the time.
November 25, 1929
Superintendent H. D. Apgar has an ambition to make Monroe known throughout the
length of the land as "The City of Friendly Policemen", and that is why there are no mean
looking men to be found among the 30 or more of "the finest" that constitutes the city's splendid
police force.
Monroe citizens are justly proud of the city's splendid police organization and duly
appreciative of the fine spirit behind it.
November 29, 1929
Police Officer F. K. Ham has been promoted to the rank of police sergeant and has been
assigned to the 10:00 P.M. to 6:00 A.M. shift. Sergeant W. A. Lenard resigned last night. He has
been on the force for eight years. Mr. Lenard has not announced his plans for the future.
December 5, 1929
Monroe Police Officers last night were so close on the trail of two or more burglars that
in one instance several shots were fired at a fleeing man. In the other they saw the burglar's car
leave a store which had just been entered and pursued it to learn the license number.
At 3:45 A.M., Officers C. W. Platt and J. M. Busby noticed Faser's Drug Store at 2217
DeSiard Street had been entered. At that moment a white man broke from the front of the store
and started running, with Officer Platt in pursuit. Busby at that time was near the rear door. Platt
pursued the intruder for a considerable distance and fired several shots, but was unable to
overtake him before he ran into Negro quarters and disappeared.
At 3:05 A.M., Officer C. H. Sisson and W. G. Banister saw a Chevrolet roadster drive
away from Pierce's Pharmacy, 623 DeSiard Street. They attempted to get the license number but
were unable to do so. After the burglars made their escape, it was found that several watches
were taken from Pierce's Store and nothing was found missing from Faser's Store.
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Officers are of the opinion if they can succeed in shooting a few burglars as they attempt
to make their getaway from the scene of their crimes, it will make the burglars less anxious to
continue such ventures.
December 7, 1929
Believed seriously wounded while fleeing from officers after being cornered by them in a
Negro house in Lieber's quarters, Ernest Dixon, Negro, wanted in a number of places in
Louisiana for breaking and entering charges, was thought to be hiding in a shack in the vicinity
in which he was shot.
A tip had been received at Police Headquarters that Dixon was in a Negro house near the
intersection of Twelfth and Oak Streets. Sergeant F. S. Pettit and Officer L. G. Parker were sent
to arrest him.
On arrival at the house Pettit went to the rear of the house while Parker entered the front.
According to the officers, Parker fired once at the Negro as he attempted to get away. Dixon then
ran out the back door into the arms of Pettit. They grappled for a time and fell over into a muddy
ditch and Pettit succeed in striking Dixon once on the head with his pistol. The officer stated they
struggled for about two minutes before Dixon broke away.
As Dixon ran down the railroad track, Parker shot several times but did not hit him. A
number of railroad employees were working on the track. Officers called to these men to head
Dixon off. When he saw his way blocked, he climbed a high fence enclosing the railroad yard.
While on top of the fence, his clothing became entangled and he was not able to free himself.
Parker at that time, he stated, drew a full bead and fired. Dixon dropped to the ground but ran
again. He fell several times before disappearing from sight. A Negro woman whose house Dixon
ran by, stated he was badly wounded.
Dixon had recently escaped from Hamburg, Arkansas where he was being held for
breaking and entering. A search was made and officers were unable to locate Dixon.
December 9, 1929
W. H. Banister, City Jailer, had resigned to accept a position with the Ouachita Parish
Sheriff's Department. The resignation is effective January 1, 1930. C. W. Dent, Illinois Central
Railroad Switchman, had been employed to take Mr. Banister's place.
Mr. Banister has been a city officer for six years, the last five and a half as city jailer. It
has been exactly a year since Mr. Banister began keeping fingerprint records and he has built a
good file of prints.
Superintendent of Police H. D. Apgar and members of the City Administration highly
recommend Mr. Banister to Sheriff Milton Coverdale. "We regret very much having to lose Mr.
Banister, who has been a capable and satisfactory man," said Mr. Apgar, "but we are glad to see
him get the additional salary which the change will bring."
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December 20, 1929
Police Sergeant B. L. Brantley, who was injured at midnight last night in a collision on
DeSiard Street, was reported to be resting well at St. Francis Sanitarium.
Officer J. M. Busby, who was driving the police car, and Officer C. H. Sisson, received a
number of minor bruises. W. A. Myatt, driver of the automobile which collided with the police
car received a cut on his lip. It was stated the police car was struck on the side by Myatt's car
which entered DeSiard from North Fourth Street. The police car was knocked up on the sidewalk
where it crashed into and broke a lamp post. Both cars were almost wrecked and it was stated it
was doubtful whether the police car could be used again.
Charges of driving an automobile while intoxicated and of reckless driving were placed
against Myatt. Myatt agreed to pay for the damage inflicted on the police car.
December 23, 1929
L. W. Powell has been employed as a regular member of the Monroe Police Force.
Powell donned his uniform and went on duty this afternoon. The new officer served on the force
during the time H. D. Apgar was mayor. F. K. Ham is now Night Desk Sergeant.
January 16, 1930
A strange request was made at noon today of Day Desk Sergeant D. T. Flanagan. A man
called at the station and asked for a pistol and foi permission to use it on another man at 1:30 this
afternoon.
The man who made the request stated he had just been discharged from a hospital and
was in no condition to fight. Another man weighing more than 200 pounds had promised to meet
him at 1:30 P.M. and "beat him up." The man who made the request stated he did not feel like
fighting with his fists, so he felt he should be provided with a more effective weapon.
Sergeant Flanagan advised him to swear out a warrant and have the other man placed
under a peace bond. Sergeant Flanagan also advised him it was against the regulations of the
police department to provide weapons for those who wished to duel. Some of the others present
told the man to stay indoors until 2:00 P.M. when the danger would be past.
February 10, 1930
At 1:00 A.M. this morning Officer D. J. Bedsole shot and killed Taylor Douglas who had
broken into Tom Joseph's store at the corner of Ninth and Calypso Streets.
Officers Bedsole and Jack Radford had been given information a Negro male had broken
into the store. Upon arrival they heard someone in the store. Bedsole stationed himself at the
front of the store while Radford went to the rear. Officers called to him telling him the place was
surrounded with officers and that he would be shot if he did not come out and surrender. Officers
then called the owner of the store to turn on all the lights. When Douglas heard this he started
cursing loudly, stood up and rushed at Officer Bedsole saying, "I've got you now." With Douglas
almost on top of him, Officer Bedsole fired three shots. The first two struck Douglas so close
together in the left breast that they made one hole.
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Although struck squarely by two .44 caliber bullets, Douglas rushed forward, knocked
the officer's pistol upward in time to avoid the third shot and then bore Bedsole to the ground.
Douglas tried to get Bedsole's weapon; at this time Officer Radford ran around the store to aid
Bedsole. Douglas then jumped up and ran behind the store and fell down.
Officer searched the body and found a number of items he had taken from the store.
February 18, 1930
Police Officer R. J. Goza is constructing a pistol range to be used during the Peace
Officers Convention to be held here March 14. Mr. Goza hopes to make the range substantial
enough to withstand any ordinary pistol fire and to continue in use after the close of the peace
officers meeting. He hopes it will be used frequently by local peace officers for target practice.
The range is located about three blocks this side of Forsythe Park, just off Seventh Street.
April 23, 1930
An announcement was posted at police headquarters today that 29 members of the force
are entitled to a 10 day vacation this year.
H. D. Apgar, Superintendent, L. V. Tarver, City Detective, and E. B. Glower, Police
Captain, will take their vacations at whatever time they can best be spared from their offices. Ed
Harper and J. M. Webb, now in charge of automobile brake inspections for the city, will take
their vacations at any time during the season when they can most conveniently relieve each
other, as well as H. H. Burns and A. L. Cornett.
Other officers entitled to vacations were listed as follows: B. L. Brantley, J. M. Busby, J.
D. Busby, E. F. Brown, D. J. Bedsole, 0. L. Crow, C. W. Platt, C. H. Sisson, H. B. Parker, V. W.
Cummings, F. S. Pettit, F. E. Buick, L. G. Parker, A. P. Glower, F. K. Ham, H. E. Webb, D. T.
Flanagan, J. C. Anders, Burt Thurmond, A. S. Keller and R. J. Goza. (I counted only 28
members.)
April 29, 1930
Police officers this morning at 2:30 A.M. went on a bear hunt in the north side of the city
but finally were obliged to abandon the search without finding any game.
Two men who had been cruising around that portion of the city reported to Officer E. F.
Brown that they had just seen a big black bear. They declared they stopped the car and looked
closely at him and were positive they were not mistaken. A police car was sent out and officers
failed to find anything that resembled a bear.
Officers thought the bear had escaped from the city zoo. Will Atkinson, Commissioner of
Streets and Parks, was called and he advised no bear had escaped from the zoo because no bears
are kept at the zoo.
It was hinted that the idea of the bear's escape might have originated from excitement in
connection with the appearance here last night of Governor Huey P. Long.
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May 9, 1930
Immediate steps to bring about enforcement of the city ordinance requiring quarterly
testing of automobile brakes will be taken, H. D. Apgar, Superintendent of Police, stated today.
Persons who fail to comply with the ordinance will be arrested and brought into court in the
same manner as those who violate other traffic regulations.
"Everyone living in Monroe and having an automobile must have the brakes on his
machine tested. In the future those who are not able to produce a brake testing certificate when
accosted by a traffic officer will be required to appear in city court for trial" said Mr. Apgar.
May 12, 1930
The task of enforcing compliance with the city brake testing was in full swing today under the
direction of the police department. More than 25 persons had been arrested before noon and
officers were still stopping automobile operators and sending them to headquarters if they were
unable to produce brake testing certificates.
Those arrested were required to make bonds of $25.00 each to assure their appearance in
court this afternoon for trial. They will be tried for this offense and are expected to be fined, if
found guilty. They will still face the necessity of having their brakes tested or being arrested
again the next time they are caught operating their cars.
July 18, 1930
After battling police officers for two hours yesterday afternoon, Betty Cook, 50, Negro
woman, was finally shot to death at her home.
The woman used a revolver, shotgun and a rifle in carrying on the fight and held a second
rifle, four large pocket knives, a hatchet and two bottles of carbolic acid in reserve. She was
plentifully supplied with ammunition for all the weapons.
The shooting occurred at the woman's residence at 1301 Breard Street. The last shot was
fired by the woman, but when officers reached her side they found her body had been pierced by
five bullets.
While officers were attempting to subdue the woman with tear gas, she set fire to the
house and then fled through a rear door of the blazing building, taking refuge in tall weeds at the
rear of the house. Getting behind a tree, she fired at officers about 25 times before succumbing to
wounds inflicted by the officers' fire. In all, she fired about 35 times.
Before the battle had ended, about 2,000 people had gathered at the scene. It was
considered extraordinary that none of the woman's bullets found a human mark. Dr. C. P. Gray,
Parish Coroner, empaneled a jury and its members returned a verdict that the woman was "killed
by police officers in the discharge of their duties after being fired on by Betty Cook."
Yesterday morning at 11:00 A.M., Police Captain E. B. Glower, Sergeant F. S. Pettit and
Officer J. M. Busby went to the woman's home to arrest her for failing to comply with the
ordinance requiring that she have sewer connections made at her home. They could hear
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someone moving around inside, but were unable to get a response. They decided to leave and
return in the afternoon.
About 2:30 P.M., Captain Glower and Officers D. J. Bedsole and C. H. Sisson went to
the house. Again they could hear movement inside but were unable to get the occupant to come
to the door. Knowing the woman was inside, they decided to force entrance.
Officers Bedsole and Sisson kicked the door open a short distance. It was fastened with
three locks and a wardrobe had been placed against it to reinforce the door. When Officer
Bedsole peered through the partly open door he was greeted by two shots from a revolver, the
bullets narrowly missing his head. He stated he could easily have shot the woman at this time,
but believed she could be captured without the necessity of injuring her.
Realizing that the woman planned to fight to the end, Captain Glower called for
reinforcements and Officers V. W. Cummings, Pat Glower and W. G. Banister arrived shortly
with tear gas shells. A number of these were fired into the house. Often bullets whizzed
dangerously near the officers.
Shortly afterward, the woman set fire to the house and then fled out the back door, firing
at the officers several times as she ran. All six of the officers fired simultaneously in response,
but the woman reached a tree behind which she hid, holding the smoking revolver in her right
hand and a keen bladed hatchet in the left. She fired the final shot and then for a time all was
silent. On approaching, officers found the woman's body.
After the woman had fled the house, the fire was extinguished by the fire department.
September 1, 1930
Superintendent of Police H. D. Apgar was at his desk at police headquarters when around
noon he became ill and had one of the officers take him home. Arriving at his home at 1002
North Fifth Street, the Police Superintendent suffered a heart attack and collapsed. The family
physician was summoned and he ordered Mr. Apgar to bed. Mr. Apgar rallied from this attack,
but at 3:30 P.M. he suffered a second heart attack and died five minutes later. He was 65 years
old.
Mr. Apgar was elected Mayor in 1916. Following his term as Mayor, he was associated
with the S. B. Hicks Automobile Company. In 1926, Mayor Arnold Bernstein appointed Mr.
Apgar Superintendent of the Monroe Police Department.
September 3, 1930
L. V. Tarver, City Detective, was appointed Superintendent of Police by Mayor Arnold
Bernstein, to replace H. D. Apgar who died of a heart attack.
Mr. Tarver became employed with the Monroe Police Department on June 1, 1912. In
1916 he was made City Detective by Mr. Apgar, who was serving as Mayor at the time.
Mr. Tarver had been offered the office of Superintendent of Police several times before
but had declined because he preferred to remain as the City Detective. He has served as acting
Superintendent on a number of occasions when the police superintendent was out of town.
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Mr. Tarver announced no immediate changes would be made in the personnel or working
hours of the present force.
November 5, 1930
When Traffic Officer O. L. Crow, astride his motorcycle, motors to downtown streets
after eating his noon meal at home, he exercises a restraining influence on motorists who are
traveling in his direction.
Traffic cops are human and after eating a hearty meal they do not crave immediate
physical exertion. They travel slowly to downtown streets. At such times a lengthy procession of
automobiles may be found following a traffic cop. A motorist waiting at a side street will enter
into the procession. He will then pass several automobiles in front of him until he is near the
head of the procession of cars. At this time he observes the symbol of law and order and will
slow down and join in the "funeral" procession.
Officer Crow continues to travel within the speed limit and by the time the procession
reaches downtown streets it will involve many automobiles.
April 15, 1931
Officer E. T. Harrison was fired upon from ambush last night. He escaped from being
struck by bullet. He was searching for three white male tramps in the Missouri Pacific Railroad
yards. Officers searched the area but were unable to find anyone.
May 14, 1931
Officer J. R. Butler found a case filled with six half-gallons of whiskey in an automobile
which was abandoned. A service car arrived and the driver advised Officer Butler he had been
sent to tow the vehicle. Officer Butler ordered the vehicle held for the police department.
May 23, 1931
Officer Charles Sisson, 28 years old, fractured his left leg in two places. His motorcycle
collided with an automobile at DeSiard and Sixth Streets. V. C. Rogers, cab driver, turned his
vehicle in front of Officer Sisson1s motorcycle.
June 11, 1931
Mrs. E. N. LeVasseur, wife of Officer LeVasseur, frightened off a burglar at her
residence, 207 Malvern Street, last night at 11:00 P.M. Mrs. LeVasseur fired a pistol one time at
the burglar. Officers searched but were unable to find anyone.
June 18, 1931
Superintendent of Police L. V. Tarver stated Captain E. B. Glower will resign effective
July 1, 1931. Sergeant F. S. Pettit will be promoted to captain.
Officer O. L. Crow will resign, and Officer J. M. Webb resigned last Monday.
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Mr. Tarver stated he had not decided whether the vacancies will be filled. He declared
action on the resignations was taken for the good of the force and also as a matter of economy.
July 22, 1931
Officer Joe Anders, the other day, called upon C. H. Sisson, motorcycle officer who is a
patient at St. Francis due to an injury. After his departure, a goldfish, one of a pair, was missing.
A report was made to the police department and Mr. Anders was "called on the carpet" by his
supervisor. "A serious charge is lodged against you," stated the supervisor. "It may cost you a
fine, or even your job." Officer Anders got nervous at once. At this time a phone call from St.
Francis informed the supervisor the fish's body had been found. It had evidently committed
suicide by jumping out of the bowl. Anders' face resumed its usual smile.
July 27, 1931
If you want to throw a wild party, be sure the neighbors won't object, and that the
neighbors are not members of the Monroe Police Force who are trying to get much needed rest.
J. H. Litton, Delia Chadwick and J. O. Bickham, residing at 104 South Third Street, have
decided to make certain investigations about the above lines the next time they feel like partying.
The oversight landed them in the city jail Sunday on charges of being drunk and disorderly and
disturbing the peace and sleep of Sergeant T. F. Flanagan. He resides two doors down the street.
Sergeant Flanagan was roughly jerked from pleasant dreams when a hilarious chorus of
voices singing "Sweet Adaline" was wafted on the still night air.
Sergeant Flanagan appeared and placed the joyous ones under arrest. Officers I. M.
Causey and H. T. Ward took the offending ones to jail.
July 31, 1931
After a hot chase of several blocks, Charles Ellis was captured by Captain F. S. Pettit and
Patrolman V. W. Cummings near the Kellogg Lumber Company yards Friday morning.
Ellis is alleged to have threatened the life of Jessie Taylor, residing at 1018 Calypso
Street. Ellis also threw bricks and tore the screens.
When arrested, officers found a .45 caliber revolver on Ellis. He is said to be wanted on a
housebreaking charge.
August 6, 1931
Monroe Police arrested a total of 207 persons during the month of July, it was revealed in
the monthly report issued yesterday by L. V. Tarver, Superintendent of Police.
The total amount of fines assessed was $3,327.50. Of this sum, $672.50 was collected;
$342.50 was staid; $328.30 was appealed and $1,984 was charged to the streets.
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September 10, 1931
W. R. Lewis, age 83, known here for many years as "Uncle Bob" Lewis, veteran Monroe
Policeman, died at noon today at St. Francis Sanitarium. Lewis had been a patient for the past
five years.
Mr. Lewis was a police officer for the City of Monroe for so many years that the exact
number of years could not be ascertained. L. V. Tarver, Superintendent of Police, knew Mr.
Lewis as a police officer for 35 years (See August 13, 1927 for information on Lewis).
October 27, 1931
Police Officer "Big Boy" Cummings, who was reared in a hardy school, noted among
fellow youths for his deeds of physical strength and stamina, and who later distinguished himself
tinder fire on the battlefields of France, has been accused of being afraid.
It happened this way. Officer V. W. Cummings, stationed at the intersection of South
Grand and DeSiard Streets, saw a woman driver "run past" a yellow caution light. Later the
officer saw the same woman repeat the performance, this time "running past" a red stop light.
Then she turned the corner and parked her car. The 265 pound, six foot officer approached her
automobile and courteously informed the driver she had violated traffic regulations. The woman,
unabashed, retorted, "Why do you pick on a woman? Why don't you bawl out some men drivers?
You are afraid, that's the reason."
December 3, 1931
Two city prisoners escaped from the jail between midnight and 3:00 A.M. this morning,
Frank Reitzell, City Jailer, reported to L. V. Tarver, Superintendent of Police. They escaped by
sawing a bar from the west side of the jail. After getting through the barred window, they
reached the ground by going down the fire escape.
The prisoners were G. C. Reynolds and Joe McGuire. Reynolds was sentenced on
October 16 to pay fines of $108.50 and to serve thirty days for possessing and transporting
whiskey. McGuire was held on a charge of stealing clothing valued at $66.00. He was to be
transferred to the parish jail as the charge against him was a state offense.
F. K. Ham, Night Desk Sergeant, was notified of the break about 3:00 A.M. this morning
after an alarm had been sounded by the other prisoners. None of the other prisoners tried to
escape. It is believed a visitor passed the saw to the prisoners,
December 30, 1931
A Buick sedan stolen recently in Vicksburg, Mississippi was recovered late last night by
Officer H. H. Burns at the traffic bridge. Two young men who were riding in the car deserted it
and fled up the river bank when the officer ordered them to park the car out of the path of traffic.
Sergeant k. P. Glower and Officer G. W. Horton made a careful search, but the two men were
not apprehended. Police were holding the car for the owner.
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April 10, 1932
An unidentified youth broke and ran, escaping from Patrolman Brueck who had arrested
the youth and another man for fighting.
The fight took place at a hall on Jackson Street where a dance was in progress. The two
men started fighting on the steps leading up to the hall on the second floor. Patrolman Brueck,
who was inside the dance hall, came down the stairs and separated the fighters, arrested them and
started to the city jail. As the officer turned the corner at St. John and Harrison Streets, one broke
away and ran back towards the dance hall. As Officer Brueck started after him the second
prisoner attempted to run, but was caught by Officer LeVasseur before he had gone a block. He
was booked at the police station on a charge of fighting, the other subject was not found.
April 16, 1932
Sergeant A. P. Glower and Officers G. W. Horton and E. P. Harrison arrested Marshal J.
Doucet, 38, for liquor possession. He was arrested driving a sedan containing 88 half-gallon jars
of liquor. He is the alleged "Cajun" liquor runner from Washington, in St. Landry Parish.
April 20, 1932
When Police Officers L. G. parker and D. J. Bedsole, wearing plain clothes, saw Herbert
Nelson walking along the street with a half-gallon jar of whiskey under his arm, they asked him
what he intended to do with the whiskey. He stated he wanted to sell the whiskey. When the
officers took Nelson before L. V. Tarver, Superintendent of Police, Mr. Tarver asked Nelson
how much he wanted for the whiskey and he refused to set a price.
Nelson was booked on a charge of possessing whiskey. He is scheduled to be tried in
City Court this afternoon.
June 1, 1932
Twenty years ago, L. V. Tarver became a member of the Monroe Police Department. He
was elected to the force by a majority of one vote of the City Council. One vote started him on a
career as one of the most successful peace officers in Louisiana.
In 1916, Mr. Tarver was made City Detective. He held that position until he was made
Police Superintendent when H. D. Apgar died in September 1930.
June 7, 1932
Announcement of wage cuts for all city employees was made yesterday following a
meeting of the commission council. P. A. Poag issued the short statement in the absence of
Mayor Arnold Bernstein, who left for Baton Rouge immediately after the meeting. The statement
was as follows: "Effective with next pay-day, all salaries and wages of city officials, including
Mayor and Commissioners, and employees have been reduced at least ten percent. With
elimination of employees, the percentage of reduction on the total payrolls of the city amounts to
more than ten percent."
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Mr. Poag said he was not authorized to enlarge on the statement by giving figures or
disclosing the number of employees discharged.
July 25, 1932
Police officers early yesterday morning fired a number of shots at a man believed to be
the Negro male who had held up and robbed a number of persons at Smoot Field. Evidently the
Negro escaped without being hit, as a search after daylight failed to show any signs he had been
wounded.
Near the spot where the bandit was first seen, the officers said they found a mask made of
a towel. The robber had cut eyeholes in it and had attached strings to the sides.
The shooting occurred after Officers R. J. Goza, E. P. Harrison and C. W. Platt had gone
to the field in a sedan with the intention of trying to capture the bandit who had haunted the field
during recent weeks. Officer Harrison was at the steering wheel with Officer Platt at his side and
Officer Goza in the rear seat. As they started to leave, Officer Goza said he saw a man standing a
few feet from the car with a rifle leveled at Officer Harrison. Officer Goza emptied tiis pistol at
the man and Officer Harrison fired two shots. The man escaped.
August 2, 1932
Charles H. Sisson, Police Officer, who still walks with some difficulty, leaning on a cane
due to a serious accident sustained many months ago, was pausing for an instant on DeSiard
Street not far from the Paramount Theater. Up to him approached a badly crippled man whose
manner indicated he was a "down and outer". "Say buddy," he declared, "loan me a nickel to get
a cup of coffee." "Say you", came back the quick rejoinder, "I'm working this side of the street,
you stay across from here where you belong!" The man proceeded to obey the instructions.
Meanwhile, Officer Sisson chuckled with high glee.
October 26, 1932
Monroe Police have scored another praiseworthy accomplishment. A series of
housebreakings, store robberies, shootings, street car robberies and holdups have been cleared
up. The guilty persons have been quickly apprehended and sentences have been meted.
This accomplishment has been possible because the department has been adept in picking
up clues and following them until they led to the implication of the guilty persons.
At the helm of this crime detection force stands a veteran of more than 20 years service.
Superintendent of Police L. V. Tarver, who rose from the ranks of the bluecoats 18 years ago,
served as detective for 16 years and has served in his present capacity for two years.
Newspaper reporters find the Superintendent in his office, at work, at midnight, three or
four o'clock in the morning, and any hour of the day.
This relentless work of the Superintendent is contagious. His men are never irked by
extra duty or the fact they rarely experience a day or night off their shift. They are entitled to one
shift off each month, but are customarily absent from this shift only in event of some business
requirement or out of town on a trip.
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The police department is composed of 32 men. Their positions are as follows;
superintendent, one captain, six sergeants, one secretary, one jailer, two plainclothes men, three
motorcycle officers and seventeen patrolmen, two of whom are assigned to a patrol car each
shift. The department has one woman on its roster, employed as matron at city hall and jail.
Eight hours is the period of each working shift. However, each officer is on duty every
hour he is awake and stirring about.
Officers walking beats report to headquarters by telephone every hour. Officers in patrol
cars and motorcycle officers also report every hour.
Emergency communications between headquarters and patrolmen walking beats and
motorcycle patrolmen is established by means of red lights which are flashed on DeSiard Street
by the desk sergeant. He turns a button to flash the lights. Officers seeing this light will then call
police headquarters for any instructions. (These lights were used into the 1960's to alert the
officers walking a beat.)
January 3, 1933
A severe flesh wound in the leg was received by Frank V. Reitzell, City Jailer, this
morning when his pistol was accidentally discharged. The bullet entered his right leg just below
the hip and traveled almost straight downward, emerging just above the knee.
The accident occurred just after Mr. Reitzell had escorted a messenger from the post office to
one of the banks. He had drawn his pistol from its scabbard and in some way the hammer was
caught and drawn back as he started to replace the weapon.
After the accident he was taken to St. Francis Sanitarium. He was reported to be getting along
nicely.
January 4, 1933
Police Officer Joe Anders who was struck by an automobile Wednesday night of last
week is recovering rapidly from his injuries and is expected to return to his regular duties
tomorrow.
January 5, 1933
Arthur J. Tatum, 80, died early this morning. Mr. Tatum served for a long time on the
Monroe Police Department in its early years. His last position was that of desk sergeant. He
retired from active service in 1919.
January 16, 1933
While trying to escape from police officers who were attempting to arrest him, General
Carradine, 37, Negro, living at Wisner, was shot and instantly killed by B. H. Grayson. The
shooting occurred near the intersection of Ouachita and Eighth Streets.
Shortly before the shooting, Officers A. L. Cornett and B. H. Grayson answered a call on
Mississippi Street. They observed a car driven by Carradine zig-zagging across the street. The
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officers stopped the car. When one of the officers got out of the police car, the stopped car
suddenly sped away. The officers gave chase at speeds of about fifty miles per hour. The driver
stopped the car and jumped from the car, attempting to escape on foot. Officer Grayson gave
chase. The shooting occurred as Carradine turned as if to attack the officer and reached for his
hip pocket.
Coroner's verdict, after an investigation, was the deceased, General Carradine, came to
his death from a gunshot wound of the head, inflicted by Officer Benny Grayson of the Monroe
Police Department. It was found to be a justifiable homicide, as the deceased had resisted arrest
and while trying tc escape, had made a motion as if he intended drawing a concealed weapon.
March 23, 1933
"Red" Brown, patrolman, ran into a man-sized proposition when he arrested a young
woman Monday afternoon on DeSiard Street on a charge of drunk and disorderly. She started to
comply in a meek manner when the officer informed her that she would have to go to jail.
Down St. John Street they proceeded, the patrolman having her arm firmly held in his right palm.
But when the pair had reached a point in front of the post office, a different mood seized her.
"Let me go!" she demanded. "Red" found he had no ordinary young woman in tow. It
took considerable strategy and physical strength to right matters and proceed on the remaining
way.
All again went well until the paving was reached, located north of the First Baptist
Church, where she threw herself prostrate to the cement street.
Efforts to raise her in graceful manner were of little avail. Cars were approaching in
threatening manner. Three men appeared and with their aid, "Red" carried her to the bastille
across the street. He says he has little desire to be called upon to make an arrest of more militant
females of this sort.
April 12, 1933
The Monroe City Ordinance that prohibits trafficking in whiskey and other liquors not
allowed under the provisions of the new beer ordinance, will be rigidly enforced, states
Superintendent of Police L. V. Tarver. This ordinance makes it a violation to manufacture,
possess, transport or sell whiskey and those who violate it are subject to heavy fines and jail
sentences.
September 22, 1933
R. E. Heap, who used to patrol the streets of Monroe a few years ago, now and then gets
reminiscent. His beat was in the downtown section -there was little but a "downtown" section
then, anyway - and the railroad bridge and back alleys comprised a large part of the areas
covered. When on the beat but a short time, he observed at daybreak one cold morning the figure
of a woman. She walked carefully out on the bridge, leaned forward and then drew back and
retraced her steps. Efforts to overtake her were in vain.
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The next morning at 7:00 A.M., she repeated the trick. The officer was sure that this was
a case of a would be suicide but the person hadn't yet gotten up sufficient "nerve". Heap hurried
to talk to his fellow worker, Officer Frank Pettit, about the suspicions he had observed; but Pettit
let out a huge laugh. "You durn fool, don't you know that's Miss Kay getting the river gauge."
October 19, 1933
An extraordinary whiskey manufacturing "plant" was located and destroyed Wednesday
night by Captain F. S. Pettit and Officers J. M. Busby, L. G. Parker and D. J. Bedsole. According
to the officers, they found four large stills operating simultaneously in the woods in Lemleville
addition.
Officers destroyed about thirty gallons of whiskey and ten barrels of mash which was
ready to run. Streams of whiskey were pouring out of the coils of the four stills when the officers
arrived and about two gallons of whiskey was said to have been run after the officers arrival
before all the apparatus was destroyed.
Four Negroes were at the stills when the officers approached, but the stills were in an
open space and it was impossible for the officers to approach without being seen. The Negroes
fled and it would have been impossible, police said, to have stopped them without shooting them.
October 24, 1933
That Monroe officers are adept in making arrests, it goes without saying, but not until
Tuesday did a member of the local force turn to "arresting" ducks.
Early in the morning, Officer H. B. Parker observed a large and plump mallard duck
flying in a zig-zag course as if possibly having too much "firewater" imbibed. She (it was a hen)
flew against a telephone wire and then, descending, struck the plate glass of the New South Drug
Company's front window at DeSiard and South Grand Streets.
Such an unusual and un-ducklike performance was too much for Officer Parker, who
quickly on the scene apprehended the bird with his strong right hand. Pending taking the
offender to City Hall for proper entry on the desk sergeant's blotter, Parker confined the duck to
the shelter house at the end of the traffic bridge.
The officer failed to state what charge will be entered in this case, cut it is said he has
visions of a bounteous Sunday dinner soon.
It is believed the duck got lost from its fellows and became weary from its long flight, fell
easily into the hands of the law.
October 26, 1933
In letters written by Superintendent of Police L. V. Tarver, ambulance drivers of this city
have been requested to restrict the rate of speed at which they travel on the downtown business
streets. This was done as a measure against the danger of a serious accident as a result of fast
driving.
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Drivers were asked not to exceed 25 miles per hour on non-right-of-way streets and not
to exceed 45 miles per hour on right-of-way streets in the business district. They were also
requested not to travel on DeSiard Street except when absolutely necessary and to keep off the
other heavily traveled streets as much as possible. In regard to travel on DeSiard Street, the
police superintendent asked that all ambulances use Grand Street instead of Jackson Street in
reaching DeSiard Street when answering a call on the west side of the river.
Mr. Tarver said he talked with a number of physicians and had been informed that only in
rare instances does the time saved by fast driving of an ambulance matter materially to the
patient.
January 8, 1934
While trying to escape arrest, Herbert Looney, Negro male, age 30, was shot and fatally
wounded by police about 3:00 A.M. Sunday morning.
Looney was arrested for the killing of Clarence Williams, Negro male, age 35, whom
Looney was said to have stabbed with a knife.
Police helping in the capture were Sergeant A. P. Glower and Officers I. L. Causey, H. T.
Ward, E. M. LeVasseur and H. H. Douglas. It is not known which officer inflicted the fatal
wound as several fired at him.
January 12, 1934
Theft of a purse from her automobile was reported to police headquarters by Mrs. A. H.
Bubb, police matron, at the Municipal Natatorium during swimming season. The purse was taken
while the automobile was parked near the Paramount Theater. Mrs. Bubb said the purse
contained no money and was worth about $10.00. She also said her police badge was in the
purse.
January 26, 1934
A copy of instructions by state relief administrators and state transient directors in regard
to detention of transients or illegal train riders has been received by L. V. Tarver, Superintendent
of Police. The instructions were mailed to the superintendent, presumably for the reason that the
city court will play a part in handling such cases.
Under the terms of the communication, illegal train riders will be taken into custody in
the regular way by railroad police, special service departments or by other regular peace officers
and will not be detained by transients bureau officials.
One of the chief objects of the movement is to stop aimless wandering of transients and
orders have been issued to railroads to stop the riding of freight trains by transients.
February 18, 1934
A verdict of justifiable homicide was returned Saturday by Dr. C. L. Mengis, Parish
Coroner, in connection with the shooting death of Alfred Williams, Negro male, age 28, by
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Police Officer Guy Banister. The coroner said his investigation showed the officer fired in selfdefense as the Negro was advancing upon Banister with an open knife.
Testimony given at a hearing on the case showed that Williams and two young white men
whose names had not been learned had engaged in a fight near the middle of the 500 block of
DeSiard Street. When Police Sergeant A. P. Glower and Officers E. N. LeVasseur and Banister
approached the Negro, the two white men ran. Sergeant Glower and Officer LeVasseur went
after the white men and Officer Banister pursued Williams.
After Williams had run somewhat more than half a block and had crossed the Illinois
Central Railroad tracks at Five Points, he was said to have turned on Officer Banister with an
open knife. Officer Banister said he ordered Williams to stop and then fired one shot over his
head. When Williams failed to do so, Officer Banister then fired two shots at Williams when he
attempted to approach.
An examination showed, Dr. Mengis said, one shot passed through Williams' left arm and
into his left chest, severing a large artery at the base of the heart and causing instant death. The
other bullet struck a glancing blow on the breast bone and deflected, failing to enter the chest
area. (Officer Guy Banister later went on to become an F.B.I. Agent. He later went to New
Orleans, Louisiana where according to Jim Garrison, he was involved with the J.F.K. and Lee
Harvey Oswald conspiracy.)
March 21, 1934
While on the lookout for 150 pounds of copper wire reported stolen Monday night from
Kellogg Lumber, 1200 Grammont Street, police recovered the wire and also apprehended an
escaped Negro convict, Alonzo Williams.
Four Negro boys whose ages ranged from 11 to 13 years, were found in possession of the
wire which they said they found. When Police Sergeant A. P. Glower and Officers E. N.
LeVasseur and G. Banister went to the home of two of the boys, they found Alonzo Williams.
Williams is an escaped convict from the Louisiana State Penitentiary, L. V. Tarver,
Superintendent of Police said. Mr. Tarver said, according to his records, Williams escaped from
the prison in 1930 with four years yet to be served. About a year after his escape, he was arrested
by federal authorities on a charge of robbing the post office at Delhi and was sent to the federal
prison at Atlanta, Georgia.
The young boys who had picked up the wire were reprimanded by Mr. Tarver and put
into the custody of their parents.
June 21, 1934
Rufus Goza, City Traffic Officer, tells a "fish story" apparently equal to any released
recently in this part of the state. According to the officer, he cast with a fly rod and caught a full
grown rabbit. He tells it that he was fishing on Bayou DeSiard when he saw a rabbit swimming
the bayou. He instructed his oarsman to pull over toward the rabbit and when fairly close, he
made a cast and succeeded in wrapping the line around the rabbit, catching him securely.
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June 25, 1934
One Negro was shot and another arrested by Monroe police officers as the two were
surprised in the act of burglarizing the Tony Danna Saloon, 721 DeSiard Street, Sunday morning
at 4:30 A.M.
The intruders, Richard Moore and Tylon Carr, are being held in the parish jail. Carr was
shot in the back by Officer H. E. Webb as he attempted to escape through the rear door. His
wound was not serious and after receiving treatment at St. Francis Sanitarium, he was removed
to jail. Officers Webb and L. S. Meek made the arrests.
July 6, 1934
Held up at the point of a pistol at 9:45 P.M. Thursday night by a bandit in front of the
post office building, Ross Banister, 19, son of Deputy Sheriff W. H. Banister, was forced to
follow a car driven by another bandit to Smoot Field, old airport in the southern section of the
city. There the two men tied up young Banister with adhesive tape and escaped in his automobile
after abandoning their own automobile.
The youth quickly freed himself from the tape, made his way to a nearby highway where
he was picked up by a passing motorist and brought to police headquarters.
The car abandoned by the bandits is a 1934 model and evidently was damaged in a recent
accident.
July 24, 1934
Recovery of the automobile belonging to Deputy Sheriff W. H. Banister, which was
stolen here by two bandits who kidnapped Ross Banister, 19, son of the officer, was reported
Tuesday morning to L. V. Tarver, Superintendent of Police, by the Automobile Underwriters
Bureau at Atlanta, Georgia.
In a telegram, the bureau informed Mr. Tarver the car was being held by the police
department at North Little Rock, Arkansas. No details of the condition of the vehicle were given,
nor did the communications state whether any arrests had been made.
July 30, 1934
In a carefully executed raid, two bold bandits held up the night clerk of Hotel Francis
here shortly after 4:00 A.M. Monday morning. They rifled the cash drawer of $195.00 and
escaped after forcing the clerk, a hotel detective and a bellboy to ascend to an upper floor in an
elevator.
An hour after the holdup, Union Parish officers, who had been notified of the holdup,
chased three men who were riding in an automobile answering the description of the one used by
the bandits. When hard pressed by the officers, the trio abandoned the vehicle. Officers shot one
of the bandits as he ran from the automobile.
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The wounded man was brought to St. Francis Sanitarium where his condition was said to
be critical. He gave his name as W. P. Dickert of Texarkana. Officers believed Dickert acted as a
lookout.
The other two bandits escaped into a wooded section of Union Parish. They were later
apprehended and found to be Jack Prince and R. E. Brown.
The capture of Price and Brown climaxed one of the most intensive manhunts ever staged
in North Louisiana. More than 100 officers, Union, Ouachita and Lincoln Parishes, participated
in the hunt which lasted approximately 26 hours.
August 9, 1934
Police Officer R. F. Parker left police headquarters to search for stray cows. A short
while later he came back with a Negro prisoner and five gallons of moonshine whiskey.
It happened this way; after reaching a residential section close to the Arkansas, Louisiana
and Missouri Railroad near Lanyville, Parker spied the Negro approaching from a nearby
wooded section with a five gallon jug on his shoulder. "What have you got there?" Parker
queried. "Ah is got whiskey, boss" the Negro unabashedly replied. "Well load it in this car and
climb in yourself" the officer ordered. Arriving at headquarters, the Negro hoisted the container
of liquor on his shoulder and stalked up the stairs ahead of the officer.
The Negro, Louis Johnson, is being held by city authorities for federal officers on a
charge of possession of illegal whiskey.
August 13, 1934
Nine Negro prisoners escaped from the Monroe City Jail between 10:00 P.M. and 11:00
P.M. Sunday night after sawing through two bars in a window on the west side with a hacksaw.
They cut a hole through the heavy wire screen and lowered themselves from the window on the
second floor to the ground by means of bed clothing tied together.
None of the prisoners had been recaptured at noon Monday, but L. V. Tarver,
Superintendent of Police, said their apprehension is expected shortly.
August 19, 1934
Police Captain F. S. Pettit today is nursing a severely bitten arm and several persons are
recovering from fright caused when a huge gray German police dog went on a mad rampage last
night. The dog dashed through a residence and a downtown drug store and hotel lobby before he
was captured by the officers. Police headquarters received a call at 7:25 P.M. last night to the
effect that a dog had entered the residence of Mrs. Jim Nelson at the corner of Harrison and
Jackson Streets. The dog was barking and "throwing fits" in the bathroom. Captain Pettit and
Sergeant B. L. Brantley were dispatched to the scene. Arriving at the residence, Captain Pettit
entered the bathroom in which the canine had been locked pending the arrival of the officers.
Captain Pettit caught the dog by his collar and led him outside. Outside, the dog had another fit
and broke loose from the officers hold and dashed across the street and entered the Hotel Francis
Drug Store. Clerks and customers alike scurried to points of safety. The dog, barking and
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running in mad circles, ran from the drug store into the hotel lobby with the officers in pursuit.
He finally entered the hotel basement where he was cornered by Captain Pettit and Sergeant
Brantley. The officers debated shooting the dog but decided the bullets would ricochet from the
concrete walls and place them in danger. Captain Pettit again caught the dog by the collar and
started to lead him outside. As he was climbing the steps from the basement, the dog made a
lunge for freedom, but failed, and retaliated by biting Captain Pettit on the arm. The dog was
taken to a veterinarian where it was locked up for observation.
October 9, 1934
The kids at the Barkdull Faulk School had a most welcome visitor and speaker Tuesday
morning at their auditorium program. The visitor was R. J. Goza, Traffic Officer of the Monroe
Police Department, who is giving a series of lectures on safety first at the various local schools.
October 10, 1934
A wedding of unique character was performed Tuesday at City Hall with Judge W. M.
Harper performing the ceremony and City Jailer Frank V. Reitzel "giving away" the bride.
Principals in the wedding were Lester Keith, alias Bob Holland, nephew of former
Governor Parnell of Arkansas. The bride is Virginia McCaa. Keith had been released from the
jail a short time before the wedding, after having been arrested on October 2 for investigation.
The girl, who is 17 years old, was released from jail following the marriage. She was arrested at
the same time as Keith. The bridegroom has a long criminal record and has served penitentiary
terms for such crimes as forgery, automobile theft and robbery from the person.
Officers said the newly wedded couple appeared to be greatly in love with each other.
October 11, 1934
Overcome by the heat Wednesday afternoon at the circus grounds, Police Officer E. N.
LeVasseur has apparently fully recovered. The unusual heat under the circus tent, and the
officer's heavy uniforms were said to have caused him to faint in a restaurant near the circus.
Police Officer Charles Sisson became nauseated and sick at the stomach at the circus. He
was carried to his home and had not fully recovered Thursday.
October 18, 1934
Two new automobiles have been purchased for the cruising patrols of the Monroe Police
Department. The new cars are four-door sedans and the various patrol shifts will alternate in
using them 24 hours each day. Mileage on the two cars traded in on the new cars was
approximately 114,000 miles.
October 22, 1934
Two Negroes who attempted to assault a young white woman early Sunday morning in
the woods near the eastern edge of Smoot Field had not been taken into custody at noon Monday.
55
The young woman and her escort, Leo DeMoss, were in the woods a short distance from
the edge of Smoot Field and were outside of DeMoss's car when the Negroes slipped up in the
darkness. DeMoss fled from the scene, leaving the young woman, the report said.
Running across the field a distance of about three-quarters of a mile to a residence at
Plum and South Third Streets, DeMoss told the occupant to call the police.
Police Sergeant A. P. Glower and Officers I. L. Causey and C. W. Dent hurried to Smoot
Field. Hearing the woman screaming in the woods, they found her nearly exhausted from her
struggles in freeing herself. The girl told the officers the Negroes attempted to assault her
immediately after her escort fled. She broke away from them and ran deeper into the woods. One
of them overtook her and knocked her to the ground. She beat him off by kicking and succeeded
in escaping and fleeing further into the woods. They did not follow her this time. The Negroes
left the field in DeMoss's car. It was later found in a ditch on Winnsboro Road near Nutland
Road.
November 7, 1934
A safe blower poured nitroglycerine into the safe of the Motor Supply Company, 408
Washington Street, early Wednesday morning, but failed to set fire to his fuse. Evidently
frightened away, the robber carried with him $12.00 taken from the cash register.
key.
Entrance to the building probably was gained through the front door by use of a skeleton
Captain Frank Pettit and Officer Frank Reitzel investigated the robbery. They found the
robber had used a sledge hammer to knock off the dial of the safe. He then used a wad of yellow
soap against the place where the dial had been, in such a manner that the nitroglycerine flowed
into the safe when poured.
Officer Reitzel attempted to secure fingerprints, but was unsuccessful as the robber had
worn gloves.
December 12, 1934
A safe blown with nitroglycerine was being investigated by members of the police
department.
The burglary of the Circus S filling station was reported at 6:25 A.M. Wednesday
morning. An investigation was made by Sergeant B. L. Brantley and Officer L. G. Parker. They
found the intruder had gained entrance by breaking locks on a rear door. An effort was made to
open the safe and a part of the bottom was blown away, but the burglar did not get the safe open.
Thirty pennies were taken from the cash register.
January 3, 1935
Six new street intersection stop signs, made of metal and virtually indestructible, have
been purchased by L. V. Tarver, Superintendent of Police, and installed here. Mr. Tarver said he
was impressed with the practicability of the new signs and the superiority over the rubber stop
signs which have been used here.
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The new signs have the word "STOP" stamped in raised nickel letters on the intersection
approach side, and also have two reflectors on this side to indicate the required stop to drivers at
night.
January 4, 1935
Arrests made during the year of 1934 totaled 2,593. The arrests were classified as
follows: felonious homicide, 8; rape, 3; robbery, 6; aggravated assault, 3; burglary, 33; larceny
over $50.00, 12; larceny under $50.00, 132; automobile theft, 6; carrying concealed weapons,
66; driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of liquor, 93; liquor laws, 3; drunkenness,
935; disorderly conduct and vagrancy, 265; gambling, 15; traffic ordinances, 496; all other
offenses, 221; investigations, 348; arrested for other jurisdictions, 41; insanity cases investigated,
2.
February 28, 1935
Following a conference Wednesday between Mayor Bernstein and representatives of the
Emergency Relief Administration, an announcement was made that adequate special police
protection will be provided for residents in the vicinity of the Government Transient Bureau on
Plum Street.
For the special policing work, 24 men will be provided by the ERA for duty under L. V.
Tarver, Superintendent of Police. They will be used at the discretion of the police superintendent.
The only part the ERA will play in the policing work will be to furnish and pay the men. Mr.
Tarver indicated he would place the special men on duty in a manner similar to that used by the
regular force, working each man eight hours a day working three shifts. This would mean eight
men would be on duty 24 hours a day for the special work. The men will work in pairs and will
patrol the section in the vicinity of the Transient Bureau.
March 1, 1935
The first shift of a special guard for patrolling the southern part of the city in the vicinity
of the Transient Bureau went on duty last night at 10:00 P.M. after receiving instructions from
Police Superintendent L. V. Tarver as to their duties.
The southwest part of the city has been divided into four districts with two men patrolling
each district. The first district is in the vicinity of the Missouri Pacific Station and north of
Ouachita Avenue. The second district is from Plum Street, where the Transient Bureau is
located, north to Ouachita Avenue and through the residential districts east and west of Jackson
Street. District three takes in the territory from Plum Street south to the Lida Benton School and
district four comprises the remaining part of the city south of Lida Benton School.
Action in placing a guard patrol over the area followed the registering of numerous
complaints from residents in the vicinity of the Transient Bureau, who believe that inmates of the
Bureau were responsible for a big portion of the crimes that have been committed in that locality
lately.
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Preference is being given ex-service men and former peace officers in selecting the
guards. The ERA picks the guards and the police department has nothing to do with the hiring of
the guards.
March 18, 1935
Striking quickly Saturday and early Sunday morning in a drive against narcotics, Monroe
Police arrested five men for possession and sale of marijuana cigarettes. Monday morning they
made two more arrests for the offense.
Coincident with the drive against narcotics, police arrested three men and three women in
a move against vice conditions here.
It was revealed at police headquarters that the seven men arrested for narcotics violations
and the six persons arrested in the drive against the vice have signed written confessions. They
were transferred to the Parish Jail.
Officers making the arrests were Captain F. S. Pettit, Sergeant J. D. Busby, Officers E. N.
LeVasseur, H. H. Douglas, 0. J. Bedsole, C. W. Dent, I. L. Causey, H. T. Ward and J. R. Butler.
April 16, 1935
H. H. Douglas, Identification Officer, has returned from Baton Rouge and New Orleans,
where for two weeks he studied crime investigation and identification methods.
April 28, 1935
Two plainclothes officers of the Monroe Police Department, who are noted for their
ability to get their man., were instructed to go to the vicinity of the Illinois Central Railroad yard
and arrest a man reported to be intoxicated. The officers went to the locality and found the
drunken man. They failed to get their man. They declined to arrest him, even though they had no
doubt the man was drunk.
Instead of taking the man into custody, the officers called a taxicab and allowed him to be
carried home. The reason the man was not arrested was he had fallen into and wallowed in a
ditch partly filled with sticky black waste oil.
The taxicab driver was not pleased with the prospect of transporting such a customer,
however, he spread some newspapers on the seat and the bedraggled drunk sat upon them and
was driven away.
When the two plainclothes men reported the reason why they did not make an arrest, no
censure of their action was made.
May 31, 1935
Twenty-three years ago an ambitious young police recruit donned his bright new uniform
for the first time and with his "billy" swinging freely on his wrist, he set out to "pound" a beat of
the city.
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His name was L. V. Tarver, who with twenty-three years of constant service has brought
him his reward, for today he leads the department as Superintendent of Police. It is a position he
has held for nearly five years. He was the only city detective for about fourteen years.
His record with the Monroe Police Department has been a most remarkable one. With
one or two exceptions, not a single mysterious crime remains unsolved in the files of the
department. (The newspaper continued to praise Mr. Tarver for the great job he had done for the
police department. It was found he was released from the department on June 16, 1936. No
reason could be found as to why he had been released. On March 31, 1940, Mr. Tarver
announced his candidacy for Commissioner of Parks and Streets. He was not elected. On
October 1, 1940, L. V. Tarver was appointed jailer of the Ouachita Parish Jail by Sheriff Milton
Coverdale. On September 1, 1943, L. V. Tarver was appointed Juvenile Probation Officer by
Judge David I. Garrett. It should also be noted there was no twenty year retirement or any other
type of retirement in 1936, when Mr. Tarver was released from the Monroe Police Department.)
June 3, 1935
Police Sergeant D. T. Flanagan narrowly escaped fatal injury late Saturday night.
Sergeant Flanagan walked out on the porch of his residence, 612 South Fourth Street, and saw an
automobile with the lights out parked in the middle of the street. He went out to the car to
investigate and found a Negro man and woman in the car creating a disturbance. Sergeant
Flanagan commanded the Negroes to get out of the car. At this time the Negro man threatened
Sergeant Flanagan. The sergeant asked the man if he knew him and the Negro replied in the
affirmative.
"I'll get out, but I'll fix you when I do" the Negro told the officer. Sergeant Flanagan
noticed that the Negro had a revolver in his hand. With this threat, the officer ran back into his
house for his gun, but when he returned the Negroes were gone. Another Negro later identified
as being George Williams, was standing at the side of the car. Sergeant Flanagan asked him
where the couple had gone and Williams replied that they had run down Fourth Street towards
Texas Avenue, Williams said the Negro male was Tom Grey.
Sergeant Flanagan overtook the couple at the intersection of Texas Avenue and when he
attempted to place them under arrest, Grey struck Flanagan in the face with his gun. Had the
blow been over the temple with the force that was behind it, Sergeant Flanagan would have been
killed, it is believed.
When the officer began falling, he reached for his own revolver and fired three times at
his assailant. He thought at the time the man was hit in the chest. Sergeant Flanagan then sank to
the ground and Grey and the woman escaped.
When Flanagan got back to his home, he called headquarters. Sergeant Mack Glower and
Offices A. L. Cornett and G. H. Grayson arrived to investigate. They searched the area for some
time but found no trace of the man and woman.
Around 5:30 A.M. Sunday morning as Sergeant Flanagan was enroute to work, and
accompanied by Officers J. D. Busby and L. S. Meek, two boys stopped them at Texas Avenue
and South Third Street and reported a dead Negro was in a ditch in the 500 block of South Third
Street.
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The officers went to the scene and Sergeant Flanagan identified the body as being that of
the Negro with whom he had trouble the night before. All of the officer's bullets found their
mark in the body.
Sergeant Flanagan was completely exonerated of blame by both Coroner C. L. Mengis
and Superintendent of Police L. V. Tarver.
June 7, 1935
L. V. Tarver, Superintendent of Police, issued a warning that the police department will
instigate strenuous prosecution in every case of reckless driving or driving while under the
influence of liquor that is brought to its attention. This action has been brought about by the
unusual number of automobile accidents reported during the last few days.
A total of fifteen arrests for reckless driving or driving while intoxicated have been made
by the police in the last twenty days. Twelve of these offenders have already been convicted,
each resulting in a minimum fine of $100.00 and several carrying additional jail sentences.
July 4, 1935
Warrants of approval from the State Civil Service Commission were received yesterday
by members of the police and fire departments of Monroe and West Monroe. The warrants will
be effective for six months.
The warrants, in effect, are renewals of the police and firemens' commissions to hold
their jobs.
August 1, 1935
Appointments of Sergeants J. D. Busby and B. L. Brantley to captain was announced by
L. V. Tarver, Superintendent of Police. The two neu captains received appointment by the State
Civil Service Commission.
Superintendent Tarver said that henceforth Captain F. S. Pettit, who has been the only
captain on the force, will bear the title of Senior Captain.
August 26, 1935
A police dragnet was drawn about Monroe Monday in an attempt to quell a small crime
wave which descended on the city Saturday night. One man was shot and robbed, seven others
held up and robbed, two automobiles and bicycles were stolen and 33 arrests were made by the
police department over the weekend.
September 24, 1935
Work liquidating the local Bureau of Transients on Plum Street is progressing. Walter
Craddock, Transient Bureau Director, said a number have checked out since the closing date at
midnight September 20th. On the closing date there were 119 unattached men and 72 families.
All these people will be returned to their home communities as soon as they are assured
employment.
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October 15, 1935
Police Superintendent L. V. Tarver Monday night announced the arrest of two Negro
males who he said were absolutely the holdup men who have been terrorizing motorists for the
past few months.
Police Officers C. W. Dent and L. S. Meek received word one of the bandits would be at
a residence on the "east end." They set up a trap for him and he was arrested by Captain B. L.
Brantley and Sergeant F. K. Ham.
October 17, 1935
Organization of a squad of approximately 50 "junior police," all equipped with uniforms
and "paraphernalia" of officers, has been completed this past week by Officer R. J. Goza of the
Monroe Police Department. The boys, whose ages are from 10-14 years, will be on duty at each
of the schools with the exception of Sherrouse and Lida Benton Schools, which are still
unorganized.
Eight boys will be stationed at each school, two on each street corner, morning, noon and
night, when the children are going to or from school.
Only boys who have made the highest grades in school will be given the opportunity to
serve on the "junior police" squad, Mr. Goza said.
October 30, 1935
The Monroe Police Department is conducted under a three shift system of eight hours
each. The shift hours are 6:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M., 2:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. and 10:00 P.M. to
6:00 A.M.
L. V. Tarver heads the department with the rank of Superintendent of Police. Next in
rank are three captains, F. S. Pettit, J. D. Busby and B. L. Brantley.
Other officers of rank are the two street sergeants and three desk sergeants. The street
sergeants are F. K. Ham, A. P. Glower and the desk sergeants are D. T. Flanagan, I. L. Causey
and Charlie Sisson.
Other officers and their various positions follow: F. V. Reitzel, City Jailer; L. G. Parker,
Special Officer; D. J. Bedsole, Special Officer; R. J. Parker, Special Officer; Ed Harper,
Mechanic; R. J. Goza and B. H. Grayson, Motorcycle Officers.
Patrolmen are: H. H. Burns, J. R. Butler, J. M. Busby, V. M. Cummings, C. W. Dent, H.
H. Douglas, E. N. LeVasseur, L. S. Meek, C. W. Platt, H. B. Parker, H. E. Webb, H. T. Ward, R.
E. Heap, A. L. Cornett and Joe Anders.
January 10, 1936
Kidnapped by three desperadoes here Thursday night at the Missouri Pacific Railroad
passenger station, robbed of his watch and money and forced to accompany his captors in his
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own automobile to a church near Bonita was J. L. Marcum, 50, signal supervisor, who was left
bound and gagged. He broke loose from his bonds and notified Monroe Police.
C. H. Sisson, night desk sergeant of the Monroe Police Department, was notified by
phone of the kidnapping. H. H. Douglas in charge of the fingerprint department of Monroe
Police and Officer Ed Harper left here to take fingerprints of the crime scene in Bonita.
June 16, 1936
A man who gave his name as Buster Gossett was arrested by City Detectives L. G. Parker
and D. J. Bedsole, after he admitted taking a pint of whiskey from a saloon delivery boy without
paying for the liquor. Gossett was placed in the city jail.
August 22, 1936
A new card index system through which valuable information concerning every person
arrested by Monroe Police is recorded and made available for instant use in the future has been
inaugurated by Superintendent of Police C. R. Tidwell. (Tidwell was appointed Superintendent
on June 18, 1936 by Mayor Arnold Bernstein to replace L. V, Tarver.)
September 10, 1936
Twenty-nine tickets for violation of city traffic regulations were issued by Monroe police
officers.
Officers L. G. Parker and D. J. Bedsole issued seventeen tickets for nonobservance of
stop signs. Officer H. E. Heap issued two tickets for nonobservance of stop signs and one for
running a red light. Officer A. P. Glower issued one ticket for illegal parking and Officer Frank
V. Reitzell issued eight tickets for illegal parking.
October 14, 1936
Armed with a search warrant, City Detectives L. G. Parker and D. J. Bedsole raided the
store and residence of Sara Michatto located at South Eleventh Street and Ouachita Avenue. The
officers seized an illicit whiskey still and two jugs of bootleg liquor. The still was found in the
kitchen and it appeared to have a capacity of from twenty to twenty-five gallons.
Michatto, arrested and taken to police headquarters, was turned over to federal officers,
who were also given custody of the still and liquor.
October 18, 1936
A new officer, Robert Graves, has been added to the Monroe Police Department and
assigned to the recently organized traffic division, it was announced by Superintendent of Police
C. R. Tidwell.
The new officer will ride a motorcycle. This will give the traffic division three
motorcycle officers. The department is headed by Sergeant Frank V. Reitzell who operates in a
patrol car and also works afoot. The other motorcycle officers are R. J. Goza and B. H. Grayson.
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October 25, 1936
Five new sirens were received by the Monroe Police Department yesterday for installation on its
motor vehicles. C. R. Tidwell, Superintendent of Police, said the sirens positively will not be
sounded except in when making emergency calls that urgently demand the quick clearing of a
path through traffic.
October 29, 1936
"The smaller number of crimes recorded at police headquarters is an indication that
business in this territory is getting better," said C. R. "Ruff" Tidwell, Superintendent of the
Monroe Police Department. "Since I assumed duties in this office I have witnessed a steady
decrease in the number of arrests for thievery and other minor crimes," he asserted.
December 1, 1936
Police Officers F. K. Ham and V. W. Cummings were in a running gun battle with a
Negro suspect Tuesday morning about 3:00 A.M. on Congo Street. Neither the officers nor the
Negro were wounded.
An hour earlier the officers had begun an investigation of an attempt to hold up an
automobile service station at 2504 DeSiard Street. Reports made by the patrol officers to police
headquarters said that the officers were driving on Congo Street looking for suspects in the
attempted armed robbery. The officers saw a Negro male walking and stopped to question him.
Officer Cummings, who was driving, stopped the car and called to the Negro male asking him to
walk over to the car. When the Negro continued walking away from the car, Officer Ham
stepped out of the car and started toward him. The Negro male then ran to cover in a ditch and
began firing at Officer Ham. The officer returned the fire and Officer Cummings came to his
assistance.
At this moment Officer Ham was charging upon the Negro in the ditch, who fled down
the ditch in a running gun battle to Young's Bayou. Both officers chased and fired back at the
Negro, but he escaped without apparent injury.
Each of the patrol officers is a good marksman, but the darkness prevented them from
hitting their running target.
December 21, 1936
Following the arrest by police of Harold Davis, 20 and Joe Morgan, 52, who were
attempting to sell a pair of shoes in Five Points early Sunday morning, evidence was found that
they had broken into the show windows of two DeSiard Street businesses.
Superintendent of Police C. R. Tidwell said the pair of shoes the men were attempting to
sell was one of two pair taken from D. Masur and Sons Clothing. Two pistols were also found on
the two suspects and they came from Hunt and Whitaker show windows.
Meek
Police officers who arrested the accused men were H. E. Webb, C. W. Dent and L. S.
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February 8, 1937
C. R. Tidwell, Superintendent of Police, has been named by Governor Leache to fill the
unexpired term of the late R. D. Swayze as Commissioner of Streets and Parks. R. D. Swayze
died in a house fire at his residence.
February 14, 1937
An unidentified Negro bandit shot and fatally wounded a grocer sitting in his store
shortly after 9:30 P.M. last night. An hour earlier a Negro male, believed to be the same bandit,
shot and seriously wounded another grocer in his store. Frank P. Nesbit was slain and Robert L.
Powell was wounded.
Every member of the Monroe Police Department was called on duty and the entire city
was being combed for the bandit at a late hour last night.
All freight trains passing through Monroe were being searched by police in an effort to
capture the bandit.
March 16, 1937
Frank V. Reitzell, head of the Traffic Department of the Monroe Police Department, was
unanimously elected at a meeting of the City Commission Council Tuesday morning, as Chief of
Police. The appointment was made to fill the vacancy caused by the elevation of C. R. Tidwell to
the post of Commission of Streets and Parks.
Chief Reitzell has been a member of the Monroe Police Department since 1930, when he
became secretary to former Police Superintendent L. V. Tarver. Prior to that he held the post of
city jailer. In June of last year he became a patrolman and was named head of the newly created
traffic department when C. R. Tidwell because Superintendent of Police.
The new chief has a distinguished war record as a member of the First Division of the
regular army on both the Mexican border expedition in 1917 and in France during the World
War.
March 31, 1937
New traffic regulations to reduce hazards in the downtown business area were announced
Wednesday morning by Chief of Police Frank V. Reitzell.
One hour parking, prohibition of double parking and the parking of cars within fifteen
feet of corners in the business districts are the chief features of the new orders.
April 1, 1937
The promotion of four members of the Monroe Police Department was announced by
Chief of Police Frank V. Reitzell. Promoted to sergeant were C. H. Sisson, J. M. Busby, H. T.
Ward and L. S. Meek.
Sergeant Sisson, who joined the force as a motorcycle patrolman eight years ago, has
been appointed secretary to Chief Reitzell. Sergeant Busby, who has been a member of the
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department for the past eleven years was named head of the traffic department. Sergeant Ward,
who has been a member for seven years, will become the night desk sergeant. Sergeant Meek,
who has been assigned to the night shift will become the second shift sergeant. D. T. Flanagan
will remain the first shift sergeant. Garland May was added to the department.
April 11, 1937
Chief of Police Frank V. Reitzell last night expressed himself well pleased with the
results of the new one hour parking law in the downtown district of the city. A total of 92 tickets
was reported by the police as having been given to offenders of the one hour parking.
April 14, 1937
Emmanuel Dixon, Negro, was shot in the leg Tuesday night by Police Officers F. K. Ham
and H. L. Tolbert. He has resisted arrest and fled after striking Officer Ham.
The officers reported that Dixon was picked up as a prowler in the 1600 block of North
Sixth Street shortly before midnight Tuesday. Officer Ham, who was cruising the district with
Officer Tolbert in a police car, stopped the Negro and searched him. He found a knife in his boot
and placed him under arrest. The Negro struck him and fled down the street. Officer Tolbert got
out of the car and both officers fired several shots at the Negro, but he made his escape. At 2:30
A.M. Wednesday, Police Captain B. L. Brantley and Officer C. W. Dent went to Dixon1s
residence where they found him nursing a minor wound in the leg and took him in charge.
June 13, 1937
B. H. Grayson( traffic officer of the Monroe Police Department for the past seven years,
has resigned to accept a position with the Louisiana Oil Refining Company. Harold 0. Coates,
automobile salesman, has been appointed to succeed Grayson. Coates is an experienced
motorcycle rider.
October 31, 1937
Police Sergeant Arthur P. Glower, 54, died at his home, 2704 Lee Avenue, Saturday
night. He had been with the Monroe Police Department more than fourteen years.
Although he suffered a serious illness a year ago, he recovered and returned to his work on the
police department. Last June he had a relapse and continued to fail up to the end. His only child
was a son and he died seven years ago at the age of twenty.
December 7, 1937
Monroe's finest were bedecked in new uniforms Tuesday. AlJ of the members of the
force were found trying on their new uniforms.
Big Joe Anders, the jailer, found his trousers looked like a tent. He tried them on. and
found they were a perfect fit everywhere except the length ol the legs. More length was added to
the trousers and the city jailer then expressed complete satisfaction with them.
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The police department's newest officer, Charlie Bruscato, found his entire suit was an
excellent fit. So did Officers Rufus J. Goza and E. N. LeVasseur. Both the officers have hefty
chests and found they could take deep breaths without popping off a button.
Officer C. W. Pratt doesn't care for frills in his dress as he goes about his work, but
fellow officers declared he "perked up" after donning his new uniform.
Officer J. R. Butler didn't have to go to work until 10:00 P.M., but donned his new
uniform and went down to the beat to see how things were going. The uniforms are issued semiannually, one for winter and one for summer.
February 26, 1938
Detectives L. G. Parker and D. J, Bedsole were paid a reward of $25.00 for the arrest of
Floyd Taylor who had escaped from the Mississippi State Penitentiary.
April 7, 1938
With the arrest of Stillmore Williams, 25, Negro, Monroe Police claimed to have solved a
series of chicken thefts from chicken coops which had recently been reported. City Detectives L.
G. Parker and D. J. Bedsole made the arrest.
April 8, 1938
Police Officer H. L. Tolbert of the Monroe Police Department has been assigned by Chief
Frank V. Reitzell to attend the State Police School in Baton Rouge. The school will last four
weeks and will be conducted by experts from State Police Headquarters.
June 21, 1938
An outfit used in reloading used pistol shells was received at Monroe Police
Headquarters Tuesday and will be used by members of the department to reload shells used in
pistol practice.
July 27, 1938
July has proved to be an unlucky month for Patrolman B. F. Graves of the Monroe Police
Department.
Officer Graves' first stroke of bad luck was a recent illness which caused him to have an
operation. Next came the theft of his 1935 Packard, which was stolen Tuesday night from the
300 block of Jackson Street. His most spectacular piece of bad luck occurred last week while he
was traveling through Texas.
Believe it or not, Officer Graves was mistaken for the notorious bandit, Floyd Hamilton,
and was placed under arrest near Mineola, Texas. Things looked bad for Officer Graves when
three guns were found in his car. Eventually, he was identified and freed from his
embarrassment.
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August 23, 1938
Desk Sergeant Flanagan had an excited individual come to police headquarters and report
seeing the devil. Satan was not only seen by a number of people, but he broke up a dance at a
roadhouse on the Winnsboro Road Sunday night.
According to the report, the devil suddenly appeared at the roadhouse and danced in the center of
the dance floor. He was described as being six feet tall, dressed in black, his head decorated with
horns and sporting a forked tail.
Two men were said to have drawn pistols and fired twice at the devil. When the smoke cleared
away, he was nowhere to be found.
October 11, 1938
With a steel cell block being placed in the women's section of the Monroe City Jail, Jailer
Joe Anders figures a lot of his trouble with women prisoners are about over. Women prisoners
have cut holes through the wooden floor, kicked out the window panes, burned their beds and
otherwise defaced the room used to house women prisoners.
January 4, 1939
A conference of members of the Monroe Police Department was held by Police Chief
Frank Reitzell Tuesday afternoon in the Monroe City Courtroom. The conference was held for
suggestions and instructions for improving police service for the coming year.
January 16, 1939
Four Monroe businesses were broken into early Sunday morning by burglars. The Eureka
Grocery Store, 2501 South Grand Street, had the safe blown open and $1,300.00 to $1,500.00 in
cash was taken.
At the Monroe Steam Laundry, 436 South Grand Street, the burglars used an insufficient
charge of nitroglycerine in the cracks of the safe and were unable to get inside the safe.
At Twin City Motors, 1700 South Grand Street, they stole an electric drill, a ballpein
hammer and two jimmy bars.
At Rizzo's Pharmacy, 2505 South Grand Street, the burglars knocked off the combination
knob but did not blow the safe. The burglars took fourteen bottles of liquor.
Police Chief Frank Reitzell and Sheriff Milton Coverdale announced a reward of $100.00
for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the burglars.
February 15, 1939
Monroe Police were instructed Wednesday by Chief Frank Reitzell to replace the
department's traffic accident forms and use the forms used by State Police.
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February 28, 1939
A modern fingerprint camera which will greatly facilitate the work of the Monroe Police
Department's fingerprint bureau has been purchased and delivered to the bureau.
Having dimensions of about fifteen inches by six inches square, the camera is equipped with four
miniature lamps operated by batteries housed in the camera box. In taking pictures, the camera
lens is placed flush against a fingerprint, signature or other material and the four lamps provide
the light.
March 1, 1939
Extensive improvements to the city jail, made in recent months under direction of Mayor
H. H. Benoit, were nearing completion Wednesday. Most of the improvements affect the
sanitation of the jail and the convenience of its operation.
Shower baths equipped with hot and cold water were installed in each of the jail sections.
The cells have been painted with aluminum paint and new "swing cots" as well as new
commodes have been installed in each cell.
March 16, 1939
As an effective method of curtailing thefts of motor vehicles, Monroe Police were
instructed by Chief Frank V. Reitzell to remove switch keys left in parked vehicles and to take
the keys to police headquarters to be picked up by the owner.
April 5, 1939
R. E. Heap, veteran police officer and traffic and playground watchman, died shortly
after 7:00 A.M. at a local hospital where he underwent an operation Monday. Mr. Heap was 69
years old and died on his birthday. He will be buried at Riverview Cemetery.
Mr. Heap began his service with the police department in 1912. For several years he was
Superintendent of Streets. In 1919 he returned to the department to take over the position of
Inspector, a position corresponding to Chief.
He had no children and was survived by nieces and nephews.
August 20, 1939
Judd Savage, 29, was in St. Francis Sanitarium with a bullet wound in his side as the
result of an altercation with Detectives L. G. Parker and D. J. Bedsole of the Monroe Police
Department late yesterday afternoon.
Detectives Parker and Bedsole were called to Shirley's Temple on Louisville Avenue to
arrest a man who had allegedly beat up a girl at the place. The man had left the business.
Detectives Parker and Bedsole took the girl and drove along Breard Street looking for the
subject. The girl pointed out a man at 1801 Breard and stated he was one of the men who had left
with the man who had beaten her. Detective Bedsole questioned the man on the porch and
Detective Parker and the girl went into the house where the girl pointed out Judd Savage as the
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man who beat her. Detective Parker told Savage he was a police officer and told him he wanted
to talk to him outside. Savage suddenly struck Parker, knocking him to his knees. Savage
continued beating Detective Parker. Detective Bedsole, hearing the commotion, ran into the
room. Detective Parker had managed to draw his pistol and fired one shot through Savage's left
side before Bedsole reached them. Savage fled the room as soon as the shot was fired, but he was
found hiding in some weeds on a lot nearby. Detective Bedsole called for an ambulance to carry
Savage to the hospital.
Detective Parker was bleeding badly on the left side of his head and said he had been
struck with a knife or knucks. He suffered a severe bruise on the side of his head.
January 9, 1940
Funeral services are being held today for Desk Sergeant Irvin L. Causey, a member of the
Monroe Police Department for more than ten years, who died at 9:00 P.M. Monday night at a
local hospital after an extended illness.
He joined the Monroe Police Department on September 17, 1929, and until his death he
had served continuously. He was promoted to sergeant on June 7, 1935.
He was survived by his wife, two sons, Irvin L. Causey, Jr. and William Causey, and a
daughter, Mrs. Lillian McGough.
February 28, 1940
Injured when his motorcycle collided with an automobile about noon Tuesday Police
Officer R. J. Goza was reported improving Wednesday at his home, 1000 South Second Street.
March 7, 1940
The Monroe Kiwanis Club has just placed orders for twenty-five white raincoats for the
junior police students in several grammar schools. The raincoats will bear on the back the
lettering, "Junior Police, Monroe, La." The lads are also provided with arm bands which bear the
words "Safety Patrol."
Substantial assistance has been given by Traffic Officer R. J. Goza of Monroe Police
Department in coaching the boys in their duties.
August 23, 1940
The new $7,000.00 Monroe Police radio station KPML, was on the air for the first time
Thursday afternoon and again at 9:00 P.M. testing the new equipment.
Louis Byrne, R.C.A. Engineer, called police stations WBRB, Baton Rouge and KNGP,
Shreveport. An excellent reception of the Monroe station's broadcasts was reported to Engineer
Byrne by operators at Baton Rouge and Shreveport.
At the present time, some of the equipment for the new station has not arrived, including
two-way sets for the cars and remote control apparatus for the station. These are expected to
arrive soon.
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During the test, some interference was found and a check will be made to find what
electrical equipment in the vicinity is causing the interference.
September 12, 1940
The new $7,000.00 Monroe Police radio station, KPML, began full-time operation
Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 P.M. The new equipment has been installed and removal of
electrical interference made, announced by Sergeant C. H, Sisson. The new equipment included
two-way sets for the four cars and one-way sets for the three motorcycles.
Station KPML is operated on 2400 kilocycles and everyone who has a radio equipped
with a police band may listen in, Sergeant Sisson announced.
September 30, 1940
A burglar lost a patched portion of the seat of his pants in climbing through a grocery
store transom. It proved to be just the clue police needed.
Bright and early Monday morning, charges of breaking and entering the store were
preferred against Jesse Edwards, 36, Negro, by Captain Frank Pettit and Sergeant Louis Meek. In
Edwards' room they found the suit pants from which the patch had come.
When Captain Pettit and Sergeant Meek answered the burglary, they found the cloth
patch which was peculiar in that the space between every third or fourth stitch was wider.
In the rear of the grocery store was a pressing shop. Captain Pettit showed the material to
a presser and he advised there were only two machines in Monroe that would do work like that.
Upon checking at one of the businesses, Captain Pettit was advised it was their work and gave
Captain Pettit the name of the man who had his pants patched.
November 26, 1940
A telephone call and the Monroe Police Department's new radio equipment enabled two
patrol car officers to trap three youths in a stolen automobile after a wild chase of six blocks.
This arrest happened five minutes after the message was sent over the air.
The capture was made by Sergeant J. M. Busby and Motorcycle Patrolman R. F. Graves,
both of the Traffic Department.
February 16, 1941
D. J. Bedsole, 61, for many years a city detective, was found shot to death in his room at
312 Hart Street. The coroner said the fatal wound was self-inflicted.
Mr. Bedsole was found shot through the head with a .38 caliber revolver, according to
Chief of Police Frank Reitzell. The officer had been in ill health for several months and had been
off duty for the past four days because of illness.
Mr. Bedsole is survived by his wife, one daughter, Mrs. Wiley Mosley, and a brother, C.
J. Bedsole.
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April 13, 1941
Motorists who cause small traffic accidents are often the target of verbal attacks from the
offended, but Charles Perot got the works Saturday afternoon when he aroused the ire of one
patrolman, then bumped the fender of a police captain.
The story police told was that Patrolman Bob Dartez was proceeding east on Layton
Avenue when Perot drove north across Layton on South Second Street. Patrolman Dartez
avoided a crash when he stopped quickly. Perot stopped but immediately started again. He then
bumped into the rear fender of Captain J. D. Busby's patrol car and kept going. Patrolman Dartez
forced Perot to the curb. Perot's car caught fire and Dartez extinguished the blaze with a bucket
of water.
Perot was booked with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence and hit and
run driving.
April 14, 1941
Appointment of Garland R. May, 3012 Lee Avenue, to the position of night captain on
the Monroe Police Department was announced Monday by Acting Chief B. L. Brantley. Captain
May filled the vacancy created when Brantley was promoted to acting chief during the absence
of Chief Frank Reitzell, now a captain in the United States Army.
M. L, Peters is a new addition to the night patrol, according to Chief Brantley.
April 21, 1941
Guy Sievers, 222 Pearly Street, has been added to the Monroe Police Department and
assigned to the Traffic Division, Acting Chief B. L. Brantley announced. Sievers is an
experienced motorcyclist and will serve with the motorcycle patrol.
May 1, 1941
A Monroe motorcycle policeman escaped serious injury in a head-on collision accident
here Wednesday, Chief of Police B. L. Brantley reported.
Guy A. Sievers, 22 year old police officer, received first aid treatment at the VaughanWright-Bendel Clinic after he made a wide right turn into South Second Street from Stone
Avenue and crashed into the automobile operated by Edward Paylor. Before he turned, Sievers
was traveling east on Stone Avenue while Paylor drove north on South Second. Damage to the
motorcycle was $125.00.
July 13, 1941
It was one of life's big moments for Acting Police Chief B. L. Brantley Wednesday when
the officers of his department unexpectedly presented him with a gold Chief's badge. This was a
token of their recognition of his capable leadership and of their respect for him, Brantley, who
has been with the Monroe Police Department since 1927, was promoted from night captain to
acting chief some three months ago when Chief Frank V. Reitzell was called to active duty as an
Army captain.
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August 17, 1941
The original John Doe was booked at police headquarters with drunkenness and
disorderliness after his arrest Saturday afternoon.
Desk Sergeant Charles H. Sisson, who booked John Doe, received a call at 4:01 P.M. to
send an officer to Thomas Avenue just off Lee Avenue, where a Negro was either dead or drunk
in the street. A police radio message was sent to Officers R. J. Goza and Ed Harper. They sped to
the scene. At first glance, they saw the body was on the curb and the legs were in the street. A
beer bottle was leaning against the supine figure. They pulled to the curb, got out of the car, and
looked at the slump form. It was a dummy. It was made of straw. A dirty straw hat sat on the
paper head. A dirty white flannel shirt, black leather belt and old khaki pants completed the
outfit, except for two leather shoes tied to the pants legs.
Realizing the joke, the officers picked up the figure and placed it in the back seat of the
patrol car. A woman across street hollered as they were climbing into the automobile, "Make the
charges as light as possible."
Driving up to the front of City Hall, the arresting officers radioed Sergeant Sisson on the
second floor to send them a trusty to help carry the figure upstairs. The sergeant sent them Uriah
Johnson, Negro trusty, who, when he saw the crumpled figure in the rear seat, was held
trembling to the spot before he realized John Doe was only a dummy.
When you make a visit to police headquarters and look in the police blotter under August
16, you will see the name of John Doe charged with "D & D" and arrested by Officers Goza and
Harper.
August 19, 1941
Monroe's first "copcycle" was initiated into service Tuesday when the Traffic Division of
the Monroe Police Department added the new three-wheeled machine to its corp of regular
motorcycles. Equipped with radio apparatus, the new machine will be used by the traffic division
for relieving traffic congestion, marking cars in regulated parking zones and for regular police
duty. The motorcycle has a seating capacity for two officers, acting Chief B. L. Brantley said.
August 24, 1941
Officer F. K. Ham, 60, was in Vaughan-Wright-Bendel Clinic last night with a fractured
skull suffered yesterday afternoon when a Negro resisting arrest allegedly attacked Officer Ham
as he was patrolling in the 600 block of DeSiard Street.
The Negro was captured about 4:00 P.M. and lodged into the city jail. He will face a
charge of assault with intent to kill after he was booked for investigation at police headquarters,
Chief Brantley said.
Police said Officer Ham, whose beat covers Catalpa and Fourth Streets, was stopped near
Five Points by an unidentified Negro who complained he was being followed by a subject named
Howard, who was wielding a knife. After a short search, Officer Ham located Howard, who ran
up DeSiard Street at the sight of the officer. Officer Ham pursued the fleeing Negro and caught
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up with him when he stumbled. The Negro reportedly butted Officer Ham in the stomach and at
the same time hit the officer in the face with his hand. Officer Ham was knocked down and his
head hit the curb and he became unconscious.
Receiving a report that approximately fifty aroused citizens were preparing to storm the
city jail for Howard, police transferred him to the parish jail.
February 9, 1942
Frank Reitzel returns as Monroe's Chief of Police after being discharged from the U. S.
Army. Chief Reitzell replaces B. L. Brantley who was Acting Chief of Police while Mr. Reitzell
was in the Army.
April 26, 1942
Cornered in a dwelling house at 1321 DeSiard Street by an alleged insane Negro wielding
a shovel, Officer A. L. Cornett shot and killed the Negro early Saturday morning. The Negro,
who went berserk at his residence, chased his mother, wife, daughter and nephew with a baseball
bat from his house. Captain Frank Pettit and Officer A. L. Cornett arrived and tried to calm the
Negro down. The Negro went into a bathroom and returned with a shovel and advanced toward
Officer Cornett. The officer fired several shots but the Negro kept advancing. Officer Cornett
then shot and killed the Negro.
May 24, 1942
A sixty member Auxiliary Police Force was sworn in as deputies after they completed a
civil defense course. The force was formed to help the regular police officers when an
emergency arises. They will be used to supplement the Monroe and West Monroe Police
Departments as well as the Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Department. They were issued badges.
July 28, 1942
Sergeant Charles H. Sisson, veteran of fourteen years service with the Monroe Police
Department, announced his candidacy for the office of City Marshal. Sergeant Sisson had to
resign from the Monroe Police Department in order to make the race.
July 29, 1942
H. L. Tolbert, Monroe Police Officer, has been promoted to desk sergeant and J. B.
Whitfield, former State Highway Patrolman, has been added tc the force. The promotion was the
result of the resignation of Sisson.
November 27, 1942
Alexandria Police Department notified Monroe Police to be on the lookout for a onelegged man driving a greenish blue late model Chevrolet with a 1942 Alabama license number
1C 26-409. The driver was wanted for assault and attempted rape.
Early this morning, Monroe Officers Jack Davis and J. B. Whitfield located the car and
arrested the occupants. All four of the occupants were one-legged, so all four were held.
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November 29, 1942
Police Officer H. L. Tolbert has been promoted to police secretary and fingerprint man,
and Garland May has been promoted to desk sergeant, it was announced by Chief Frank V.
Reitzell.
December 2, 1942
Chief of Police Frank V. Reitzell was ordered by the Civil Service Board to step down as
Chief of Police. Chief Reitzell, as a reserve officer of the United States Army, was called into the
service a year ago and was given a leave of absence by Mayor H. H. Benoit. After several
months of active service he was discharged and returned as Chief of Police; however, the Civil
Service Board ruled he could not return. Captain B. L. Brantley was appointed Chief of Police.
He was Acting Chief of Police while Chief Reitzell was in the Army.
February 3, 1943
The annual policeman's barbecue supper was held in the kitchen of city hall late Tuesday
afternoon. The men "on the beat and in the prowl cars" made the supper possible and had as their
guests City Officials.
March 14, 1943
Officer W. 0. Causey, son of the late Sergeant I. L. Causey of the Monroe Police
Department, was promoted to the rank of sergeant, Police Chief Brantley announced last night.
April 9, 1943
Five Monroe Police officers were indicted on charges of aggravated battery. The officers
were Robert Dartez, George Wood, Richard Minor, G. E. Sievers and M. L. Peters. Their bond
was $1,000.00 each and they were released on bond,
May 8, 1943
A jury in Fourth District Court late yesterday required approximately two minutes to free
Police Officers Robert Dartez, George Wood and Richard Minor on a charge of aggravated
battery. May 12, 1943, the cases against G. E. Sievers and M. L. Peters was nol-prossed by the
D.A.
July 18, 1943
Monroe Police Officers E. L. Walker, Jack Davis and H. J. Murray raided a dice game
over the Five Points Pharmacy arresting 24 Negroes. Jim Bennett, 614 North Eleventh Street,
was arrested for operating the dice game.
March 28, 1944
Police Sergeant J. E. Whitfield and Officer George Wood, members of the Monroe Police
Department, left their posts to enter military service. Sergeant Whitfield entered the Marine
Corps and Officer Wood entered the U. S. Army.
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April 5, 1944
A young woman who plunged into the swift and icy waters of the swollen Ouachita River
held spectators spellbound. She eluded police officers and dunked one policeman in the river
before she was finally hauled out of the water. Police Officer J. R. Cullipher was the first at the
scene and Captain J. D. Busby, Sergeant W. 0. Causey and Officers Richard Minor and Guy
Sievers assisted.
February 5, 1945
Chief of Police B. L. Brantley, 53, died suddenly at his home, 101 Arkansas Avenue, of a
heart attack. Chief Brantley had been in ill health for many months but had been at his desk
despite an impaired physical condition. He had been with the department for nineteen years and
was elevated to the head of the department in December 1942. He had served eight years as City
Marshal at Farmerville before coming to Monroe.
April 1, 1945
Captain J. D. Busby was appointed Acting Chief of Police by Mayor H. H. Benoit.
Captain Busby joined the department on April 1, 1924.
July 8, 1945
Three new officers were added to the force. They are M. W. Barham, W. C. Oglesbee and
Hunter F. May.
July 31, 1945
Captain D. T. Flanagan and Officer F. K. Ham, veteran members of the Monroe Police
Department, are retiring from active duty. Captain Flanagan joined the department on July 20,
1925 and Officer Ham on May 3, 1920.
September 10, 1945
Sergeant W. 0. Causey of the Monroe Police Department, has resigned his post with the
department. Chief Busby announced Sergeant Causey plans to enter private business.
The Chief also announced Sergeant Jack Davis was being advanced from the third shift to
Sergeant Causey's second shift and Officer George Wood has been promoted to sergeant, taking
over Sergeant Davis's former shift.
September 18, 1945
Patrolman Leo Fleming, 51, of the Monroe Police Department, died early Tuesday
morning at his home. He had been with the department since November 1944.
January 8, 1946
Police Chief J. D. Busby stated two men identified as Charles E. Reed and William H,
Albritton were arrested for armed robbery. The two men went to the Monroe Hotel on South
Grand and entered a room where a card game was in progress. The two men allegedly held the
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players at bay with a pistol and dashed out of the hotel with $100.00. Some of the players gave
chase and with the assistance of Police Officers Garland May, Floyd Van and Bennie Hickman,
the subjects were arrested.
January 16, 1946
Officer Morris W. Barham of the Monroe Police Department suffered a chest injury and
some rib fractures yesterday evening. He, along with Officer Russell L. Jordon, had been
summoned to investigate an accident on Louisville Avenue near Superior Lumber. While Officer
Barham was working this accident another vehicle came at a high rate of speed and hit Officer
Barham. The driver was found to be driving while under the influence of intoxicants. Barham's
condition was not considered serious.
October 23, 1946
Chief of Police J. D. Busby announced the resignation of Desk Sergeant Guy A. Sievers.
It was explained Sergeant Sievers was leaving to work at his service station.
November 1, 1946
Two servicemen were added to the Monroe Police Department; they are Jewel P.
McKeller and James C. Bryan.
November 4, 1946
Retired Policeman Henry H. Burns died Sunday. Officer Burns joined the department on
July 1, 1922 and retired on January 1, 1946.
December 30, 1946
The burglar alarm at Frenchie's Cafe sounded at 6:15 P.M. Sunday. The watchman, T. D.
Reed, had just left the business. He heard the alarm and returned and turned off the alarm bell.
Reed then called the owner, Albert Thibeaux, and told him the alarm went off and everything
was fine. While talking to Mr. Thibeaux, the watchman gasped, "My God, he has got me." Then
the phone was dropped. Mr. Thibeaux dashed to his cafe to find out what had happened.
Watchman Reed had looked up at a beam of a flashlight and the muzzle of a revolver. He
dropped the phone when the person with the revolver ordered him to walk towards him with his
hands up. It was not a burglar as Reed had thought, but was Officer J. P. McKeller, a new
patrolman, who had heard the alarm and entered the cafe. Mr. Thibeaux arrived and found his
watchman and the patrolman laughing over their mutual mistake.
April 15, 1947
Ed Harper retired from the Monroe Police Department. He joined the department on
September 1, 1926. Most of Harper's years on the force were in plain clothes. Later he was made
mechanic to keep the patrol cars in operation.
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July 2, 1947
Beginning July 1, 1947, all drivers in Louisiana are required to carry a license and face
the loss of it for any of a number of traffic violations. The head of the driver's license office
estimated between fifty-five to sixty thousand persons in Union, Lincoln and Ouachita Parishes
applied for permits before the midnight deadline.
September 4, 1947
James C. Kelly, Jr. was sworn in by Judge W. M. Harper as a Monroe Police Officer.
October 1, 1947
Captain James M. Busby retired from the Monroe Police Department after twenty-one
years as a member of the force. Sergeant John B. Whitfield was promoted to captain and John E.
McMullen was promoted to desk sergeant to replace Captain Busby.
October 16, 1947
L. M. "Lip" Carlton, 43, sawed his way to freedom from the Monroe City Jail Thursday
night. L. G. Parker, City Jailer, said Carlton had been released Thursday morning upon
completion of a fifteen day sentence for habitual drunkenness. He was arrested again the same
day he was released when he was found at Harrison and Sixth Streets, drunk.
According to Parker, the break was made possible by the use of a short length hacksaw
blade. Carlton escaped at 9:30 P.M. and was captured at 11:30 P.M. by Captain John Whitfield
and Officer Ernest Franton.
October 21, 1947
A Monroe traffic officer, having refueled his motorcycle at a local service station,
suddenly found his motorcycle too hot to handle and was forced to leap to safety when the
machine burst into flames.
Officer H. V. Brown mounted the machine after it had been gassed, started his cycle and
within a few minutes it was blazing. Firemen arrived and put out the fire but the motorcycle was
completely destroyed.
November 10, 1947
L. G. Parker, former patrolman, city detective and city jailer, retired today. Parker, city
jailer since July 1947, had been eligible for retirement since the department went under Civil
Service. Parker joined the department on October 20, 1920. He served 15 years as a detective,
rarely donning the conventional uniform.
May 25, 1948
Monroe Police Chief J. D. Busby announced he would retire on May 30, 1948. Chief
Busby joined the department in April 1924.
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June 1, 1948
Captain H. T. Ward was appointed Acting Chief of Police by the City Council. Chief
Ward joined the department in 1930.
July 14, 1948
Daily routines of Monroe police officers got off to an unusual start this week.
Leading the developments was the arrest of two New Orleans youths Sunday morning by
Captain H. J. McMurry when he recovered a pair of his trousers the boys had taken from a local
cleaner.
Monday night a prisoner, seated in the chief's office by Captain McMurry, leaped from a
two story window and swam across the Ouachita River to West Monroe. He gave up the next
day.
And last night it was Officer H. V. Brown's time. He and Officer J. L. Standard arrested a
man for profane and indecent language and being drunk. When they arrived at the station Officer
Brown had teeth imprints on his arm. The man was booked for resisting, also.
July 15, 1948
Monroe Police officers confiscated 59 slot machines; 54 of them were in perfect working
condition. Staging the raid shortly after 8:00 A.M. were Chief H. T. Ward, Captain Frank S.
Pettit and Officer M. L. Peters. The raid was at a warehouse at 505 Olive Street. According to
Chief Ward the machines were shelved in the warehouse and completely wrapped in paper. The
machines will be destroyed upon a signed court order which is expected in the next few days.
August 13, 1948
Two new officers have been added to the Monroe Police Department, Chief H. T. Ward
revealed yesterday. Employed was James A. Head and Jasper E. Simpson.
September 16, 1948
Four members of the Monroe Police Department were moved up in rank; three were
promoted to captain and the other to sergeant.
Sergeant H. L. Tolbert, with the department for twelve years, was appointed captain to
head the Detective Bureau.
Traffic Sergeant Jack Davis was appointed captain and will be in charge of the Traffic
Department. He has been with the department seven years.
Sergeant H. J. McMurry was stepped up to captain after serving three and one half
months as Acting Captain. He has been on the force six years.
Patrolman B. J. McBride, with the department for two and a half years, was promoted to
night desk sergeant.
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December 15, 1948
Officer Charles Standard was taken to the Wright-Bendel Clinic in a police car after
being in an accident at Renwick and DeSiard Streets. Officer Standard was traveling east on
DeSiard Street on a police motorcycle when a truck pulled out of Renwick Street onto DeSiard
Street. Officer Standard suffered severe lacerations of his right leg.
January 9, 1949
Monroe police officers, acting on tips from a number of local merchants, trapped two
alleged hot check artists.
The chase began early yesterday afternoon when several merchants called police
headquarters and reported suspicious looking men were attempting to cash checks at their
businesses. Then a phone call came in from Howard Brothers Jewelry Store, 116 DeSiard Street,
stating two men were purchasing a watch there,
Officers C. W. Hand, H. V. Brown and Sergeant L. C. Taylor ran to the store where they
met Officer E. D. Otwell, Jr. entering the store. The four officers found one of the men signing a
check. The two men were taken to police headquarters and after a short questioning they were
booked. Desk Sergeant J. E. McMullen played an important role in directing the arrest.
February 13, 1949
New two-way FM radio sets were in operation last week, Chief H. T. Ward stated. The
new radios were placed in six cars and five motorcycles. The new sets replaced the old AM
radios which the department has had trouble with for the last several months.
February 1, 1949
The Monroe Police Department reported the promotion of Ralph Graves to night desk
sergeant. Sergeant Graves joined the department in 1943.
March 1, 1949
The desk sergeant's room of the Monroe Police Department, second floor of City Hall,
was undergoing changes yesterday. Carpenters moved in with their saws and hammers and got to
work, glazing and screening in a cage for the sergeant. Chief H. T. Ward said the change will
give the room more space, the desk sergeant more privacy and will eliminate a lot of noise.
March 29, 1949
Monroe Police officers have rounded up drunks in some rugged places, but when they
retrieved one from a garbage can, they hit a new low. Officers C. W. Hand and H. V. Brown
admitted they had never taken a drunk from a garbage can before. The officers had to empty the
contents of the can and man into the rear of the police car. The officers complained the closer we
came to headquarters, the worse the odor became.
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April 5, 1949
Police officers from the area began classes in a Police Identification School. Officers
from the Monroe Police Department who will attend the two week school are: George Wood,
John P. Tate, George Whitlow, Hugh L. Tolbert, Charles H. Standard, J. E. Simpson, Homer J.
McMurry, James C. Kelly, M. E. Whittington, J. C. Bryan, H. B. Johnson, W. H. Lockett, B. J.
McBride and Emmit D. Otwell.
August 3, 1949
Monroe Police Patrolman George P. Pendarvis, 35, was shot fatally this morning at 12:01
A.M. with a bullet from his own gun. His wife, Ethel, 24, shot him as they were riding in the car
down Jackson Street. They had returned from Sterlington, La. where Mrs. Pendarvis had been
staying with her parents.
Mrs. Pendarvis stated on the way to Monroe her husband had slapped her around. When
they arrived in Monroe they passed their apartment and drove down Jackson Street. Her husband
reached into the car pocket for a bottle of whiskey and when he did Mrs. Pendarvis grabbed the
gun from her husband's holster and shot him. Mrs. Pendarvis stated her husband stopped the car
and walked up the street to Chestnut Street where he fell down.
Officer W. H. Lockett stated he was on his way home with his wife when he saw a
policeman lying in the street and a woman standing over him. Lockett said he took a gun away
from her and two men helped him place Officer Pendarvis into his car. Officer Lockett took
Pendarvis and his wife to E. A. Conway Hospital. Pendarvis died at Conway Hospital at 1:05
A.M.
Mrs. Pendarvis was booked for investigation of murder at 4:30 A.M. and was transferred
to the parish jail.
Officer Pendarvis joined the department in 1947 as a patrolman and in mid 1948 he
became the city jailer. On August 1, 1948, he was transferred back to the Five Points patrol.
August 31, 1949
Burglars raided the Jewel Box Jewelry, 327 Harrison Street, around 10:00 P.M. last night.
Taken were diamonds, rings and watches valued at more than $4,000.00. Officer R. D. Hebert
discovered the burglary at 10:00 P.M. when he made his first check on doors of the downtown
stores.
Investigation revealed the burglars entered the store through the back door. Fingerprint
men and detectives were called in to investigate the burglary.
September 6, 1949
Officers Clayton Hand and H. B. Johnson went to L & H Wrecking, 2005 DeSiard Street
and talked to T. L. Lasyone. Lasyone crawled into the back seat of the police car and saw a
package lying on the back seat. Lasyone asked what was in the package and the two officers said
they did not know. The officers thought the officers from the previous shift had left the package.
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At this time the officers opened the package and a large amount of jewelry was found in
the package. The officers took the jewelry to Chief H. T. Ward and it was found to be the jewelry
from the burglary of the Jewel Box.
Chief Ward did not reveal to anyone the stolen jewelry had been found. He made an
investigation of several members of the department and other suspects. Later, Chief Ward
advanced the theory the jewelry was placed in the police car by the burglars who thought the
police were getting close.
(On February 12, 1953 the burglary of the Jewel Box was solved Wednesdaynight with the arrest of a local man. The case was solved after three and one half
years by Sheriff Bailey Grant, Bill Causey and Chief of Detectives Hugh Tolbert.
Grant and Tolbert identified W. C. Jones, who was arrested at 9:00 P.M. as one
of the parties involved in the jewelry burglary. Sheriff Grant stated the first
statement given on the case was on October 25, 1952 by C. D. Woods, Jr. Woods
stated that he and Jones had stolen the jewelry and later placed it in the police
car while it was parked in the alley behind the Central Fire Station.)
October 5, 1949
T. 0. Bancroft, prominent business man, was appointed "coordinator" of the Monroe
Police Department, it was announced by Mayor Breece and the City Council. Mr. Bancroft will
work directly with Mayor Breece and have full authority over police department policies and
personnel. He will serve without pay.
March 20, 1950
A quartet was formed by several members of the Monroe Police Department. They were
Jack Davis, Homer McMurry, Garland May, Sidney Taylor and Mrs. Naomi H. Knighton,
pianist. The quartet sang at several schools and once a week over Radio Station KMLB.
July 9, 1950
T. 0. Bancroft resigned as coordinator of the Monroe Police Department. Mayor John
Coon expressed regret over the resignation.
August 27, 1950
A Negro janitor confessed, yesterday, to taking $5,000.00 in bus tickets and cash from
City Hall over a period of two months. Captain Hugh Tolbert investigated the case and said
formal charges of grand larceny would be filed against the janitor.
August 27, 1950
The Optimist Club will sponsor a Monroe Fire and Police Department baseball game at
the American Legion Memorial Stadium on September 25, 1950. The proceeds received from the
game will be used for the Fire and Police Pension Fund and also the Optimist Boys work fund to
put reflectors on every bicycle in the Twin Cities.
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The police officers on the team were: J. E. Simpson, Floyd Van, manager, Captain W. F.
Johnson, Captain J. B. Whitfield, E. D. Otwell, Captain H. J. McMurry, David Antley, M. L.
Spangler, Chief H. T. Ward, J. C. Bryan, Sergeant J. E. McMullen and David Barnes. The
firemen won 21 to 10.
September 25, 1950
H. T. Ward resigned as Monroe's Chief of Police and M. L. Peters was appointed Acting
Chief of Police, Mayor John Coon announced. Ward will retire October 1, 1950 and has been a
member of the force for 28 years. Peters, 34, joined the department on April 12, 1941.
December 3, 1950
Monroe's City Jail has recently undergone a thorough job of repairing and painting. The
jail hasn't had a complete overhaul job since 191C when City Hall was built. Jailer L. P. Smith
took the press on a tour.
February 7, 1951
Police Chief M. L. Peters explained, today, all city gambling cases would be handled
through the police department's Captains and Detective force. He asserted that patrolmen have
been advised to report any gambling found in the city to their captains who will notify city
detectives. These detectives are well qualified to obtain evidence in gambling cases.
March 12, 1951
The identification of a criminal by his fingerprints and accurate description and
knowledge of methods used by specific offenders as well as his habits and characteristics, is
essential in the operation of any law enforcing agency. To remedy the inadequate criminal files
at Monroe Police, Sergeant L. C. Taylor was assigned the job of establishing an A-l
identification and records bureau. Sergeant Taylor took on this job in November 1948. Last week
the biggest part of the job was completed.
In little over a year Sergeant Taylor has provided police officers and detectives with a
quick check on any one of 12,775 persons. This will help to speed up the investigations of
crimes.
April 27, 1951
Chief M. L. Peters announced Monroe Police Department has added two new machine
guns, four high powered rifles, four pump-type shotguns and a gas gun that can explode its tear
gas projectile through a wooden barricade 350 yards away. He said this would enable the
department to deal effectively with what he termed unusual disturbances such as riots.
June 1, 1951
Monroe Police Department's shooting team won first place at the annual Louisiana Peace
Officers meeting in Lafayette. The officers on the team were: Captain Bill Soureal, Officer Ralph
Graves, E. D. Otwell and Captain J. B. Whitfield. Captain Soureal took second place in the state
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individual matches. Officer E. D. Otwell was proclaimed the state champion. Officer C. W. Hand
placed first in the Tyro class.
June 21, 1951
Monroe police officers received their new summer uniforms today. The summer uniforms
were nickel grey gaberdine pants and grey poplin shirts. It is worn with a black tie, belt and
shoes. The caps to the uniforms have a black bill and matching nickel grey top. The lady radio
operators were issued a tailored nickel grey skirt and a white sport blouse.
The officers working the first shift at this time were: Captain Frank S. Pettit, Sergeant H.
R. Wall, Sergeant J. E. McMullen, Officers C. W. Hand, J. E. Simpson, A, L. Cornett, H. B.
Johnson and Mrs. Jerry McBride, radio operator.
December 13, 1951
A committee from the Monroe Police Department headed by Patrolman J. C. Kelly had a
meeting with Mayor John Coon requesting an adjustment be made in the pay scale for patrolmen
which would correspond with other cities. In reply to the request, Mayor Coon said he was very
much in favor of a pay scale used in Alexandria by which patrolmen received $30.00 more than
the $210.00 paid here in Monroe. He stated the city council would have to approve it before it
could be done.
July 29, 1951
Monroe Police Department received a new Ford Panel Truck. The truck was black and
named "Black Maria." The truck holds two benches in the back and will seat six. A specially
built compartment will house guns of all types, such as shotguns, gas and machine guns. The
Black Maria will be used as a patrol wagon. (Ed Harper drove a Black Maria back in 1926. It is
believed horses or mules pulled this wagon.)
September 13, 1951
Officers R. L. Johnson and G. E. Cowart, who had been dismissed from the Monroe
Police Department because of a cut in the yearly budget, were reinstated Wednesday by the City
Council.
A delegation of officers headed by Officer J. C. Kelly, and a group of citizens appeared
before the Council asking for the reinstatement of Johnson and Cowart.
Also brought up at this meeting by Officer David Antley was the difference in salaries
between uniformed officers and detectives. A detective is paid $250.00 a month and a uniform
officer of the same rank is paid $210.00 a month.
Captain of Detectives Hugh Tolbert receives $325.00 a month and the captain of the
second shift, Captain John Whitfield, receives $262.50 a month. A detective sergeant's pay is
$275.00 and a uniformed sergeant's pay is $232.50 a month.
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February 27, 1952
A Negro, who had been housed in the Negro male section of the jail for fourteen days
was found to be a woman.
Captain Homer McMurry stated he had entered the men's cell after a trusty had informed
him that a male prisoner had drawn a knife on the inmates after they had threatened to make
"him" take a bath. "He" had not taken a bath in fourteen days. The jailer took the knife away and
the prisoner then told the jailer he was a woman. "He" stated he had been posing as a man for
eleven years because it was easier to obtain employment.
A local doctor was called in and he advised "he" was a woman. She was transferred to a
woman's cell. She also stated she had an eleven year old daughter who was in an orphan's home.
The "male" was arrested on February 14, 1952 by Detective Sergeant B. J. McBride and
Identification Officer L. P. Smith for damage to property.
May 8, 1952
A man booked for attempted murder Tuesday night at Monroe Police headquarters was
denied admission to the Ouachita Parish Jail.
Officer David Antley took his prisoner to the parish jail and was advised by Jailer Loy
Scarborough that Sheriff Bailey Grant had issued orders that Antley was not to be admitted to the
parish jail and a prisoner was not to be received from him. However, the problems between
Sheriff Grant and Officer Antley were cleared up and he was allowed to take a prisoner to the
parish jail.
August 1, 1952
Chief M. L. Peters announced Friday the appointment of George Wood to the position of
Assistant Chief of Police. (This was the first Assistant Chief position made.)
Assistant Chief Wood has been with the department since December 2, 1942, His first
duties were as a patrolman before being promoted to desk sergeant Later, he was assigned to the
Detective Department and then assumed duties as Vice-Inspector.
Further appointments were: H. L. Tolbert as Chief of Detectives, B. J. McBride as
Captain of Detectives and L. C. Taylor as Captain of Identification.
August 19, 1952
Chief of Police M. L. Peters ordered Chief Hugh Tolbert suspended for ten days
following a disagreement over the use of one of the detective's automobiles. The automobile is
assigned to Chief Tolbert for official use. Chief Peters ordered the vehicle be turned over to
another police department for use on Sunday, Tolbert refused and was suspended.
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June 22, 1953
Captain B. J. McBride of the Monroe Detective Department is graduating from the
University of Louisville School of Law. Captain McBride is one of the top students and is
graduating with high honors.
Captain McBride completed a twelve week course in scientific crime detection and police
administration. Captain McBride will serve as an instructor to other members of the Detective
Department.
July 19, 1953
Members of the Monroe Detective Force and the Chief and Assistant Chief of Police
were given adjustment raises this week. The Chief of Police's new salary is $435.00 a month
instead of $396.00. The Assistant Chief will get $415.00 instead of $325.00. The uniformed
officers were torn by dissension because of the pay adjustment for the detectives. Chief Peters
said a pay raise was submitted for the uniformed officers but the funds were unobtainable.
July 28, 1953
For four hours Tuesday morning only one police automobile patrolled the entire City of
Monroe. The single car was operated by two officers.
The car handled all cases, both traffic and criminal, for the four hour period beginning at
1:00 A.M. From 9:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M. three cars were on patrol. These were the traffic car,
criminal car and the detective car. The traffic car goes off at 11:00 P.M. At 1:00 A.M. the
detective car goes off duty.
Reason for the shortage of men last night and this morning, according to police officers,
were vacations, illness and days off.
August 12, 1953
Four members of the Monroe Police Department have been changed to other shifts in
order to provide more protection for the city.
Patrolmen Marvin L. Spangler and David Barnes were moved from the morning shift to
the evening shift. This shift operates from 1:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. Taken from this shift were
David F. Antley and Gerald E. Cowart, who were placed on the night shift. The change left only
three men on the morning shift but according to Assistant Chief George Wood, the number
would be sufficient since traffic officers and detectives would be on duty at this time.
September 8, 1953
Mayor John E. Coon announced the appointment of Ansley Reed and Roosevelt Hatten
as officers for the Monroe Police Department. Both officers were assigned to the night shift and
will work the Negro section of town.
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September 22, 1953
Mayor John E. Coon announced today that Captain John B. Whitfield has been named
Juvenile Officer for the City of Monroe. Captain Whitfield has been on the force for eleven
years.
April 9, 1954
Monroe's new radar traffic control was given its first official test here Friday morning
while some fifteen officials looked on. The radar was set up for the test on Highway 80 outside
the city limits. The test ran for thirty minutes. New signs have been placed around the City of
Monroe warning motorists that radar would be used to catch speeders.
June 1, 1954
Forty-three law enforcement officers graduated from the L.S.U. In-Training program.
Members of the Monroe Police Department receiving certificates were: J. E. Simpson, George
Whitlow, H. R. Wall, Luther P. Smith, J. P. Tate, Sidney G. Martin, William F. Johnson and
Gerald E. Cowart.
June 3, 1954
Rufie Parker, for 28 years a member of the Monroe Police Department, has retired.
Parker joined the force on December 16, 1927.
June 23, 1954
Monroe Police reported Wednesday what apparently was the first incident of a racial
nature in this area since the U. S. Supreme Court ban against segregation was issued.
The report said the incident occurred when Jessie Mae Harris, a 27 year old Negro
woman, boarded a city bus at North Fourteenth and Washington Streets with a small child in her
arms. She took a seat at the extreme front of the bus next to an unidentified white woman. The
bus driver told her to move to the rear of the bus. When she did not move the bus driver called
Monroe police officers to the scene. The woman told officers she sat at the front because there
were no vacant seats at the rear and she could not stand holding a baby. Officers averted further
dispute at the scene by taking the woman to her destination in the police car.
August 7, 1954
Two automobiles collided on Louisville Avenue shortly before 10:00 P.M. yesterday. A
Monroe police car racing to the scene tangled with another vehicle almost two blocks from the
scene of the first accident. Sergeant J. E. McMullen received a minor arm injury that required
treatment but he was not hospitalized. Officer Ocie Howard, driver of the police car, escaped
injury. The front end of the police car was smashed in.
September 30, 1954
Ten previously unsolved burglaries committed here over the past six months have been
cleared by the arrest of two juveniles.
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Investigating officers were Major John B. Whitfield, Captain Johnson and Detectives
Haywood and Van.
November 16, 1954
About $300.00 damage was estimated Tuesday to a Monroe Police car involved in a
collision with another vehicle at DeSiard and North Seventh Streets. City Detective Floyd Van
was driving the police car when it hit a vehicle that ran a stop sign at North Seventh Street,
according to Police sergeant H. Wall and Officer M. L. Spangler.
May 30, 1955
Major John B. Whitfield, City Juvenile Officer, went back on regular duties here Monday
after completing a three month course in juvenile work at the University of Southern California.
During his absence, Whitfield's duties were taken over by Sergeant J. C. Kelly of the Traffic
Department. Kelly was replaced by Patrolman George Whitlow.
Mayor John E. Coon said Kelly, with the rank of sergeant, will remain in the Juvenile
Department under Major Whitfield. Whitlow will be permanent sergeant in Kelly's place in the
Traffic Department.
June 6, 1955
For persons who call the Monroe Police Department for the first time and expect to hear a
gruff sergeant answer the phone, there is a surprise when they find themselves talking to a softspoken, courteous young lady. These are the radio operators and desk clerks who handle all
telephone calls and send the message over the radio.
Friends will readily identify them as Mrs. Eloise Haywood, Mrs. Catheleen Bryan or
Mrs. Jerry McBride, depending on the time of day that the call is placed. For nearly five years
now the attractive young ladies have been manning the police switchboard and radio.
June 12, 1955
Monroe Chief of Detectives Hugh Tolbert said Sergeant S. 0. Martin of the Police
Forgery Detail arrested a subject in connection with the cashing of worthless checks here. He
was booked on a charge of theft by check and transferred to the parish jail.
Tolbert also reported the arrest of a subject for burglary by Captain Frank Pettit and
Officer Marvin Spangler on a charge of burglary of the American Legior Home.
September 22, 1955
Mayor John E. Coon has appointed Sergeant George Whitlow and Officer W. F. Johnson
as Director and Assistant Director of the Monroe Police Academy. Johnson explained that
courses at the Training Academy will be for nevt officers as well as the officers already on
regular duty.
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January 7, 1956
Fifty-six Monroe and Ruston area law enforcement officers will graduate from a
seventeen week advanced course of the LSU In-Service Police Training School next Wednesday.
Monroe police officers that graduated were G. E. Cowart, Major J. P. Tate, Detective William A.
Haywood and Detectives James C. Bryan.
May 18, 1956
A new method of burglary for this city was employed in the jewelry store burglary of
Howard Brothers, 116 DeSiard Street, where rings valued at $1,750.00 were taken sometime
Thursday night, Chief of Detectives Hugh Tolbert reported Friday. The window was shot into by
an air pellet gun twice to break the glass; then a tiny hole was enlarged by using a three corner
file. A wire was then used to hook six engagement rings and a diamond wedding band.
May 28, 1956
The first class at the Monroe Police Training Academy began. It was held at the U. S.
Army Reserve Officers Training building at Selman Field. The students attend class for eight
hours each day, Monday through Friday, and one day each week will practice special "on-thejob" training. The students will receive a small salary from the police department now and will
be placed on the Monroe Police Force as provisional officers upon graduation.
Attending the school are: Grover D. Glasscock, Fred Grant, Charles Tarver, C. D.
Dulaney, Eddie Ratcliff, Leo Earl, Leo Pardue, P. L. Hendricks, Jr. and Charlie Sowell.
July 1, 1956
Police Local No. 775 Friday afternoon voted unanimously to protest the city council's
actions in hiking salaries of members of the department who plan to retire or eligible for
retirement, a spokesman for the union said yesterday.
The meeting was called shortly after the city council agreed to hike Chief of Police M. L.
Peters' salary from $435.00 a month to $450.00 per month prior to his retirement on July 1. The
council had previously boosted Chief of Detectives Hugh Tolbert's salary to $450.00 a month.
July 11, 1956
James C. Kelly, a sergeant in the Juvenile Department, yesterday was appointed Acting
Chief of Police by Mayor W. L. Howard. In accepting the office, Chief Kelly said, "I am grateful
for the trust Mayor Howard has placed in me in assigning me to this position. I will work
untiringly to bring harmony, better working conditions, better living standards and better
understanding to this department."
July 16, 1956
A cornered fox in the city limits can cause plenty of excitement. One such case occurred
here yesterday afternoon, attracting throngs of adults, children and yelping dogs to the scene.
Scores of people gathered near, but not too near, a culvert at 1101 South Ninth Street to watch
the extrication of a fighting fox.
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Captain Allen J. Corbin, along with E. E. Robertson, a Monroe Police Academy Officer,
answered the call. They said the fox fought like a tiger.
rabies.
The fox was caught and taken to the pound where officers said he would be examined for
July 25, 1956
The apparent unselfishness of a group of higher ranking police department officers who
came out for wielding the economy ax on their salaries in order to increase the pay for lower
ranking officers highlighted the first meeting of the newly sworn Monroe Commission Council.
The new pay schedule was the Chief of Police salary which will be reduced from $450,00
to $425.00 a month; Assistant Chief of Police cut from $415.00 tc $360.00 a month; Chief of
Detectives from $450.00 to $360.00 a month; Majors from $375.00 to $318.75 a month; Captain
of Detectives from $355.00 to $318.75 a month; Captain of Identification from $355.00 to
$318.75 a month; Sergeant of Detectives from $310.00 to $280.50 a month; Technician from
$310.00 to $280.50 a month; Detectives from $285.00 to $255.00 a month.
Receiving increased salaries were: Uniform Captains from $299.25 tc $318.75 a month;
Uniform Sergeants from $263.34 to $280.50 a month; Uniform Patrolman First Class from
$239.40 to $255.00 a month; and Uniform Patrolman Privates from $225.00 to $255.00 a month.
The salary change goes into effect August 1, 1956.
August 5, 1956
Chief of Detectives Hugh Tolbert has retired from the Monroe Police Department after
twenty years of service. Mayor W. L. Howard stated we are losing a valuable and loyal man and
the city and the public in general is indebted to him. Chief Tolbert joined the department on
August 3, 1936 as a patrolman.
September 16, 1956
Loya Zeigler, an established killer, ventured out of his hiding place last night and walked
into one of the most extensive police dragnets ever established in Monroe.
Zeigler was spotted by an officer on the levee along Riverside Drive last night shortly
after he left an oleander bush which was two and a half blocks from where a Texas woman was
brutally slain Thursday morning. Zeigler said he had been in hiding in the bush for the entire
fifty hours he had been sought.
He was actually taken into custody just outside his hotel. Zeigler was arrested by Officer
Joseph Battaglia who was covering the Five Points beat. Zeigler had killed a 28 year old Texas
woman in the 300 block of McKinley.
November 9, 1956
Monroe Police receive many calls involving family arguments but the call they took
Thursday night tops the list.
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Thursday night policemen were called to settle an argument between a husband and wife.
The cause of the argument was a contest to determine who could drink the most whiskey, the
husband or the wife. The police didn't referee the drinking bout, instead they gave the wayward
couple a lecture and instructed them to behave. It is still unknown who was the champion, the
husband or the wife.
November 16, 1956
car.
The Monroe Police Department had two new additions Friday, a policeman and a new
Loyd Ferrington, 25, was sworn in as the 50th police officer. He was sworn in by Judge
W. M. Harper.
Mayor W. L. Howard reported the City of Monroe has traded in a deteriorated police car
for a 1956 vehicle. The city purchased the vehicle for $1,500.00.
November 30, 1956
Sergeant H. R. Wall and fourteen policemen will hasten the flow of traffic in the
downtown area during the Christmas season. The men will work from 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.
each day with the exception of Sunday until Christmas. They will wear white helmets, white
gloves and shirts and a dark uniform.
January 9, 1957
Thirty-two law enforcement officers from the area received certificates last night from
the LSU In-Service Training program. The school was for seventeen weeks. Those receiving
certificates from the Monroe Police Department were: James C. Kelly, Jr., Howard B. Brown,
Eddie D. Ratcliff, Charlie E. Sowell, P. L. Hendricks, C. D. Dulaney, Grover D. Glasscock,
William A. Lockett and Edward Leo Earl.
February 15, 1957
Monroe Chief of Police James C. Kelly, Jr. will leave March 15 for Washington, D.C.
where he will attend the National Academy of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Mayor W. L.
Howard said this morning.
In announcing the date of Kelly's departure, Mayor Howard pointed out that the work
Chief Kelly has done since he took office has brought about considerable improvements in the
department.
February 26, 1957
Former Chief of Police M. L. Peters has applied for reinstatement as Chief of Police with
the Monroe Police Department. Chief Peters retired on July 1, 1956 on a disability pension.
According to medical reports he had an infected liver. The Monroe Pension Board had a hearing
on the matter but would not let Chief Peters return as Chief of Police.
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August 4, 1957
Captain Frank S. Pettit retired from the Monroe Police Department on August 1, 1957.
Chief J. C. Kelly, Jr. presented a gold engraved watch to Captain Pettit, from the members of the
department, for his 47 years, 11 months with the department.
In 1909, while Captain Pettit was working as a pool guard he was approached by Mayor
A. A. Forsythe who asked Captain Pettit if he would be interested in becoming a city policeman.
Mayor Forsythe advised they were going to elect new police officers that night. Captain Pettit
agreed to accept a nomination for the position of police officer. Captain Pettit was elected and he
was one of six men on the force in 1909. The officers wore a large white hat and a blue uniform.
The officers worked twelve hours a day, seven days a week for $65.00 a month. The officers
patrolled up and down the streets either walking or on horses. Pettit recalled many times he had
to haul a drunk onto his horse and take him to the station. When the department went to
automobiles, Captain Pettit kept his horse "Bill" for five years afterwards for hunting.
September 7, 1957
Mrs. Neva P. Thornhill has been employed in the capacity of Parking Meter Clerk.
Working in the same capacity are Mrs. Jessie Jordon, Miss Myrtle Duggins and Mrs. Lula Smith.
January 20, 1958
Law enforcement officers from eleven departments were enrolled in a course of Criminal
Photography in Monroe. The school was sponsored by the LSU in-service Training program.
Those from the Monroe Police Department attending the course are: Edmond W. Smith,
Louis G. Garrett, Marvin L. Spangler and Ralph P. Graves.
January 21, 1958
"Curb-Cops" have been installed on DeSiard Street. The Curb-Cops provide a place for
persons receiving parking violation tickets to deposit the fine without having to go to police
headquarters. The special devices are located on both the north and south sides of DeSiard Street.
February 17, 1958
Patrolman Dan Jackson, while making a routine check in the downtown area, observed a
mar. operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor. After placing the
driver under arrest for DWI, Officer Jackson radioed headquarters for assistance. The passenger
in the car got into the police car and began fighting with Officer Jackson. When officers arrived
to assist, the driver was arrested for DWI and the passenger was booked for being drunk,
disturbing the peace, using profane language and resisting arrest.
February 18, 1958
The 13th Annual Convention of the Municipal Police Officers Association of Louisiana
will be held in Monroe March 2 through March 5, George Wood, President, has announced.
Wood, who is the Assistant Chief of Police for the Monroe Police Department, said he expects
this year's meeting to be the largest in the organization's history.
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March 9, 1958
Tom Davenport, Monroe attorney who is a founder of the Municipal Police Officers
Association of Louisiana and has served as its legal counsel since the beginning in 1945, was
presented a watch as a token of appreciation from the organization.
L. C. Taylor, past President of MPOA of Louisiana, and Assistant Chief George Wood,
who is immediate past President of the organization, presented the watch to Mr. Davenport.
July 1, 1958
Chief James C. Kelly, Jr. announced yesterday that ten new police officers would begin a
month of study on police work. Since local police instructors will give the course of instructions
to the new officers, officials believe this will be an improvement over other schools.
New men added to the department are: Jerry Roden, J. B. Sullivan, Howard S. Williams,
Willis E. Warner, James H. Deal, Elmer N. London, Richard H. Breland, John N. Hamilton,
Laymon L. Godwin and Edward W. Maroney.
The police instructors for the training are: Chief James C. Kelly, Major John B.
Whitfield, Major Jack Davis, Sergeant George Whitlow, Sergeant Ralph P. Graves, Captain L. C.
Taylor, Sergeant W. J. Hunnicutt and Captain H. E. Johnson.
July 13, 1958
A 19 year old Monroe youth was in the Monroe Jail last night charged with committing a
battery on a police officer.
Officer David Antley attempted to arrest the youth on charges of disturbing the peace and
public intoxication. When Officer Antley placed the youth under arrest he punched at the officer.
He was charged with committing a battery, drunk, disturbing the peace, resisting arrest and
vagrancy.
July 31, 1958
today.
Chief James C. Kelly, Jr. announced the promotion of H. R. Wall and William H. Lockett
H. R. Wall, who has served as sergeant since April 1, 1948, was promoted to captain and
will be assigned to the night shift.
Promoted to sergeant was William H. Lockett, member of the department since February
17, 1947. He will remain on the morning shift.
The promotions were made due to the retirement of Captain William H. Soureal who
retired on July 25.
Moving up to the morning shift was Captain Allen Corbin, and Captain J. E. McMullen
will be in charge of the evening shift.
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September 9, 1958
The Monroe Police Department will put into action a group of six new motorcycles to
check for traffic violations around schools. Chief Kelly also stated the motorcycles will handle
traffic problems formerly handled by the patrol cars.
Officers assigned to the motorcycles are: Sergeant George Whitlow and Patrolmen James
Deal, Jerry Roden, Louis Garrett, Jake H. Gregory and Laymor Godwin. Assigned to the
downtown traffic beats are: Patrolmen John N. Hamilton, Jr., Richard Breland and Howard S.
William.
September 25, 1958
Patrolman David Antley or the Monroe Police Department is back at work after
recuperating from injuries received in an automobile accident on September 4. Antley suffered a
slight concussion and strained neck muscles when the police car which he was driving was
struck broadside at the intersection of South Eighth and Orange Streets.
October 21, 1958
While Patrolman James H. Deal was patrolling in the 2200 block of South Grand Street
he found a bank deposit bag in the gutter. Upon checking Officer Deal found $145.00 in cash
and $45.76 in checks. The money and checks were taken to police headquarters and Northside
Barber Shop was notified. The operator of the barber shop picked up his money.
October 25, 1958
While Officer D. L. Barnes was directing traffic at the DeSiard Street Traffic Bridge he
was hit on the leg by a vehicle. The driver of the vehicle was charged with reckless driving and
negligent injury. Officer Barnes was not seriously hurt.
December 2, 1958
Promotions of five members of the Monroe Police Department were announced by Chief
James Kelly, Jr. The promotions became effective yesterday.
Promoted from the rank of captain to the Major of Detectives was H. B. Johnson, a
veteran of twelve years on the force. He will be in charge of both the Detective and Juvenile
Divisions,
Other detective promotions include Ralph P. Graves from sergeant to captain and
William F. Johnson from detective to sergeant.
In the Uniform Division, W. J. Hunnicutt was promoted to captain from sergeant. Marvin
Spangler was promoted to sergeant and will be assigned to the night shift.
January 14, 1959
Two Louisiana Training Institute youths escaped. They found a 1959 Ford parked on
Texas Avenue with the keys in the vehicle. After taking the vehicle they found they had stolen a
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police detective car belonging to the Monroe Police Department. It had been left by a detective
working on a case.
The LTI escapees abandoned the vehicle and caught a ride to Rayville where they were
picked up.
January 24, 1959
A 139-car train heading north was halted at 11:15 P.M. January 23, 1959 when a burning
tank car caused 32 other sections of the train to jump the track. The accident happened three and
one half miles south of Monroe on the Missouri Pacific Railroad line. Firemen and Missouri
Pacific crewmen worked for over eighteen hours trying to put the fire out and clear the track.
This accident brought several hundred spectators to the scene to watch the fire. At 7:00
P.M. January 24, 1959, a tank car exploded and landed 200 feet away in a cotton field. The
exploding tank car sent a blanket of fire over the heads of the workers and spectators. This
caused injuries to fifty-two bystanders and workers, and death to seven. (This accident made the
city and Police officials realize they did not have sufficient manpower to handle a disaster such
as this; therefore, the Monroe Police Auxiliary force was formed later in 1959.)
January 26, 1959
A West Monroe woman was in serious condition after a two car accident late yesterday.
The driver of the second car was Patrolman P. L. Hendricks, Jr. of the Monroe Police
Department.
Officer Hendricks was giving an emergency escort to a taxi along Texas Avenue. When
Officer Hendricks came to the intersection of South First Street the driver of the other vehicle did
not hear the siren of the police car and failed to stop. Both of these vehicles were demolished.
The taxi was behind the police car and swerved around the wrecked cars and hit a utility pole.
Officer Hendricks received minor injuries.
February 8, 1959
Monroe Police Chief James C. Kelly, Jr. and Civil Defense Representative Walter Veach
began drafting plans to organize an Auxiliary Police Force. Efforts to expand local Civil Defense
aid were launched by Mayor W. L. Howard after the train disaster.
May 20, 1959
Seventeen policemen, twelve from the Monroe Police Department, completed a
seventeen week advance course from the LSU In-Service Training. Monroe police officers
receiving certifications were: Howard Brown, Louis Garrett, Clayton Hand, Jake H. Gregory,
Renford Rogers, Louis W. Kemp, R. L. Johnson, Dan Jackson, Jerry Roden, Jimmy H. Deal,
Ocie Howard and Marvin Spangler.
June 3, 1959
Captain William H. Soureal, 54, died Thursday of a heart attack, Captain Soureal retired
from the Monroe Police Department last year after twenty years service.
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June 30, 1959
Patrolman Virgil Parker of the Monroe Police Department was asked how he felt when he
delivered his own child. "Man, I was scared to death! I still have not gotten over it" was his
comment.
The arrival came at 4:00 A.M. and before Parker could get an ambulance 01 the doctor to
his home his wife gave birth to a 7 pound 3 ounce son which he had to deliver. His son was
named Virgil Parker, Jr. and is now a patrolman with the Monroe Police Department.
August 2, 1959
Thirty-seven men graduated from a fourteen week Auxiliary Police training course two
weeks ago. All 37 are well respected members of the community and are to supplement the
regular police force in the time of emergency, Chief James C. Kelly, Jr. said.
Sergeant W. F. Johnson heads the Auxiliary Force and coordinates its activities with the
police department.
When the force was formed they were issued a white cap, white shirt and dark pants.
They wore a triangular civil Defense shoulder patch and silver badge with a Civil Defense red
emblem on it. (A short time later they were issued the same uniforms the regular officers wore.)
The following names were the first members of the Monroe Police Auxiliary Force:
Thomas C. Agnew, William H. Anders, Jr., Kent L. Babb, John H. Birdsong, Carlos L. Christian,
Louis S. Daniels, Max S. Dillingham, Simmie W. Dulaney, Melvin J. Duvall, Donald E. Gill,
Henry H. Hathorn, Alton 0. Houston, Joseph B. Jacobs, Oyd W. Johnson, Alex G. Johnston,
Willis D. King, Walter E. Laurent, William B. Lueg, Jr., David H. Masur, Russell McCoy,
Merlin L. Milstead, Richard Minor, Jr., Charles H. Osborne, E. A. Porter, Jr., Harlan Prestridge,
Joe F. Rabun, Bryan B. Ritter, David F. Russell, Joe V. Sampognaro, Graham Silverton, E. D.
Slaughter, Jimmie A. Stringer, John C. Thrower, Wilbert E. Tyler, Charles H. Whitard, Harvey
E. White and H. W. Williams.
December 1, 1959
Twenty-nine men will be graduated tonight in a special ceremony at the Paragon Club.
They will be sworn in as Auxiliary Officers for the Monroe Police Department. The second
group of men sworn in 'as Auxiliary Officers are: Talmadge Anthony, James J. Balsamo, Stanley
Boggs, Stanley Brister, Alton D. Brown, Milton Craighead, Richard Church, Thomas Easterling,
Cliff Ferguson, Richard Green, Charles Hamilton, Alva Harkins, Charles Hill, Lawrence
Hunnicutt, Melvin Loper, John Mathieu, Joe McKee, Thomas McMath, Edmond Middleton,
Edward Morrison, Wiley Mosley, William Ober, James Sandifer, Royce Sandifer, Jerry
Shoemaker, William Simpson, Bobby West, Robert Wilhite and Robert Young.
January 7, 1961
Frank S. Pettit, retired captain of the Monroe Police Department who served 47 years and
11 months, died yesterday. He was 80 years old. He joined the department in the summer of
1909, moving through the ranks from patrolman to captain. He retired on August 2, 1957.
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March 6, 1961
Monroe Police have booked nine Negroes for aggravated battery following a disturbance
in the 1200 block of DeSiard Street. One of the Negroes was a juvenile. Chief James C. Kelly, Jr.
said four officers received slight injuries in quieting the disturbance. Some of the Negroes also
received slight injuries.
Officers injured included Patrolman James H. Deal, who suffered a laceration and bruises
on the head and body, Patrolman Howard Williams who had a bruised side, Captain J. E.
McMullen who had slight bruises and cuts and Chief Kelly who was bruised about the body and
head.
June 11, 1961
Captain J. E. McMullen was on his way home after getting off work at 10:00 P.M. at the
Monroe Police Department. He was driving down South Grand Street when he observed an
apartment on fire. Captain McMullen was told a young man was still in the burning apartment.
He ran into the apartment and pulled out Cecil E. Cullipher from the fire.
November 3, 1961
Monroe Police motorcycle officers donned new uniforms which included special boots
and helmets. The helmets, reinforced to prevent injuries, were made in Western Germany.
Officers receiving the new helmets were: Patrolmen E. W. Maroney, W. E. Warner, Jerry Rodeu,
Billy Copeland, Grover D. Glasscock, Billy Greer and Louis G. Garrett.
May 23, 1962
Officer Harry H. Petty was assigned the beat near the Western Union office on South
Grand Street. Upon checking his beat he observed the night manager was not in the office.
Officer Petty sensed something was wrong and went inside to check. While he was checking, a
subject ran down the stairs. Officer Petty ordered the subject to stop but he turned and ran out the
back door. Officer Petty gave chase and again ordered the subject to stop. After he didn't, Officer
Petty fired two warning shots. The subject then stopped and turned around. The subject had on a
mask. It was later found the subject had robbed the Western Union. He was booked for armed
robbery.
December 2, 1962
Assistant Chief of Police George Wood was honored at his retirement party held at the
Monroe Police Department Friday. The men on the department presented Chief Wood with a
gold and silver badge bearing two small diamonds and an inscription of his name, rank and time
of service, at a gathering in the police lounge. Chief Wood joined the department on December
2, 1942.
December 31, 1962
The Monroe News-Star started running a picture of local law officers each day in the
paper. The following Monroe officers that had their picture in the paper were: Chief James C.
Kelly, Jr., Assistant Chief Ralph Graves, Major Jack Davis, Major H. B. Johnson, Major L. P.
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Smith, Major John P. Tate, Captain William A. Corbin, Captain H. R. Wall, Captain L. C.
Taylor, Captain Sidney G. Martin, Captain James C. Bryan, Captain W. C. Oglesbee, Captain
William H. Lockett, Sergeant James L. Standard, Sergeant Clayton W. Hand, Sergeant William
F. Johnson, Sergeant Floyd Van, Sergeant George Whitlow, Sergeant Gerald E. Cowart,
Sergeant Marvin L. Spangler, Sergeant Louis Garrett, Sergeant R. L. Johnson, Howard V.
Brown, Billy E. Copeland, C. D. Dulaney, Enunett D. Otwell, Charlie F. Sowell, Leo Earl, Fred
L. Grant, Grover D. Glasscock, Willis E. Warner, Billy R. Greer, Jerry D. Roden, Edward W.
Maroney, Sam D. Scott, Edmond W. Smith, James H. Deal, John N. Hamilton, Jr., William E.
Jones, Simmie W. Dulaney, Gerald L. Earl, Frank W. Webb, Don M. Hill, Louis W. Kemp,
Elmer N. London, Jr., Kenneth D. Day, Arnold L. Moore, Willie E. Watson, Raymond J. Nelson,
Richard S. Minor, Roosevelt Hattin, Ansley Reed, Joseph G. Poe, Mrs. Margaret F. Woodruff,
Mrs. Frances O'Neal, Mrs. Catheleen Bryan, Mrs. Eloise Haywood, Mrs. Laura Z. Roberts, Mrs.
Vera Minor and Mrs. Joan Thomas.
On the department, but aid not have their pictures made were: Captain W. J. Hunnicutt,
Harry Petty and Charles Myers.
March 3, 1963
The Monroe Police Department Saturday booked a Pine Bluff, Arkansas man on four
separate charges following an incident in a local bar where a Monroe officer was injured. The
man was booked for aggravated battery, resisting an officer, disturbing the peace and drunk.
Officer Frank Webb was struck on the back with a chair while investigating a fight which
occurred earlier. He was x-rayed and held for overnight observation at St. Francis Hospital.
March 9, 1963
Quick action by Monroe Patrolman Harry Petty probably saved the life of a woman early
Saturday morning when she became trapped in her flame-engulfed home at 1406 South Sixth
Street.
Officer Petty was on patrol when he observed smoke and flames coming from the
residence. He called police headquarters and advised them to call the Monroe Fire Department.
At this time Officer Petty was advised someone was in the residence. Officer Petty pulled a
screen off a window and entered the residence. After entering, smoke became too thick and
Officer Petty tried to find the window but could not see the window. Officer Petty started feeling
around for the window and one of two neighbors pulled him out of the house. Officer Jasper
Simpson arrived to assist. Petty and Simpson went to the rear of the house where they heard
someone crying. They broke out a window and were able to pull a young lady out of the fire. She
was taken to St. Francis Hospital where she was treated for burns and other injuries.
April 6, 1963
A pre-dawn fire raged through Hogan's Supermarket on Winnsboro Road at 4:30 A.M.
Saturday morning. The fire destroyed the store.
While firemen battled the fire, trying to bring it under control, a male spectator tried to
take a fire hose away from a fireman and fight the fire. The subject was arrested by Officer
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Elmer London for public drunk, disturbing the peace, resisting arrest and interfering with
firemen while they were attempting to carry out their duties.
October 8, 1963
A 23 year old Fargo, Illinois man was booked for burglary of The Palace, 206 DeSiard
Street, after being caught inside the building. An officer on patrol about 3:00 A.M. found the
plate glass door on the rear of the building broken. After notifying headquarters a search was
made of the building. The subject was found and he had a bag of ladies apparel and his pants
pockets were full of ladies panties.
October 27, 1963
Monroe Police early today apprehended a 47 year old Negro male parolee from the
Louisiana State Penitentiary and booked him for burglary of homes in several sections of the
city.
He was apprehended following a chase in the 1100 block of North Eleventh Street and
the drainage canal in the north part of Monroe. He had committed house burglaries for over
eleven months before being caught.
November 29, 1963
Officer Willis Watson has returned from school where he was trained in police dog
handling. When he returned he also brought his dog, Trooper. They both are now patrolling the
streets of Monroe.
February 29, 1964
A West Monroe man was hospitalized Saturday with possible serious injuries after he
jumped from the Louisville Traffic Bridge while trying to escape from police officers.
According to police, the man had been arrested for disturbing the peace and on the way to
jail, he jumped from the police car and ran up on the bridge. When officers pursued him, he
jumped over the side from a height of 29 feet. He was also charged with simple escape.
April 23, 1964
A Monroe Police officer shot and killed a man who charged him with a knife in a local
hotel early today. Chief James C. Kelly said the man was living at the Alvis Hotel and was a 42
year old veteran. Kelly said the man was shot twice in the chest by Patrolman Jack L. Brantley
who had been summoned to the hotel by the manager. The incident occurred at about 12:44 A.M.
Chief Kelly said the night manager saw Officer Brantley on foot patrol and asked him to
help with a man with a knife. Officer Brantley found the man in the lobby with a knife in his
hand. He was ordered to drop the knife, but instead, he charged the officer. Officer Brantley tried
to turn him back with his night stick but was unable to do so. The officer then pulled his gun and
shot the man.
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January 9, 1965
Monroe Police early Saturday, with the aid of their dog, Trooper and Officer Willis
Watson, caught a burglar suspect at the scene of the incident. Police received a call stating a
grocery had been burglarized on Louberta Street. Officer Watson took Trooper inside the store
and in a little room adjoining the store, the dog detected the scent of a person between the
mattress and springs of the bed. A subject from Houston, Texas was found and arrested for
burglary. Officers said without Trooper they would have possibly missed the man.
July 29, 1965
When employees entered a furniture store at about 7:30 A.M. they found a middle-aged
woman sitting on a couch reading a novel. The woman had entered the store through the back
door during the night or early morning hours. The woman wanted to be first for the big sale the
store was going to have. The woman had pulled tags off merchandise and told the employees she
was ready to purchase those articles. When the employees refused to let her buy the items, she
threw the price tags into an employee’s face and left the store.
About 4:30 P.M. the woman returned to the store with her small dog. The woman sicked
her dog on a saleslady who ran the woman from the store. Later the woman's husband called the
store and apologized.
November 2, 1965
Four West Monroe men are being held in the Ouachita Parish Jail on aggravated burglary
and carrying concealed weapons charges as a result of an incident in the 900 block of Louise
Ann Avenue.
Chief James C. Kelly said the men broke into the home and got into a fight with the
people living at the residence and then left the scene. An officer on patrol near the residence saw
a vehicle driving 85 miles an hour down a city street. The vehicle ran into a ditch where the four
men were arrested. There was a large supply of weapons in the vehicle.
November 4, 1965
While Officer Arnold Moore was on patrol he observed a man remove a rifle from the
trash bin at the rear of Barker's Store on Louisville Avenue and leave the area on a motor
scooter. The subject was stopped and was later booked for felony theft. The subject was a parttime employee of Barker's and had taken a 30-30 Marlin rifle out in the trash to be picked up
later.
April 29, 1966
A three year old child ran out into the path of a vehicle traveling on Pine Street and was
hit. An ambulance picked the child up and started to the hospital; however, enroute the
ambulance was involved in an accident. When the ambulance reached Catalpa and Harrison
Streets it hit a Monroe Police motorcycle being driven by Officer Lloyd L. Parker. Officer Parker
was on his way to work the first accident when the ambulance ran the red light and hit the
motorcycle. Officer Parker was admitted to St. Francis Hospital with undetermined injuries.
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Officer Parker was reportedly thrown over 40 feet from the impact of the collision. The child
was killed in the first accident.
August 3, 1966
The Monroe City Council approved for the Monroe Police Department an incentive pay
program. The program was established to raise the education level of the officers of the Monroe
Police Department.
All officers serving on active duty, as regular, full time employees, are eligible to
participate in this program. Officers participating in this program and earning one year of college
credits (32 semester hours) are paid $50.00 per month above their basic salary; two years of
college credits (64 semester hours) are paid $75.00 per month; three years of college credits (96
semester hours) are paid $100.00 per month; and officers obtaining a bachelor's degree are paid
$150.00 per month above his base salary. An officer with a master's degree will be paid $200.00
per month above his base salary.
October 15, 1966
Monroe Police officials moved from the tattered old police building on St. John and
Grammont Streets to an ultra modern police department building located on Wood Street in the
City Plaza Government Center.
November 4, 1966
The Monroe Police Department is seeking the whereabouts of a 1966 white Chevrolet
and the person who took it. It was a police detective unit. Investigation found that Detective
James L. Standard parked the unit at Red Top Cab, 1614 DeSiard Street, to help a uniform
officer drive a vehicle to police Headquarters after the officer had made an arrest of the driver.
After arriving at police headquarters Detective Standard did some paperwork until time to get off
duty. The next day he arrived to get his vehicle for a trip out of town. Finding the vehicle
missing, he reported it stolen and took another vehicle for his trip. One week later the owner of
Red Top Cab called Monroe Police and asked what they were going to do about the detective
vehicle on their lot. It was picked up and returned to police headquarters.
March 27, 1968
Twenty-six rifles and shotguns were seized from an Irving, Texas home by police officers
from Monroe and Dallas who searched the home. The guns were found taken in a Monroe
sporting goods burglary. Two subjects were arrested for burglary.
(Date Unknown) Last night a subject entered Monroe Police headquarters' front desk and
advised Officer I. C. Smith someone was trying to kill him. While Officer Smith was talking to
this subject, another subject entered and disarmed Officer Smith. Mrs. Hazel Ray, night shift
radio operator, crawled under a desk with the police radio microphone and advised all officers
someone had taken Officer Smith's gun and was holding him hostage. Mrs. Ray calmly gave all
officers a description of the subject and just where he was located. With this information officers
were able to subdue the subject. The subject was booked for aggravated assault, resisting arrest,
profane language and drawing and displaying.
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March 4, 1969
Officer Marvin Johnston entered the Dynasty Lounge, 406 Louisville Avenue, looking
for a subject who had just robbed Pope's Key and Lock Shop, 703 North Third Street. A man
sitting in a dark corner pulled a gun on Officer Johnston and took his weapon. The owner of the
lounge called Monroe Police and advised them of the situation. Officers were dispatched to the
lounge and surrounded the area. After twenty minutes Officer Johnston talked the subject into
giving up. The subject was booked for armed robbery.
1969 (Date unknown) West Monroe Police received a call from a person who advised
Lee's Jewelers' front glass had just been broken out. Officers arrived and observed a white
vehicle leave the scene at a high rate of speed. The vehicle sped across the DeSiard Street
Bridge. Monroe police officers were called in to help West Monroe after one of their vehicles
wrecked on South Grand Street. The suspects led police on a wild high speed chase in the south
side of Monroe. After minutes of the chase, the suspects wrecked their vehicle at the intersection
of Jackson and Apple Streets. Three subjects were arrested for simple burglary.
May 8, 1969
A 59 year old Negro escapee from Angola State Prison was apprehended by Monroe
Police at 3:45 A.M. today in the 2400 block of Renwick Street. Officer Limon Simon saw the
subject attempting to buy gas for his vehicle and he decided to check the vehicle and its driver.
Officer Simon called for assistance and Officer Arnold Moore arrived to assist. The subject was
found to be the escapee and he was placed under arrest.
March 8, 1970
Monroe Policemen were working forty hours, five day a week for the first time this week
instead of forty-eight hours, six days a week, Police Chief James C. Kelly, Jr. said Thursday.
Kelly said the work week was reduced, effective Monday, so that the department could compete
with the area business and industry in recruitment of new personnel and to boost the department's
morale.
April 4, 1970
A Monroe police officer, Arnold Moore, has written an article which appeared in the
March issue of "Law and Order" magazine, a professional publication for law enforcement
officers.
Moore's article, entitled "The Police and Family Disturbance Calls." is written as a guide for the
patrolman who will have to make such an investigation. He received a certificate of merit from
the Monroe Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board. The certificate was presented for
concern and initiative in new and improved techniques for answering family disturbance calls.
December 1, 1970
Easter Seal Society President E. A. Porter, Jr. presented a plaque to Officer Lloyd L.
Parker, Secretary of Monroe Police Local 775, Friday for work that the union did for collecting
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funds for the Easter Seal group. Other members of the union present were Charles Farrien, B. F.
Beckham, Ronald Kinard and W. G. Smith.
December 25, 1970
"...you've come a long way lady..." is the song co-workers sang to Mrs. Catheleen Bryan
as she turned in her police uniforms.
After twenty years with the Monroe Police Department, Mrs. Bryan, radio operator for
the morning shift, is the first woman in the history of the department to retire.
Married, and the mother of three children, Mrs. Bryan is the wife of Captain J. C. Bryan
who retired from the police department November 1, 1966. Mrs. Bryan was employed with the
department along with Mrs. Eloise Haywood and Mrs. Jerry McBride on December 26, 1950, as
radio operators.
"When we first came to work here, neither the officers nor the public accepted us," she
said. "It was kind of rough at first, but after a short time the policemen finally found out that
women officers were needed."
July 11, 1971
Benoit Recreation Center was the scene of a "grudge" match softball game Sunday
between the "bluecoats" and the Monroe Detective Department. The patrolmen defeated the
plainclothesmen by a margin of 14 to 11 in spite of Detective Arnold "Slick" Moore's
appointment as base umpire. Pitcher James Weems hurled to catcher Don Kemp for the victors,
while the losing battery consisted of catcher Joe "Dumplings" Cummings, who hit the game's
lone home run.
July 14, 1971
A Monroe police officer fired by Police Chief James C. Kelly for refusing to shave his
moustache while other officers were wearing them was ordered reinstated Wednesday night by
the City Fire and Police Civil Service Board. After five hours of hearing testimony and
discussing the issue, the board ruled that the police department officials fired Officer Lloyd C.
Parker on June 3 "in a discriminatory manner."
June 18, 1971
The Detective Division of the Monroe Police Department, seeking revenge for a sound
defeat in softball the week before, was battered into an even sounder defeat at Benoit Recreation
Center Sunday by the Patrol Division.
There was some debate about the score among the "bluecoats," and the detectives refused to
discuss the matter, but the detectives threw in the towel after the fourth inning. The patrolmen
claimed that the pitching of Harry "Paddlefoot" Petty proved to be no challenge at all, while
James Weems "burned them in" for the victors.
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April 27, 1972
Monroe Police female employees were issued new uniforms. These uniforms were navy
knit and two piece. A round Monroe Police Department patch was also found on the front of the
ladies' uniforms. Ladies wearing the new uniforms were: Hazel Ray, Jane Broadway, Margaret
Woodruff, Mat Brasher, Edna Beeton and Barbara Kemp.
1972 (Date unknown)
Chief James C. Kelly spoke to Monroe Police wives on obligations and duties of the
police Thursday night at the Monroe Government Center. Members attending were: Mrs. James
Kelly, Mrs. Don Kemp, Mrs. Limon Simon, Mrs. Don Hill, Mrs. Willis Watson, Mrs. Noble
Hatch, Mrs. Raymond Clary, Mrs. John Roberts, Mrs. S. M. Jones, Mrs. Larry Ellerman, Mrs.
Arnold L. Moore, Mrs. Charles Huggins, Mrs. R. H. Crocker, Mrs. Willis Warner, Mrs. Jerry
Roden, Mrs. Charles Stanley, Mrs. Ansley Reed, Mrs. J. L. Bowman, Mrs. R. L. Jackson, Mrs.
Warren Brown and Mrs. Sidney Sims.
January 29, 1972
Major Floyd T. Van, retiring Major-Supervisor of the Monroe Detective Division, was
presented a gift at a reception in his honor at the Monroe Police Department today. Chief James
C. Kelly, Jr. made the presentation on behalf of the department.
April 1, 1972
Five members of the Monroe Police Department were promoted. They are Ansley Reed
to captain, James Standard to major, Gerald Cowart to major, Elmer London to sergeant, Billy
Copeland to sergeant.
June 27, 1972
Monroe Police Chief James C. Kelly, Jr. today submitted a letter to the city council
requesting his retirement after nearly twenty-five years. He requested he be relieved of his duties
as of June 28, 1972 and he would retire on July 25, 1972. Mayor W. L. Howard met Chief Kelly
and told him that the chief's appointment in 1956 was the best and wisest appointment he had
ever made.
October 4, 1972
Charles B. Gaushell, 34, a Monroe native, now a Lieutenant with the Monterey Park,
California Police Department will become Monroe's new police chief on October 16, 1972.
Mayor Ralph Troy announced the appointment at a Civil Service Board meeting Tuesday
afternoon.
December 1, 1972
After a three month investigation the recovery of approximately $1,000.00 worth of
outdoor statues were recovered by Detective Arnold L. Moore and West Monroe Detective
Tommy Stroud. Monroe Detectives Elmer London and Joe Cummings recovered approximately
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$6,000.00 worth of guns, saws, radios and pistols taken from Monroe Hardware on November
20, 1972.
December 4, 1972
Monroe Police Officer Hoyt I. Erwin received a plaque in recognition of his selection as
"Policeman of the Month" by Pacemaker Kiwanis Club of Monroe Monday. Presenting the
award were Dr. Preston M. Juvenal and Jim Fletcher.
December 12, 1972
Police arrested a 14 year old juvenile in connection with a purse snatching incident that
occurred around 6:45 P.M. in the 300 block of North Second Street. Mrs. Margaret Woodruff, a
secretary with the Monroe Police Detective Division, said she was sitting in her car when a
Negro youth opened the door, dragged her out onto the pavement and took her purse. Police said
James Renfro, an employee with Riley Buick, witnessed the incident and gave chase. With
Renfro's help the youth was later apprehended.
December 18, 1972
Monroe Police Chief Charles Gaushell said Wednesday one Monroe Police Detective has
been fired and another suspended for thirty days for "using excessive force." W. G. Smith, a
veteran of almost six years, was fired and Willis Warner suspended for thirty days. The chief
said a citizen had made a complaint against the two officers and an administrative investigation
followed. January 17, 1973, the Monroe Civil Service Board voted to modify the dismissal of
Detective W. G. Smith and recommended he be placed on a ninety day suspension.
December 19, 1972
Monroe Police Chief Charles Gaushell announced Thursday that the arrest of a Monroe
youth Tuesday has resulted in the suspect being charged in connection with two aggravated rapes
which occurred on the east end of Monroe. Chief Gaushell said the suspect was arrested around
3:30 P.M. Tuesday after an unauthorized entry into a residence on Oaklawn Street. Detectives 0.
B. McCaa and Arnold Moore responded to the call and a routine search of the area found the
suspect. A search or the suspect revealed evidence of a burglary on Crescent Drive. The evidence
found on the suspect was later identified by Major Jim Standard as coming from his residence.
Chief Gaushell said the suspect has been charged with one count of burglary and two counts of
aggravated rape.
December 19, 1972
Major James Standard, the Detective Division's Commander, will retire on January 1,
1973, Chief Gaushell announced. Major Standard has been with the department for twenty-three
years. On January 1, 1973, the Civil Service Board awarded a certificate to Major Standard for
his service.
February 16, 1973
Miss Charlotte Sue Crawley was sworn in as the first policewoman in North Louisiana by
Judge Elvis C. Stout, Chief Charles Gaushell announced today.
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May 17, 1973
Monroe Police Officer Charles Myers arrested two Jackson, Mississippi women for
felony theft after they were found shoplifting from several stores. Officer Myers recovered
between $1,100.00 to $1,200.00 in merchandise.
May 21, 1973
The resignation of I. C. Smith of the Monroe Detective Division was announced by Chief
Charles Gaushell today.
Smith was employed by the Monroe Police Department on October 1, 1967. In June of
1970, he was assigned to the Detective Division where he established the Intelligence Section.
Chief Charles Gaushell said Monroe Police is losing an outstanding police officer, however, he is
not leaving law enforcement; he will join the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
June 1, 1973
Monroe Police Chief Charles Gaushell announced the promotion of fourteen police
officers effective today. The promotions are due to the new rank of lieutenant being opened. The
officers being promoted are: C. D. Dulaney to captain in charge of training; Billy Copeland to
lieutenant in charge of the Detective Division; E. W. Smith, Jerry Roden, C. E. Sowell and Leo
Earl are all promoted to lieutenant and assigned to the Patrol Division.
The following officers are promoted to sergeant and are assigned to the Patrol Division:
Willis Warner, Don Hill, Kenneth Day, Arnold Moore, B. R. Greer, Billy Jones, G. L. Earl and
Willis Watson.
June 5, 1973
The L. B. Faulk Post No. 13, American Legion, presented Law and Order Awards to
Willis Watson of the Monroe Police Department.
June 30, 1973
Monroe Police Union Local 648's new officers are: Ray Clary, President; Arnold Moore,
Vice-President; Bobby Mann, Secretary; Willie Buffington, Treasurer; and Billy W. Clark,
Sergeant at Arms.
July 7, 1973
Armed Monroe Policemen and Ouachita Parish Sheriff Deputies evacuated an apartment
house Saturday night and used tear gas and a police dog to recapture a convicted armed robber
who had escaped from Angola State Prison. The apartment house had been evacuated and tear
gassed before officers entered and began a search of the building. The subject was found hiding
in a closet of a second floor apartment at 509 Oak Street. The subject will be returned to Angola.
July 18, 1973
Detective Charles Myers was presented the Policeman of the Month award of the
Pacemaker City Kiwanis Club at its regular meeting.
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September 16, 1973
Chief Charles Gaushell announced the promotions of the following officers: Leo Earl to
captain; David Antley to lieutenant; Elmer London to lieutenant; Harry Petty and Charles Myers
to sergeant.
October 17, 1973
Monroe Police officers saved a Mobile, Alabama man from committing a more serious
crime and also rescued him at the same time. While on routine patrol, officers observed the
subject hanging in the window of Ms Girls Clothing, 111 North Second Street. Upon further
investigation, police discovered the subject was stuck between the burglar bars in the window
and in fact he had been in that position for an hour and a half. He was released from the bars and
taken to headquarters and booked for attempted burglary. His dress was "very informal" - none.
November 17, 1973
Monroe Policeman John Fleming and Detective Don Kemp recovered merchandise taken
from businesses during a shoplifting spree Friday. Five Minden residents have been booked for
attempted murder and felony theft in connection with the incident. The subjects pulled a gun and
fired at store employees who had chased the subjects.
January 23, 1974
The demonstration of an extricator kit was conducted today at Ritter's Wrecking Yard.
Monroe Police Officer Willie Buffington demonstrated the extricator during the session which
began at 8:00 A.M. Monroe police officers attending the training were Stanley Jones, Pete
Taylor, Hank Miller, James Weems, Bill Parker and Danny Miller.
February 2, 1974
The Monroe Police Department was officially presented Tuesday with a new birch and
glass case which is seven feet high and eleven feet long. The cost of the trophy case project was
underwritten by Policeman's Local Union 648, which enlisted the services of the Northeast
Louisiana Carpenters Joint Apprenticeship Committee.
March 19, 1974
For the first time in twenty-five years, the Monroe Police Department took first place
honors in the quick draw division at the Municipal Peace Officers Association pistol shoot held
recently in Lake Charles.
The five man team is composed of Charles Huggins, Lieutenant Jerry Roden, Lloyd
Parker, Ray Clary and Wayne Clark. Lieutenant Roden and Officer Clark placed first and second
respectively in Expert Class with Roden also placing third in Overall Shooting Division. Officer
Parker placed fourth in Master's Division and Officers Clary and Huggins placed fourth and fifth
in Tyro Division.
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March 20, 1974
During the Wednesday session of Monroe City Court about 100 people were in the
packed courtroom and were surprised by a nude man who ran from the rear of the courtroom and
out the door. The subject was a prisoner and was in a holding cell waiting for court. When a
jailer opened his cell the man was already in the nude and he then ran by the jailer into the
courtroom. City Attorney Larry Lolley gave chase and had to run four blocks before he caught
the subject.
April 9, 1974
The center section of the DeSiard Street Bridge and a Monroe patrol car fell into the
Ouachita River Monday night after a bridge piling was struck by a northbound barge.
Sergeant W. E. Jones and Patrolman Robert Fowler had parked their car on the bridge
and climbed to the control tower to open the bridge. Officials said the patrol car would probably
have to be pulled out of the river from a barge. No one was injured.
May 17, 1974
Monroe became the first city in the state to sign a contract with and recognize a local
police union as the sole bargaining agent for a local police department Friday, according to Ray
Clary, President of Monroe Police Local 648. Most of the contract was to ensure for the future
benefits presently given to Monroe Policemen, while officers also were given approval for longer
vacations, larger uniform allowance, more holidays and pay for time spent in court on behalf of
the city.
A forty hour work week was also included even though Monroe officers are currently
working four days a week, ten hours a day for a total of forty hours now. The reason for this
being included was because under state law the department could legally go to a forty-eight hour
work week, according to Clary.
May 24, 1974
Captain L. W. Kemp, a veteran of more than twenty years with the Monroe Police
Department, retired this morning. Kemp was the night shift supervisor for several years and said
Saturday night he planned to "take it easy" for a while and drive a school bus, which he has done
for years.
June 14, 1974
Three Monroe police officers received retirement gifts from Assistant Chief of Police R.
L. Johnson during a retirement party in their honor Friday at the Monroe Police Department. The
retiring officers are Sergeant David Antley, Captain M. L. Spangler and Captain L. W. Kemp.
1974 (Date unknown)
"It was frightening - the place was almost deserted, then out of the blue, police were
everywhere," said a witness to police foiling a Wednesday morning attempt to hold up an
armored truck in downtown Monroe.
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Working on a tip to local police two weeks ago and a follow-up investigation, thirty-two
FBI agents and Monroe police officers thwarted the robbery attempt on a Wells Fargo truck
picking up cash from Central Bank on DeSiard Street without firing a shot.
Four suspects were apprehended in the robbery attempt and later booked for conspiracy
to commit armed robbery, conspiracy to commit murder, attempted armed robbery and
conspiracy to commit arson.
April 7, 1974
Monroe Police Officer John Oxley was named the Pacemaker City Kiwanis Club Officer
of the Month for the month of April. A six year veteran, Oxley was selected on the basis of his
service to the community and the department with departmental officials citing an incident
recently where he rescued a local citizen from a residential fire.
October 2, 1974
Vicki Fleming is the first policewoman at the Monroe Police Department to be assigned
to the regular patrol on the same basis as men. As a patrol officer, she has assumed the duties of
driving a squad car, responding to radio calls and investigating crimes.
Chief Charles Gaushell said, "No preferential treatment will be given to Patrolwoman
Fleming, She will be assigned to the same type of complaints other officers are expected to
answer."
October 17, 1974
Detectives O. B. McCaa and Charles VanLopik recovered approximately $450.00 worth
of grocery items taken Wednesday from a local food store. A 16 year old juvenile was charged
with theft and issuing worthless checks totaling $1,600.00 following the recovery of the items.
December 7, 1974
Boys will be boys, and even though they are grown and are officers of the law, the boy
comes out in all of us at some times. While Lieutenant Willis Warner and Sergeant Willis
Watson were working the recent Christmas parade, they were seen begging Santa Claus for some
candy when he came by their street intersection.
January 13, 1975
A Monroe police officer was hospitalized Sunday for injuries tie sustained when the
police unit he was driving struck a ramp nose on U.S. 165 at Interstate 20, department officials
reported.
Officer Bobby Buce, 27, was rushed to St. Francis Hospital with several Lacerations and
was being held for observation. According to reports, the officer was traveling south on U.S. 165
and apparently lost control of the vehicle as he approached the entrance ramp to 1-20, striking
the ramp nose.
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January 16, 1975
Chief Charles Gaushell said Monroe Police Department's first airplane should be
delivered to Monroe within the next sixty days. The airplane is a Maule M-5 Lunar Rocket and
was purchased Tuesday by the city to be used to combat crime by aerial patrol. W. G. Smith,
police patrolman, will be the chief pilot, Gaushell said.
January 21, 1975
Monroe Police patrol cars were undergoing modification today, Chief Charles Gaushell
said. Front push bumpers were installed and bright orange numerals were painted on the top of
the cars which can be seen from aerial surveillance to assist in patrol.
March 10, 1975
Sergeant Harry Petty had to treat a horse Saturday night after the animal was hit by a car.
The department said the owner had not been located Sunday.
April 25, 1975
Monroe Police Sergeant Harry Petty presented awards to two Monroe Auxiliary Police
Officers who announced their retirement from the force this week. Recipients of the retirement
plaques are J. B. Sullivan and Roy T. Gray, Jr. The auxiliary unit serves as a backup to Monroe
Police in emergencies, routine and traffic patrol, investigations and disastrous situations. They
are not paid a salary for their time.
April 29, 1975
Three Monroe Police officers received tops during the 41st session of the LSU Basic Law
Enforcement Training Academy. Robert Holmes, III, was first, Tom Medley was third and David
Naquin was fourth.
May 24, 1975
Training Officers Willie Buffington and Don Corbin finished final training on five new
Monroe police officers. They were: Bobby Smith, Don Bartley, Karen Eversull, Robby Duffy
and Jim May. The new officers received training on all procedures of law enforcement work.
They will now be assigned to the Patrol Division for further training.
June 13, 1975
The Monroe Quick Draw Team won second place in Louisiana Peace Officers
Association Pistol Shoot held in Baton Rouge earlier this week. The members were, Sergeant
Wayne Clark, B. J. Mann, Ray Clary, Charles Huggins and Tom Jones. Officer Huggins also
placed third in the Expert Pistol match.
July 11, 1975
A 17 year old Louisiana Training Institute resident, considered "dangerous to women,"
sparked a three and one half hour manhunt Friday morning on Monroe's north side when he
escaped from the Parish Coroner's Office. The youth was apprehended by Monroe Auxiliary
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Officers who had joined with about 20 on duty, off duty and some West Monroe Officers in the
400 block of McKinley Street about 12:30 P.M. The youth was charged by officers for simple
escape and criminal trespassing. "Air One", Monroe Police Department's single engine aircraft,
aided the officers who were searching for the youth.
July 26, 1975
The Monroe Police Department introduced Thursday its newest addition, the Mounted
Patrol Division which will begin patrolling the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo and
Forsythe Park Sunday.
Heading the division will be Sergeant Willis Watson who said the park patrols will be
from 11:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. each Saturday and Sunday. Patrolmen Charles Ferguson and
Graham Gardner are the division's two members. They will patrol one of each of the parks to
help acquaint the public with the department and in aiding citizens in distress.
July 26, 1975
Work on Monroe Police's new communications center got under way this week with the
renovation of a portion of the police building. The Juvenile Detention Cells were being torn out
to make way for the new room.
The City of Monroe had purchased a communications system from Motorola earlier this
year, however, before it could be installed, an area of the department had to be remodeled.
Lieutenant Willis Warner was assigned as Communications Supervisor.
August 17, 1975
A Monroe Police officer was listed in satisfactory condition this morning at St. Francis
Hospital after he sustained gunshot wounds while investigating a robbery at a local store. Police
said three adults and one juvenile were arrested for attempted murder and armed robbery in
connection with the incident.
According to authorities, Officer Larry Martin received wounds to his left arm and leg.
Police said a suspect in the incident was also taken to the hospital where he was treated for
wounds to his hand and released.
Police said Officer Martin and another officer in a backup unit were dispatched to the
Stop and Go on Winnsboro Road about 3:15 A.M. to investigate a burglary call. Officer Martin
arrived first and went inside and placed a juvenile and a suspect under arrest. While Martin was
placing handcuffs on the two suspects inside, the store manager warned that another suspect was
in the storeroom holding a shotgun on them. At this time Officer Martin was felled by gunshots
but managed to return fire and wound his assailant in the hand, thus disarming him. The backup
officer arrived and placed a suspect under arrest who was driving the getaway car. The subject
who had shot Officer Martin was found guilty and sentenced to 35 years without probation or
parole.
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September 12, 1975
A 31 year old man from Los Angeles was arrested by Monroe Police for armed robbery
of the downtown branch of Central Bank. Police said at the time of his arrest he was wearing a
woman's white bonnet, light pink flare-leg slacks, a pullover shirt, sunglasses and was carrying a
woman's purse.
Authorities said that at 12:33 P.M. Friday, a black male wearing a burgundy shirt and
checkered pants entered the Central Bank, 300 DeSiard Street, handed a teller a note which
stated that he had a gun in his pocket and would use it if she did not hand over all the money she
had. Police said the suspect never displayed a gun, but fled with $9,420.00 in different
denominations.
Captain Billy Copeland, Chief of Detectives, said all police units were advised to be on
the lookout for the black male that had just robbed the bank. Officer Charles Huggins was near
the area and started searching near the Five Points area. He spotted what appeared to be a young
black female walking east on DeSiard near Sixth Street. The female was too muscular and
walked a little peculiar for a woman so Officer Huggins stopped and checked the subject and
found it was the subject wanted for armed robbery. He was not armed and offered nc resistance
when Officer Huggins placed him under arrest. All the money taken in the robbery was
recovered.
September 19, 1975
The new Motorola communications equipment was being installed this week at the
Monroe Police Department. The equipment will include new radios to carry two voice channels
and a teleprinter channel. This will allow the radio operator to send out a paper read-out message
to police cars. The new unit will also include a cross patch system so all local agencies can be on
the same channel.
November 22, 1975
Officer Charles Huggins observed a vehicle taking off at a high rate of speed, tires
squealing, from a stop sign in the 2400 block of Georgia Street. Officer Huggins turned on his
emergency lights and tried to stop the vehicle, however, the driver, a female, refused to stop and
a high speed chase began. The driver of the vehicle hit a truck but backed up and went around
the accident. The vehicle began traveling at speeds of 100 miles per hour and ran numerous stop
signs.
Officers J. E. Roberts, Don Kemp, Pat Stewart, Marvin Dearman and Sergeant O. B.
McCaa became involved in the chase as it wound across the city. Two police cars driven by
Marvin Dearman and Sergeant McCaa had a minor accident while attempting to block the car's
path.
Officers got the vehicle to stop but as officers approached the vehicle it appeared the
driver was again going to drive off, so Officer Don Kemp fired two shots at the back tire. Officer
Huggins said the female did not submit readily to arrest. She locked her vehicle doors and sat in
the middle of the vehicle. At this time officers broke out a door window and unlocked the door
and were able to arrest the female.
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She was booked with hit and run, five counts of running stop signs, ten counts of running
stop lights, two counts of negligent injury, resisting arrest and driving without a driver's license.
Her bond was set at $5,418.00.
November 24, 1975
Monroe Police booked a city jail inmate for aggravated battery, aggravated assault and
attempted aggravated escape after he attacked one of the jailers with a knife and tried to escape
from the city jail. John Aaron, the jailer, was taken to St. Francis Hospital where he was treated
and released.
November 27, 1975
An explosive device that was located from instructions given by a caller to a local
television announcer was partially detonated late Wednesday night by a demolition team of
Monroe City Police and Army specialists. The device was found in a trash can by police at
Burger King Restaurant on 165 Bypass after a telephone caller demanded $150,000.00 from the
City of Monroe.
November 30, 1975
A 32 year old man described by police as being in a highly emotional state was arrested
Saturday on federal charges of attempted extortion by use of explosive devices, four days after
$150,000.00 was demanded from the City of Monroe.
December 2, 1975
The Pacemaker City Kiwanis Club named Lieutenant Arnold Moore of the Monroe
Police Department as officer of the month. Moore has been an associate with the Monroe Police
Department since 1961 and was selected by the club as a "dedicated and professional officer."
March 31, 1976
Monroe Police Chief Charles Gaushell commended Officer Charles Ferguson for his
efforts in saving the life of a 27 year old Monroe woman.
Upon answering a call at 2:30 P.M. Sunday at Woodlawn Manor Apartments, Officer
Ferguson found a young woman lying on the floor, apparently not breathing. Officer Ferguson
administered mouth to mouth resuscitation and the victim began breathing. She was taken to St.
Francis Hospital where she is listed in satisfactory condition.
April 7, 1976
The Blue Knights Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club Chapter I held its first meeting
Tuesday night at Benoit Recreation Center in Monroe. Officer S. B. Sims of the Monroe Police
Department was elected president of the club.
The area chapter is the first of its kind in the state. Blue Knights, Inc. is an international
organization with more than forty chapters in thirty states.
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Monroe Police members of the club are: S. B. Sims, Billy Clark, Jay Trichel, Graham
Gardner, Troy Guillory, Jerry Harper, Tom Boyte, Charles Huggins, John Pipes, Frank Bougere
and Don Kemp.
May 14, 1976
A new rescue unit containing equipment that will be used to extract persons who become
physically trapped in an accident will soon be on the scene for emergency situations.
Lieutenant Harry Petty, Monroe Police Department's Special Operations Commander,
said this is perhaps the most important piece of equipment owned by the department because of
its potential to save lives. The CMC van was purchased through a grant from the Louisiana
Highway Safety Commission.
May 29, 1976
Major C. E. Sowell and Captain Leo Earl retired Friday after twenty years service with
the Monroe Police Department. Major Sowell served as Commander of the Patrol and Traffic
Division and Captain Earl was supervisor of the morning shift. Major E. W. Smith will take over
Major Sowell's position and Lieutenant G. L. Earl will take over the morning shift.
July 6, 1976
Monroe Chief of Police Charles Gaushell resigned Tuesday afternoon and Mayor W. L.
Howard named Assistant Chief R. L. Johnson Acting Chief of Police. The resignation became
effective "at the end of my tour of duty Tuesday," Gaushell said.
July 12, 1976
Monroe Mayor W. L. Howard said today that he has grounded Air One, the Monroe
Police Department's airplane, until such time as a review of the city's financial situation is
completed.
July 20, 1976
Troy Guillory, pilot for the Monroe Police Department's Air One submitted his
resignation Monday, effective July 31. Officer Guillory, who has been with the department for
fourteen months, and the pilot for the same length of time, submitted his resignation to Acting
Chief of Police R. L. Johnson.
August 27, 1976
Acting Monroe Police Chief R. L. Johnson announced today that Lieutenant Charles
Myers has been accepted by the Louisiana State University to attend the 27th session of the LSU
Enforcement Institute.
The officers attending the institute attend classes for eight hours per day, five days a
week for a period of twelve weeks.
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August 30, 1976
A Monroe Police Officer received several cuts and scratches on his face, neck and arms
Wednesday morning when a prisoner being transferred to Conway Hospital attacked him.
Officer John Roberts was taken to St. Francis Hospital emergency room for treatment following
the 9:30 A.M. incident in the city jail.
September 14, 1976
The $274,608.00 Monroe Police Department Communications Center will be temporarily
mothballed beginning Monday and the department will return to a two channel base station
operation as in the past years.
A recommendation was made last month to temporarily bypass the ten month old
communications center by members of Mayor W. L. Howard's Committee on Law Enforcement.
It was the first of 34 recommendations designed to improve operating procedures within the
police department.
September 20, 1976
Five Monroe Patrolmen became the latest victims of the city's financial squeeze Monday
when they were laid off by Acting Police Chief R. L. Johnson. Acting on orders from Mayor W.
L. Howard to cut back somewhere in the police department, Chief Johnson notified the five men
of their termination about 5:00 P.M.
According to Chief Johnson, the patrolmen were the latest ones to be hired by the
department. All had been with the department for less than a year. They are Jacob Adams, John
Babb, Richard Fisher, Tommy Head and Gene Hawk.
October 1, 1976
Mayor W. L. Howard announced the appointment of Willie Buffington as Monroe's new
Chief of Police. The announcement was made today at a special City Council meeting.
Chief Buffington, a seven year veteran of the Monroe Police Department, was among
eight men who were considered for the post.
First on Chief Buffington's Monday morning agenda, he said, will be to "get an overall
view from the police chief's standpoint." He added, "I am looking forward to a bright future both
for the police department and the City of Monroe."
October 22, 1976
Major C. D. Dulaney was presented a plaque Friday at a retirement party in his honor
from Monroe Police Chief Willie Buffington for twenty years of service.
He was promoted to sergeant in 1964, then to lieutenant and captain in 1973 and to the
rank of major in 1974. He was instrumental in organizing the first Training Division in the
department.
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October 26, 1976
Officer Joe Stewart received the Monroe Distinguished Service Award in connection
with an incident that occurred during the recent Ark-La-Miss Fair at the Monroe Civic Center.
Mayor W. L. Howard credited Officer Stewart with saving the life of a 16 year old girl. He
explained that Stewart was summoned to call an ambulance to the fair. He found the female
passed out in one of the trailers, not breathing, and gave her mouth to mouth resuscitation which
saved her life.
November 9, 1976
Several changes have been made at the Monroe Police Department while other transitions
are being studied by various committees since the recent appointment of Monroe's new chief.
Chief Willie Buffington noted the major changes that have been implemented since his
appointment. These changes include returning to the two-channel base station operations;
preparations for a Standard Order of Procedures; reorganization of the department into three
major bureaus; establishment of a central complaint area; evaluation of equipment; study of
plans for a microfilm system; and a study of traffic activities.
December 14, 1976
Two Monroe police officers became the first municipal officers in the state to receive a
Master of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from within the state. Patrolmen John Sells and
Michael Wiggins were awarded their degrees during commencement exercises at Northeast
Louisiana University Saturday night.
1974.
Patrolman John Sells is 27 years old and has been a member of the department since May
Patrolman Michael Wiggins is 25 years old and has been a. member of the department
since January 1973,
January 7, 1977
Monroe Police Detective Danny Miller takes an inventory of hundreds of items recovered
from five burglaries over the past six days.
Captain Elmer London, Commander of the Monroe Police Department Detective
Division, stated between $2,000.00 and $3,000.00 worth of merchandise was recovered from
burglaries of north side residences. Two arrests were also made and officers hope to recover
more stolen goods valued at $10,000.00 to $15,000.00.
March 25, 1977
Monroe Police Officer Ray Clary was elected President of the Municipal Peace Officers
Association during the convention held Sunday.
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April 21, 1977
Two men waited inside a local coin shop until the operator arrived this morning to rob
her of an assortment of coins and collectors stamps valued between $25,000.00 and $30,000.00,
Monroe Police said.
The victim stated she was taken to a back room where she was tied up. The two suspects
left in the victim's vehicle which was found abandoned neat Tanglewood Subdivision. Detective
Warren Brown and Sergeant Kenneth Day were the first to arrive at the scene.
May 6, 1977
Approximately four rounds of tear gas were fired Friday night into the second floor of a
garage apartment on Lee Avenue. Police were called to the scene when witnesses said a man was
walking on his hands on top of cars, running in and out of his home and disrupting a children’s
birthday party in the neighborhood.
Major G. E. Cowart reported that when he attempted to place the subject under arrest for
disturbing the peace the subject picked up a mop, struck the ground, breaking it, and then tried to
spear him. Major Cowart then defended himself with a shove. At this point the subject dropped
the broken mop and ran back into his apartment where he proceeded to break windows and
damage other items in the apartment. After about one hour the subject walked down the stairs
from his apartment after Monroe Police fired tear gas into it.
May 31, 1977
A 27 year old Monroe police officer was listed in stable condition today at St. Francis
Hospital after he accidentally shot himself.
Police officials said Officer Isaac Robinson was conducting an investigation of a prowler
on Caddo Street when he thought he saw someone and, in drawing his service revolver, it
accidentally went off and struck him in the right leg hear the knee.
July l, 1977
Monroe Police Union Local 648 held an election and the following officers were elected
officers of the union: Sergeant Lloyd Parker-, President; Don Hyde, Vice-President; Don
Pickens, Secretary; Graham Gardner, Treasurer; and Bobby Mann, Sergeant at Arms.
July 14, 1977
A Monroe Policeman shot and wounded a 28 year old man early today after two officers
were lured into what police believed to be an ambush. At 2:07 A.M. today the department
received a call to investigate a prowler complaint in the 600 block of Adams Street. Officer Bob
Crocker and Sergeant B, F. Beckham answered the call. Officers talked to the complainant and
they saw a gun in his back pocket. The subject pulled the gun and started waving it around and
told the officers to drop their guns. Officers ordered the subject to drop his gun several times;
when he did not, he was shot. He was taken to St. Francis Hospital. (See Top Cops for further
information.)
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August 20, 1977
Nine women were arrested on a charge of prostitution when the Barren Hotel on DeSiard
Street was raided late Friday night, Monroe Police Chief Willie Buffington said. The arrests were
the results of a month long investigation by the department's Division of Special Investigation
and area law enforcement agencies.
Lieutenant Don Hill, head of the division, said undercover agents started making cases
about 9:00 P.M. Friday. He said the agents were approached by the women and later there was
an exchange of money.
October 14, 1977
Detective Jim Gregory made an inventory of several hundred dollars worth of plants and
statues recovered with the arrest of three Northeast Louisiana University students Thursday
afternoon. The thefts occurred over the past six weeks.
November 15, 1977
Major Elmer London and Officer Jim Gregory of the Monroe Police Department received
the two top awards Tuesday night at the department's first annual "Supervisor and Officer of the
Year" Awards Banquet in the Monroe Civic Center Conference Hall.
Major London, who was presented the Supervisor Award, was employed by the
department on July 1, 1958. He was assigned to the Investigation Division on August 1, 1968
and in October 1976 was promoted to Commander of the Department's Bureau of Investigation.
Officer Gregory, who was selected for the Officer Award, was employed by the
department on September 16, 1974 and on August 3, 1977 was transferred to the Investigation
Bureau.
Monroe Police Chief Buffington said the Supervisor Award will be presented annually
and named after Melvin E. Loper. The Officer Award will be presented annually and named after
T. O. "Toby" Bancroft.
December 14, 1977
Monroe Police reported that a Monroe Police Officer received minor injuries Wednesday
night when he was hit by a truck at the intersection of North Ninth and DeSiard Streets. Officer
Thomas O. Medley suffered a hairline fracture of the left fibula, police said. Medley was treated
and released from St. Francis Medical Center.
According to reports, Medley was investigating a theft and was walking north across
DeSiard Street when he stopped in the center of the street to flag three or four cars westbound.
January 1, 1978
Monroe Police Auxiliary Policemen who had been watching the civic center parking lot
for thieves were just about to go home for the night when they found a suspect had broken into
their stake-out vehicle.
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Lieutenant Harry Petty, a Monroe Policeman heading up the group, said twelve auxiliary
officers were assigned several places around the civic center parking lot watching for car thieves.
After several hours, Lieutenant Petty called off the stake-out and the men went inside for a
meeting. After the meeting they returned to their stake-out vehicle and found a subject breaking
into their vehicle. The subject was arrested and taken to the city jail. While being booked the
subject ran out of the jail door into the path of an off duty State Trooper. The subject was
returned to the jail and booked for theft, damage to property and simple escape.
February 3, 1978
A pair of Monroe Policemen tried in vain to save an eight month old Bastrop infant with
newly learned life saving methods shortly before dawn Friday.
A St. Francis Medical Center spokesman said the child died early Friday of a congenital
heart disorder. Officers Joe Stewart and Andrew Milstead reportedly administered
cardiopulmonary resuscitation to the child enroute to the hospital after they were flagged down
by the child's parents. A police spokesman said the life saving attempt was the first administered
by Monroe Police since the entire police force underwent extensive first aid training using the
CPR method.
February 10, 1978
Officer Joseph G. Poe of the Monroe Police Department has turned in his uniform for
"civilian clothes" and a new assignment. Monroe Police Chief Willie Buffington today
announced the appointment of Poe to the Juvenile Division. The fifteen year veteran law
enforcement officer joins Juvenile Officers Jack Norman and Karen Eversull. Detective Poe, the
first black juvenile officer, was transferred from the Patrol and Traffic Division where he had
served since he joined the department.
April 4, 1978
What was originally reported as vandalism at the Ouachita Parish Public Library on
North Eighteenth Street turned into "an unwelcomed guest" complaint, Monroe Police Officer
Marvin Dearman learned upon further investigation this morning.
When library employees opened the library they found it had been completely ransacked.
Books and papers were strewn all over the floor and several items were found broken. Officer
Dearman traced footprints that led to an opening in the ceiling where the culprit had entered. It
was found that it was a raccoon that had entered and done the damage.
May 6, 1978
For the last week Monroe Police Officer Charles Huggins has been riding around with a
tombstone in the back of his patrol car. Most everyone knows a policeman's job is dangerous, but
Huggins has been lugging this 230 pound grave marker around in hopes of finding the cemetery
in which it belongs. So far he has had no luck. Last week it was left on the back stairs at 210
Louise Ann. No suspects for the prank have been located.
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September 21, 1978
Lieutenant Billy W. Clark was recognized as the outstanding Supervisor of the Year and
Detective Don McClanahan as the outstanding Officer of the Year at the Monroe Police
Department's Annual Supervisor and Officer of the Year Banquet held Monday night.
Both men, nominated and elected by their fellow officers, were chosen for their
enthusiasm, dependability, honesty and sincerity, Police Chief Willie Buffington said.
Clark, a fourteen year veteran with the department, received the "Melvin Loper
Supervisor of the Year Award."
McClanahan, nine year veteran, received the "Toby Bancroft Officer of the Year Award."
The banquet was held in honor of the late Officer James J. Balsamo.
November 18, 1978
Police Union Representatives Friday angrily rejected Monroe City Officials' offer of a
$29.00 increase in monthly starting pay for patrolmen, jailers and radio operators. After a heated
debate, city officials said they will make another wage proposal Wednesday. "We'll look into the
total city salary picture again and see if we can come up with a new proposal with possibly more
funds," Mayor Derwood Cann said.
Lieutenant Lloyd Parker, the police union's president, said the union members met after
his meeting with Mayor Cann and they decided to begin informational picketing. Off duty
officers will picket in front of City Hall and the civic center starting at 7:00 A.M. Lieutenant
Parker said the purpose of the pickets are to inform the public of the policemen's plight. He said
the pickets will continue until Wednesday's meeting with the city. The union members will meet
following these negotiations.
December 1, 1978
Monroe City and Police Officials signed a new contract approved by the Police Union
Thursday afternoon. Beginning patrolmen's salary will rise from $587.00 to $700.00 a month.
Patrolmen with one year of experience will rise from $675.00 to $750.00 a month. Patrolmen
with two or more years of experience will rise from $730.00 to $831.00 a month.
Beginning jailers' salaries will rise from $519.00 to $631.00 and beginning radio
operators' salaries will rise from $522.00 to $635.00 a month.
December 27, 1978
A handcuffed prisoner struck a Monroe Police Officer Wednesday afternoon and fled in
the patrol car, leading officers from at least six agencies on a high-speed chase for about
seventeen miles. Police said a suspect was captured in connection with the incident about twenty
minutes later in a Collinston cotton field.
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The officer, Patrolman Hoyt Erwin, was treated at St. Francis Medical Center for minor
head injuries and released. He was cut above the right eye and struck on top of his head, police
said.
Monroe Police Chief Willie Buffington said the subject was wanted for theft of a
motorcycle. Officer Erwin had arrested the subject and he was being taken to the city jail. A
scuffle occurred in the front seat and the subject, who was still handcuffed, removed Officer
Erwin's gun from his holster and placed the weapon at the officer's head, Buffington said. The
subject told Officer Erwin’s to drive or he would be killed. Another scuffle then ensued and the
car stopped on a grassy median in front of the Monroe Civic Center.
Roy Hendrix, owner of Paramedic Ambulance, who was driving behind the patrol car,
noticed a disturbance and opened the patrol car door on the passenger side. Police said Hendrix
and Officer Erwin were hit on the head by the subject. Erwin either jumped or fell out of the car.
Hendrix was also treated at St. Francis Medical Center and released.
The subject was booked for attempted first-degree murder of a police officer, two counts
of auto theft, aggravated battery, aggravated escape and aggravated assault.
February 22, 1979
Friday is the last day Assistant Chief R. L. Johnson will sit behind his desk at the Monroe
Police Department. Chief Johnson will officially retire on April 1, 1979.
He started on the Monroe Police Department in 1951 as a night patrolman and worked in
that capacity for fifteen years. He became a sergeant in 1962, a captain in 1965, a major in 1968
and assistant chief in 1972.
April 1, 1979
Ten Monroe police officers were promoted Monday. They are: G. E. Cowart to assistant
chief, G. Leroy Earl to major, Don Hill to major, Stanley Jones to captain, Bernard Beckham to
lieutenant, Hoyt Erwin to sergeant, Raymond Clary to sergeant, Don M. McClanahan to
sergeant, Charles VanLopik to sergeant and Ron Kinard to sergeant.
April 16, 1979
Monroe Police's communication system, idle since September 1976, is back in service,
Monroe City Officials announced. Chief Buffington said he and Mayor Derwood Cann decided
that the system will be put into use at a cost of $2,500.00 to the city.
There are several system features, including patching-in capabilities that will allow
Monroe Police to communicate by radio with other agencies such as State Police or the Sheriff's
Department.
July 22, 1979
Monroe Police Department has a new patrol vehicle; it is a 5.2 M Terry boat with a 115
horsepower motor. It is equipped with everything a police car has; siren, radio and strobe light.
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Officers Bobby Smith and Ronnie Weaver are assigned to the Monroe Police Boat Patrol.
They will be working weekends and holidays for the rest of the summer.
July 29, 1979
Monroe Police's new procedure manual has now been issued to all officers. It contains
guidelines on accident investigations, arrest laws, search and seizure and juvenile laws.
Chief Willie Buffington said the manual was written about police work, for policemen,
by policemen. He said committees of Monroe police officers from patrolmen to major donated
their off duty time during a two year period to research and write the manual. The printing and
binding of the manual cost $1,600.00.
October 19, 1979
Two men armed with several golf clubs walked into a service station at about 2:45 A.M.
today wearing paper bags over their heads and dressed only in white undershorts. They were
apprehended less than thirty minutes after officers arrived at Simmons Exxon Service center, 21
Louisville Avenue, and broadcast a description of the suspects and the vehicle they took a few
blocks away.
Police Officers Mike Walker and Herbie H. Otwell were dispatched to the service station.
A passer-by had seen two men with paper bags over their heads leave the station on foot and
followed them. Officers Walker and Otwell received information from the passer-by and were
able to give other officers a description of the get-away car the two men used.
Officer Tommy Taylor attempted to stop a speeding car on Park Avenue which matched
the description of the car. Taylor forced the car to a stop on Good Shepherd Road and arrested
the two suspects for armed robbery and simple burglary after officers later found that Forsythe
Mini-Golf course had been broken into and several golf clubs had been taken. Police said the
attendant was struck several times about the neck, chest and back with the clubs.
November 5, 1979
In three rounds of secret balloting, Officers of the Monroe Police Department selected
Captain Charles R. Myers, with eighteen years on the force, as Supervisor of the Year and
Detective Warren Brown, with ten years of service, as Officer of the Year.
Captain Myers worked in the Patrol Division from December of 1961 to June 1973, when
he was assigned to the Detective Division. In April of 1978 he was promoted to captain and
reassigned to the Patrol Division.
Officer Warren Brown received the top score in the department's training school for new
recruits in 1969. In 1970 he received the top score, 96 percent, in the Basic Training Academy at
LSU. He is a graduate of many of the department's Training Division's in-service schools and is
working toward a bachelor's degree in social work.
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December 11, 1979
Officers arrested a Forest, Mississippi man on two counts of simple burglary. The man
was arrested inside the Flamingo Lounge, 901 North Fourth Street, by Captain A. L. Moore, after
being found inside the building. While making a routine building check Captain Moore found the
front door of the Flamingo had been pried open. After searching the building the suspect was
found under a table. Officers later found the rear door of the Pagoda Restaurant had also been
forced open.
January 3, 1980
Monroe Police said a Monroe man and a juvenile were in custody after a gun was pulled
on two officers who had stopped them for questioning late Thursday night.
The two officers, Captain Harry Petty and Lieutenant Butch Beckham, said they stopped
them for questioning after observing them walk from behind a house in a residential area near
Northeast Louisiana University. When they tried to question the two, the older suspect pulled a
gun and then ran. Lieutenant Beckham said he captured the juvenile, and two State Troopers who
responded arrested the older suspect. Police searching the area after the arrests found a .22
caliber pistol in a storm drain.
March 6, 1980
At least 48 protesters identified as Iranian students, were arrested Thursday night after
they demonstrated during a speech by a former official of the Shah of Iran at Brown Auditorium
on the Northeast Louisiana University campus.
Thirteen of the protesters, identified as Iranian students from universities in Louisiana,
Mississippi and Texas were charged with trespassing and jailed under a $500.00 bond. The
remainder, who refused to give officers their names, were charged with trespassing and resisting
arrest. Each was jailed under a $600.00 bond.
Monroe Police Captain A. L. Moore said arrested students were receiving legal counsel.
He said those who refused to give their names were booked as "John Doe."
April 13, 1980
Monroe Police said they are investigating today why a city policeman lost control of his
patrol car early Sunday and crashed into a storefront. Police said Shelby Nations was on patrol,
driving west on Louisville Avenue about 1:20 A.M. Sunday when he apparently lost control of
his car. The car hit the northwest corner of the Gold Bond Redemption Center, 900 Louisville
Avenue, then hit a pole in the business parking lot. Nations was not injured, police said, but his
patrol car was destroyed and the building heavily damaged.
April 16, 1980
Monroe Patrolman Shelby Nations, whose police car crashed into a Louisville Avenue
business during a heavy rain storm, has been suspended for fifteen days without pay.
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Chief Willie Buffington said an investigation into the accident showed that Officer
Nations was driving too fast for the weather and street conditions when his car crashed into the
building. Nations was not injured and no charges were filed.
June 11, 1980
Monroe Police Chief Willie Buffington said Wednesday that stopping fleeing
motorcycles by hitting them with police cars is definitely not standard Monroe Police
Department policy.
A motorcycle chase ended at Courtney Street and Fairview Avenue Tuesday when
Officer John Pipes’s police car bumped the rear wheel of the motorcycle, causing the fourteen
year old cyclist to wreck. Police charged the boy with several traffic violations after the chase
that covered several northern Monroe streets ended.
September 18, 1980
Sheriff T. W. Auger, former Monroe Police Detective, was killed in a plane crash
Wednesday. The plane apparently broke up in midair, plummeting to a farm field near Goodwill,
a federal investigator said Thursday. Sheriff Auger had been a member of the Monroe Police for
a number of years before being elected Sheriff of West Carroll Parish.
September 27, 1980
Monroe Police Department's fourth annual awards banquet was held. Supervisor of the
Year was Sergeant Don McClanahan and Officer of the Yea: was Rick Fisher. W. H. Anders,
Commander of the Auxiliary Force, was also honored for outstanding dedication.
February 27, 1981
An off duty Monroe Police Officer was seriously injured Wednesday night when the
motorcycle he was riding collided with a car on DeSiard Street near its intersection with
Sherrouse Street.
Officer Ron Schleuter, 26, was in fair condition Wednesday night in St. Francis Medical
Center. The driver of the car was arrested by Monroe Police and charged with failure to yield and
negligent injury.
March 4, 1981
Chief Willie Buffington has issued an order prohibiting members of his department from
working at bars during their off duty hours. "It was putting the police officer in a bad position,"
Buffington said. "He was assuming two roles - that of a police officer and of an employee of that
establishment."
March 4, 1981
Monroe Police Chief Willie Buffington has instructed police officers to cut back the
number of trips they make to headquarters during their shifts and to stop unnecessary engine
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idling in an effort to reduce the department's large consumption of gasoline. In February, the
police fleet used 7,724 gallons of gasoline.
March 11, 1981
A Monroe Police Officer shot a naked gunman who fired several shots at him and his
partner who had been dispatched to Parkview Apartments on Buckhorn Bend to investigate a
prowler complaint about 11:15 P.M. Friday, police said. Officers Ronnie Waiver and William
Heck answered a complaint, from a woman who stated she had been attacked. She directed them
to an apartment where they could see a naked man sitting on a bed. Officer Weaver knocked on
the door and he thought the man yelled for them to come in. He pushed open the door and the
man was pointing a gun at him. Officer Heck was standing by the apartment window and the
man fired at him and Officer Heck fired back, striking him in the shoulder. The man ran out the
back door and officers later caught him and arrested him for attempted murder. He was taken to
E. A. Conway Hospital where tie was treated. There were no injuries to any of the apartment
residents.
August 26, 1981
Six retiring Monroe Auxiliary Policemen were honored. The men, who together totaled
111 years and worked 25,000 hours without compensation were: Major Andy Anders, 23 years
on the force; Captain Tom Easterling, 23 years on the force; Captain Larry Bennett, 18 years;
Lieutenant John Drouet, 13 years; Lieutenant Bill Simpson, 23 years; and Sergeant Lavelle
Smith, 11 years, Captain Harry Petty, head of the Auxiliary, announced.
November 12, 1981
Monroe Police Narcotics Detective Pat Stewart and Sergeant Ray Clary were named the
outstanding Officer and Supervisor of the Year, respectively, Wednesday night during the
department's annual awards banquet. In addition to the traditional plaques, this year's winners
received a $100.00 check in memory of West Carroll Parish Sheriff T. W. Auger, a former
Monroe Police Officer who was killed last summer in a plane crash near Oak Grove.
Auger's brother, Sergeant Larry Auger, a State Police Narcotics Agent, presented the
memorials to Stewart and Clary.
Officer Stewart has been a Monroe Police Officer since May 1975. He has received
fifteen letters of commendation during his tenure as patrolman and detective.
Sergeant Clary is a thirteen year veteran of the department. He worked as a patrolman,
detective and Training Division supervisor before becoming a shift supervisor for the Patrol
Division.
Detective Frank Bougere received the Best Dressed Detective Award and Patrolman
Kerry Black received the Best Dressed Officer Award.
July 14, 1982
Three Pine Bluff, Arkansas men remained in the Ouachita Parish Jail Thursday on
charges of attempted armed robbery. They were arrested in the attempted robbery Wednesday
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night of the Piggly Wiggly Grocery Store- on Winnsboro Road. A Monroe Police spokesman
said a gunman entered the store at 1312 Winnsboro Road demanding money from the store
manager, Richard Moore. He took the gun away from the man and the man ran out the door and
got into a car with two other men. The three suspects were later found near Northeast Louisiana
University campus after their car had been followed by police from the area of the robbery.
August 24, 1982
A Monroe Police Officer was seriously injured and his house and car destroyed early
Tuesday when a fire started in the kitchen area of the house. Officer Jacob Adams, 32, was listed
in serious condition Tuesday in St. Francis Medical Center.
Assistant Police Chief E. W. Smith said the fire started while Adams was preparing
breakfast. "We're speculating that he was preparing something to eat in the kitchen and fell
asleep. Officer Adams had just gotten off duty," Smith said.
November 10, 1982
Monroe Police Captain Arnold L. Moore and Patrolman Chuck Cook were named the
outstanding Supervisor and Officer of the Year, respectively, Wednesday night during the
department's annual awards banquet.
Moore, a day shift supervisor, is a 21 year veteran of the department. He was first runner
up for Supervisor of the Year awards in 1978 and 1980.
Cook, also assigned to the day shift, has been president of the Police Officer's AFL-CIO
Union since last year. He joined the department in June 1979.
Two special professionalism plaques went to Officers S. M. Anderson and Tom
Torregrossa for separate incidents in which they were involved earlier this year.
Anderson was cited for his capture of an armed robbery suspect on May 1 at the J & J
Jiffy Mart on DeSiard Street. Anderson was off duty when he drove into the parking lot of the
store and realized the attendant was being robbed. He approached the door, identified himself as
a policeman and demanded that the suspect drop his revolver. The robber fled but was
apprehended by Officer Anderson a short distance away. A shot was fired during the incident
and the suspect suffered a minor wound to the left arm.
Torregrossa was honored for his action during a family dispute and shooting at a Booker
T. Washington Addition residence on July 7. Torregrossa, the first officer at the scene,
encountered an armed man who refused to give up his pistol and surrender to officers. As
officers surrounded the residence, Torregrossa, with service revolver in hand, stood a few feet
away from the gunman for an hour and thirty-eight minutes until the man finally relinquished his
weapon.
Lieutenant O. B. McCaa and Officer Marvin Dearman received the James J. Balsamo awards for
Best Dressed Detective and Officer while Monroe Insurance Agent George W. Trousdale, Jr.
was recognized for his dedication and contribution to law enforcement.
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February 11, 1983
The Monroe Police Department Thursday became the first department in Louisiana to use
new portable breath intoximeters to help determine if a motorist is drunk. The state approved
devices, strictly voluntary, will be used along with other tests field officers administer to
suspected drunken drivers.
Major G. L. Earl, head of the Patrol Division, demonstrated the new intoximeter and said
they were purchased by the department with money from a grant from the Louisiana Highway
Safety Commission.
April 18, 1983
Employees of the Monroe Police Department were issued new shoulder patches for their
uniforms last Sunday, announced Chief Willie Buffington.
Buffington said the new patches were designed by Detective Jim Gregory. The patches
are predominantly light blue and dark blue with red, white and yellow trim. The design on the
new patches consists of the steamboat Monroe, the city's namesake, cruising the Ouachita River.
The Phrase "Monroe Police" stands out on the patch. Printed below it all is "1783" the year of the
formation of the Ouachita Valley.
April 21, 1983
A 31 year old Monroe man was being held Wednesday in Ouachita Parish Jail on a
charge of attempted murder after a Monroe Police Officer was beaten with a pool stick at a local
nightclub. Three other men were arrested in connection with the incident which occurred at a
club on Thomas Street.
Police said the men were arrested shortly after 11:30 P.M. Tuesday when patrolmen
responded to a complaint that shots had been fired at the club. Patrolmen arrived at the club and
were confronted by several men. A fight ensued and Monroe Police Officer Michael Walker was
beaten several times by one of the men with a pool stick. Walker was taken by Metro Ambulance
to St. Francis Medical Center where he was treated and released.
September 6, 1983
Two Monroe police officers were treated at St. Francis Medical Center early Monday
after they were bitten on their arms while trying to break up a fight. An unidentified perso n
called Monroe Police and advised three men were fighting at the intersection of Parkview and
Crescent Streets. When Officers George Bucko and Michael Walker arrived and tried to break up
the fight, they were bitten. Bucko and Walker were treated and later released. A subject was
arrested on two counts of simple battery of a police officer in connection with the incident.
September 12, 1983
Two Monroe police officers and a Monroe motorist were seriously injured early Sunday during
an accident the three were involved in at U.S. 165 and Renwick Street.
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Sergeant Ray Clary said Officers Bert Morales and Evelyn Robinson were being treated
late Sunday at St. Francis Medical Center. They were both listed in satisfactory condition. The
officers were responding to a call about gunshots being fired at a Parkview Drive apartment. A
subject driving a pickup turned in front of the police unit and the collision occurred.
Officer Morales was driving a 1982 Dodge Diplomat and Officer Robinson was in the
passenger side of the unit. Both officers were trapped in the patrol unit for fifteen to twenty
minutes before being rescued by a police rescue squad. Both vehicles were demolished. Sergeant
Clary said no charges have been filed in connection with the accident at this time.
September 25, 1983
Lieutenant Bernard F. "Butch" Beckham was named "Lawman of the Year" recently for
his outstanding contributions to the Monroe community. The award, given by the La-West Tenn.
District of Kiwanis International, was presented at the District Kiwanis Convention held at the
Fairmont Hotel in New Orleans. Beckham, who has been employed by the Monroe Police
Department since 1966, has advanced through the ranks to his present rank of lieutenant.
September 29, 1983
The person who robbed Hardy's Fish market evidently thought the money he demanded
from the store's attendant wasn't enough, so he ordered five pounds of catfish to go. Monroe
Police Wednesday arrested a 25 year old man in connection with the robbery at the store located
at 1018 Winnsboro Road.
October 10, 1983
The Monroe Police Department is sending one of its officers to a Maryland school this
week in reference to hazardous materials. Lieutenant B. F. "Butch" Beckham left Sunday to
attend a six week course being sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
October 12, 1983
Law enforcement officers from about thirty states began arriving in Monroe Tuesday for
a three day conference to exchange information about Henry Lee Lucas, who claims to have
killed 165 women since 1976.
Lieutenant Joe Cummings of the Ouachita Parish Homicide Task Force said they would
also be discussing an accomplice of Lucas, Ottis E. Toole. In September, Lucas confessed to the
April 1981 murder of Northeast Louisiana University coed Kathy Whorton of Bastrop.
October 19, 1983
Monroe Police Patrolman Tommy Taylor and Sergeant W. G. Smith were named Officer
and Supervisor of the Year, respectively, Tuesday night during the department's annual awards
banquet. Best Dressed Officer Award went to Officer Charles F. Kukal and Best Dressed
Detective Award went to Detective Billy W. Kemp.
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January 21, 1984
Monroe Police Department Crime Prevention Officers Bob Crocker and Jimmy Hickey
introduced crime fighting caninie, "McGruff", at Georgia Tucker Elementary School Monday.
"McGruff" is visiting area schools and is instructing pupils on ways to protect themselves from
becoming victims of crimes.
January 26, 1984
Major Gerald Earl retires from the Monroe Police Department on February 7, 1984.
Major Earl has been in charge of the Traffic and Patrol Division where he "did an outstanding
job," said Chief Willie Buffington. Earl is a 23 year veteran of the department.
Captain Arnold L. Moore, another 23 year veteran, will replace Major Earl. Moore is
commander of the day shift.
February 22, 1984
Crime Stoppers of Ouachita, Inc. becomes fully-operational today with local newspapers
and television stations giving readers and viewers a detailed presentation of what the newly
formed crime prevention program is all about. Sergeant Ray Clary, program coordinator,
announced KNOE-TV will run a videotape of the reenactment of the local crime of the week
tonight at 6:00 P.M.
February 25, 1984
Assistant Chief of Police E. W. Smith will retire on May 1, 1984. Major Willis Warner
will replace Chief Smith. The department held a retirement party for Chief Smith Friday
afternoon.
May 11, 1984
Officer Marvin Dearman has been with the Monroe Police Department for twelve years.
Thursday he was honored by the Twin City Optimist Club as its "Police Officer of the Year." At
a noon luncheon held at the Ramada Inn, friends of Dearman spoke of his accomplishments.
"Marvin is a dedicated, sincere officer," said Major A. L. Moore, Dearman's supervisor. "He
always gave that extra mile and I think you made a good choice."
One of Dearman's major accomplishments, the one he is most proud of, is the
organization of the police dive team. After becoming interested in diving, Dearman persuaded
Monroe Police Chief Buffington to establish a team. Dearman was instrumental in coordinating
and training the team.
May 12, 1984
A Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) has been installed at the Monroe
Police Department, Chief Willie Buffington announced at a press conference Friday morning.
The device translates electronic impulses transmitted over the deaf person's telephone into a
typed message at headquarters. The TDD was donated by the Quota Club of Monroe.
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May 23, 1984
Monroe Police Officers Bobby Tillman and Larry Buford were honored by the Kiwanis
Club as the City's Lawmen of the Year. Both Tillman and Buford were named Lawmen of the
Year for their undercover investigative work into drug trafficking in the black community. Their
three month investigation resulted in 95 drug arrests.
Also honored were Monroe Police Lieutenant Joe Cummings and Ouachita Parish Sheriff
Deputy Jay Via as recipients of the Citizenship Award. They received this award for their
outstanding service to the community in working on the Ouachita Parish Homicide Task Force.
Their efforts resulted in ten arrests for unsolved homicides, some of which dated back to 1976.
June 3, 1984
A Monroe Police Officer and another man were treated and released Friday night at local
hospitals following injuries suffered during a two car accident which occurred at 9:52 P.M.
Friday.
Monroe Police said the police officer, John Pipes, was apparently at fault. Pipes was
driving a police vehicle at the time of the accident. Police said a preliminary investigation
revealed that Pipes was westbound on Ouachita Avenue, turning south on Jackson Street when
he failed to stop at a traffic light.
September 12, 1984
A West Carroll Parish man has filed a $150,000.00 lawsuit against three Monroe police
officers and the City of Monroe. He alleged the officers beat him after responding to a complaint
at a Monroe motel on September 10, 1983. The suit names the city, Police Officers James Fried,
Bert Morales and Monroe Reserve Officer Ben Dillingham as defendants.
In its present form, the lawsuit says that Fried and Morales "rushed into the petitioner's
room and began beating him with night sticks until he lost consciousness." It also accuses
Officer Fried of slamming the police patrol car door on the petitioner's leg.
Monroe City Prosecutor Carl Sharp said the matter will be referred to the city's insurance
carrier and will be handled by its attorney.
On September 20, 1984, Officers Fried and Morales filed a suit against the man asking
for a total of $220,093 in damages from him. The response from the officers states that the man
first attempted to strike Officer Fried with his fist and later with a lamp. It also says the man bit
Officer Fried on the leg during the struggle and that a scar remains, although one year has passed
since the man's aggression.
September 14, 1984
Monroe police officers clashed with a man who had been stopped for speeding Thursday.
Officer Randy Brown clocked the man's car on radar doing 52 mph in a 35 mph zone. Upon
being stopped in front of Eastgate Shopping Center Officer Brown advised the man of the
speeding violation. At this time the man became belligerent and used loud and profane language.
When Officer Brown attempted to cuff the man he resisted; Officer Brown called for assistance
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and Officers Randy Cotita and Don Bartley arrived and the man was arrested for speeding,
resisting arrest and switched license plates. Bond was set at $1,389.50.
October 8, 1984
Governor Edwin Edwards appointed Monroe Police Chief Willie Buffington and
Patrolman First Class Carol Andrews to the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and
Administration of Criminal Justice.
The Governor also tapped Chief Buffington for one of the eleven seats on the Council of
Peace Officers Standards and Training. Buffington and Andrews will find out Wednesday what
their duties are when the commission's fifty members meet in Baton Rouge.
October 31, 1984
A twenty-three year veteran and five year veteran on the Monroe Police Department won
the top awards at the department's Eighth Annual Supervisor and Officer of the Year Awards
Banquet Tuesday night.
Major Charles R. Myers, transferred to Technical Services shortly after his September
promotion to Major, was chosen as the Supervisor of the year. Myers, a veteran of the
department since December 1961, is the first officer to win the award twice. He was first given
the award in 1979.
Officer of the Year, the department's other top award, was given to Corporal Myron L.
Smith, a five year veteran. Smith, who holds a masters degree in law enforcement, was runner-up
in 1981 and 1982 for the award.
Melissa Duncan received a first-time award to honor a police employee. She is in the
Administrative Division.
The Best Dressed Investigator Award went to Warren Brown, a fifteen year veteran.
The Best Dressed Officer Award went to Officer William Willis, a ten year veteran.
November 10, 1984
Monroe Police are now locking the front doors after 5:00 P.M. and all day on weekends
and holidays. A sign directs people to enter the building through the west end door where they
can be observed by a remote camera and can talk to police through a two-way voice box.
Major B. R. Greer said, "Several incidents have occurred here that have threatened the
desk clerk and we had to take measures to protect her."
December 4, 1984
Lieutenant B. F. "Butch" Beckham is back from a six week course at the National
Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, Maryland. He will now help the department begin
work on how to handle hazardous materials incidents. Beckham's training is just one link in
efforts, spearheaded by Chief Willie Buffington, to organize a hazardous materials response team
for Ouachita Parish.
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December 24, 1984 Willis Warner remembers the day he got the radio call to park his police
motorcycle for the last time; that was seventeen years ago. Warner, Monroe's Assistant Chief of
Police, and one of the city's last motorcycle cops, remembers that April day in 1967 when he was
told to return to headquarters. "I came in and I was told to park my motorcycle and go home and
get in a regular uniform. When I returned, I was put in a patrol car. There was no warning, they
just did it," Chief Warner said.
Warner, an eight year motorcycle veteran, says the Harley-Davidson Model 74
motorcycles were used on the police force for traffic control.
January 14, 1985
Monroe Police Reserve Officers worked more than 10,800 hours in 1984, saving the city
and the police department $176,699 in overtime. Jim Renfro, President of Monroe Police
Reserves, Inc., said most of the thirty-nine members put in more than the required ten hours each
month. Reserve Officers perform police duties with no pay or any other compensation, said
Renfro.
June 3, 1985
Monroe Police Officer Tom Torregrossa and his police dog, Bandit, and Officer David
Harris and his police dog, Major, recently completed twelve weeks of training at the Northwest
Regional Criminal Justice Institute K-9 Training Center in Shreveport. Much of the training
focused on complete control of the animal by the handler through fine tuned obedience classes.
June 8, 1985
Lieutenant B. F. "Butch" Beckham has been placed in charge of the new Special Events
Office. The office was created by Police Chief Willie Buff ington to organize parades, man boat
patrols, oversee police reserves, handle rescues and monitor hazardous materials. The backbone
of the Special Events Office is the Monroe Police Reserves. Beckham is the police department
coordinator for the reserves and sees that they are assigned to parades, park events and traffic
control so regular police officers can patrol the city.
August 1, 1985
Monroe Police Department's two police dog teams will be in Shreveport this weekend to
compete in regional K-9 competitions.
Dog handlers Tom Torregrossa and his teammate, Bandit, and David Harris and his
teammate, Major, will be competing against members of the United States Police Canine
Association, Inc. These members will be coming from Arkansas, Texas, Mississippi and other
Louisiana cities and towns. Harris and Torregrossa said they are being sponsored by Chief Willie
Buffington on behalf of the Monroe Police Department.
September 1, 1985
Anonymous tippers to Crime Stoppers of Ouachita, Inc. helped Monroe Police, West
Monroe Police and Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Office make 158 arrests as of August 30, 1985.
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In August alone, Crime Stoppers spent $2,200.00 in reward money to recover $97,800.00
in stolen merchandise and illegal drugs, said Lieutenant Ray Clary, who has headed up Crime
Stoppers since it started in February 1984.
September 7, 1985
An invalid woman, distressed over her runaway pet dog, called Monroe Police Thursday
asking that they not shoot her pet. The police did better than that; they returned the dog safe and
sound after a fifteen minute search.
Lieutenant J. H. Weems and Sergeant D. W. Pickens went to the residence and talked to
the lady. Weems tried to explain to her that the police did not shoot dogs running loose without
collars. They then went out in the area and found her dog and returned it to her.
September 13, 1985
After several incidents of persons attempting to jump the desk sergeant's counter at the
Monroe Police Department, the department has installed one half inch lexicon glass partitions at
the two counters in the front lobby of the station. Clerks Cheryl Rogers and Diane Dofford both
think it's good for their safety.
The windows are shatterproof and they can be pulled together and locked to prevent
someone on the opposite side from climbing the counter. The front doors will be open 24 hours
whereas they were locked at night and the only entrance was at the west end door. Now, the west
end door is locked at night, said Assistant Chief Willis Warner.
October 2, 1985
Drivers who return to their parked cars at curb meters and find parking tickets on them
won't find the ticket drop boxes any more. Willis Warner, Assistant Chief of Police, said
Monday that all the boxes were removed from the streets after they were broken into last week.
Persons getting parking tickets should either bring the ticket to Monroe Police or mail in the
tickets with the fine.
December 21, 1985
The delivery of Christmas cheer to some elderly and less fortunate families came to a
crashing halt Friday when Monroe Police Officer Don Conerly and Reserve Officer Larry
"Smoke" Matthews were involved in an accident.
Officer Matthews was driving the police vehicle south on Lea Joyner Expressway and the
driver of another vehicle was headed east on Layton. The eastbound vehicle failed to stop at the
stop sign and hit the police unit.
Conerly and Matthews were treated at St. Francis Medical Center and released. Police
Chief Willie Buffington said Conerly and Matthews had been working on their own time during
the past couple of weeks in gathering Christmas contributions of food from local supermarkets
and planned to deliver the groceries Friday evening. Buffington said the two officers should be
able to make the deliveries in the next few days.
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February 17, 1986
Monroe Police Dive Team has joined with West Monroe Police, Louisiana State Police,
Monroe City Marshal's Office and Jackson Parish Sheriff's Office to form the area's first Rescue
and Recovery Team.
These dive teams will work with each other when they are called upon. Each department
has a mutual agreement to give help to each other when called. The members from the Monroe
Police Department are: Cameron Douglas, Randy Cotita and Bob Brown.
February 24, 1986
Since June 1985 when the Monroe City Council reinstated an ordinance requiring bicycle
registration, 119 registered bikes reported stolen were returned to the owners. Monroe Police
Officer Limon Simon, who is in charge of the department's newly formed Bicycle Registration
and Recovery Section, said that another ten stolen but unregistered bikes were also returned.
Officer Simon said there have been only a few callers complaining about the registration law.
May 2, 1986
The Monroe Police Department has twenty-six new certified officers to operate a new
machine to detect drunken drivers. The officers will have completed their forty hour course
certifying them as operators for the Intoxilyzer 5000, a machine that almost operates itself.
Captain Butch Beckham said the twenty-six officer and sixteen other officers already
certified will make half the members of each shift qualified to operate the machine.
May 14, 1986
The Monroe Police Department's three member K-9 Unit was sitting pretty Tuesday as
the dogs received their own badges, officially becoming members of the force.
Bandit, Cairo and Major were recognized in a ceremony that was part of National Police
Week. Chief Willie Buffington said Mayor Bob Powell had suggested giving the K-9's
individual badges, which will hang on the dog's collars.
Today's animal team has helped apprehend a total of ninety-four felony suspects and two
misdemeanor suspects. Buffington said Major, who is handled by Corporal David Harris, joined
the force in March 1984. Cairo, who is handled by Corporal Tommy Taylor, joined the force in
June 1984 and Bandit, who is handled by Corporal Tom Torregrossa, joined the force in March
1985.
July 2, 1986
The North Delta Law Enforcement Academy, located at Northeast Louisiana University,
graduated its first class of reserve police officers Tuesday night with diplomas going to officers
from Monroe and West Monroe, and deputies from Ouachita and Lincoln Parishes.
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Mayor Bob Powell was the guest speaker and praised the reserve officer program, and
said during 1985 alone, the Monroe Police Reserves contributed over 8,000 hours of service to
the city.
Graduates from the Monroe Police Reserves were: Loyde Arender, T. P. Bethea, H. Earl
Breaux, Pamela H. Campbell, John Cicero, Jr., William Earl, Martin Evans, Vince Hodnett, Peter
Lindsey, Reese London, Robert Morris, Jack Pope, Jr. , Dennis Powell, James Renfro, Dennis
Reynolds, Malcolm Williams, Albert Woodul, James Wriska and Larry Yates.
September 3, 1986
Heavily armed Monroe Police officers stormed, a south side house Tuesday to arrest a
man who allegedly threatened a woman with what was later discovered to be a toy handgun.
Officers spent thirty tense minutes calling to the man inside and surveying the house as they
positioned themselves and a police dog for a charge inside. After getting inside the house,
officers found the subject sleeping on a bed. Nearby was a realistic-looking toy .38 caliber snub
revolver.
Lieutenant Pete Taylor said a woman who lived at the residence called Monroe Police
and advised a man unknown to her had entered her home. This man pointed a gun at her and then
tore at her clothing. The woman ran out the house and called police. The man was booked with
aggravated burglary and aggravated sexual battery.
November 2, 1986
A Monroe man was charged with the attempted murder of a police officer Saturday
morning after he took out a butcher knife and tried to stab officers arresting him for trespassing.
When Officers Vince Hodnett and James McGee attempted to handcuff the suspect he
pulled a ten to twelve inch butcher knife and started trying to stab both officers. Hodnett received
cuts on both hands and was treated at St. Francis Medical Center and released. The suspect was
arrested for trespassing and attempted murder.
November 21, 1986
Limon Simon, a twenty year veteran of the Monroe Police Department, won the award
for Officer of the Year Thursday night at the department's Tenth Annual Supervisor and Officer
of the Year Banquet.
Sergeant Charles Hill was named Supervisor of the Year and Melissa Duncan, Secretary
to the Assistant Chief, was named Employee of the year.
The Best Dressed Officer Award went to Drenetta Green and the Best Dressed
Investigator Award went to Myron Smith.
January 4, 1987
A scam which Monroe Police say has been in operation for about three days cost a
convenience store worker $350.00 Saturday afternoon.
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The clerk told Officer Chuck Kukal that a man called the store and identified himself as a
doctor and said he had lost an expensive man's ring outside in the phone booth. The man said the
ring belonged to his deceased brother and he would give the clerk a $700.00 reward if he found
the ring. The clerk went outside to the phone and found a man on the phone. When the man hung
up he asked what the clerk was looking for and the clerk told him about the ring. The man said
he had found the ring and would give it to the clerk for $350.00 which the clerk did. The man
then left the store. The doctor who made the cal] did not show up and the ring was found to be
worth very little. No arrest was made.
May 2, 1987
A 1968 school bus, described two years ago as a "worn out pile of junk" was proudly
presented to the City of Monroe Friday afternoon by the Monroe Police Department's Reserve
Unit. This Mobile Command Center, officially named Command Post 1, is the product of two
years of work by eight members of the Monroe Police Reserve Unit. The school bus was
acquired from the Monroe School Board and has been completely refurbished. It will be used
during emergencies, civil disasters and as central location during community events.
Those reserve officers involved in remodeling the bus were: Martin Evans, Prentice
Hixon, Jerry Hodge, Tommy McJunkins, Jackie Pope, Jim Renfro, Bob West and Malcolm
Williams. "These officers have done all this work on their off time from their jobs," said Captain
B. F. "Butch" Beckham, reserve coordinator. "Without the hours of labor they have put in and
the items donated by area businesses, this massive undertaking couldn't have become a reality."
October 23, 1987
The Supervisor of the Year was Sergeant Don Pickens and Officer of the Year was Larry
"Smoke" Matthews. Best Dressed Officer was Mac Anderson and Best Dressed Investigator was
Detective Joe Poe. The Employee Appreciation Award went to Radio Operator Robin Bradford.
March 4, 1988
Two Monroe police officers were slightly injured after struggling with a 22 year old man
about 12:30 A.M. Thursday. The incident occurred when Officers Richard Fuller and Jacob
Adams responded to a family disturbance on South Thirteenth Street.
Upon the arrival of Officer Fuller, the suspect apparently jumped in front of the patrol car
and when Officer Fuller got out to question him, he jumped into the patrol car and started to
drive away. Officer Fuller also jumped into the car and the struggle ensued. The suspect drove
the car into a ditch and Officer Fuller then called for help and Officer Adams arrived. The
suspect kicked Officer Adams in the mouth.
The suspect was taken to E. A. Conway Memorial Hospital where he was treated and
held for observation. Officers Fuller and Adams were treated and released.
May 27, 1988
After less than one year, the head jailer for the Monroe City Jail is retiring, Police Chief
Willie Buffington has announced.
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Sergeant Graham Gardner will retire from the Monroe Police Department at the end of
this month to become a Home Detention Officer at Green Oaks Detention Center. Gardner will
be replaced by Lieutenant Danny Miller at the end of the month, Buffington said at a press
conference Thursday.
May 29, 1988
For the past several years, Ella Smith Dixon has shown Monroe Police exactly how she
feels about them. As often as she can, Dixon prepares cakes and other snacks for them. Police
Chief Willie Buffington said, "You never know what she'll do. She bakes cakes, cookies, pies
and sometimes whole meals, enough to feed the whole department."
"I'm grateful to the," she said. "Once, the officers helped my teenage daughter when she
had gotten in with the wrong crowd," she said.
June 25, 1988
Karen Spaulding was trampled by her horse, Sug, Sunday afternoon when the animal
became frightened during a rainstorm. Not realizing how seriously she was injured, she called
Officer Bert Morales to ask for a ride home. Morales, a Monroe Police Officer and a part-time
security guard at a local department store where Spaulding works, was just getting off work at
the store. When Officer Morales arrived at the stables to pick up Spaulding, he found she had
gone into shock and assumed she was bleeding internally. He then rushed her to North Monroe
Hospital. Spaulding's mother says Officer Morales saved her daughter's life by his quick action.
July 22, 1988
Ella Dixon didn't want to come out of her house Thursday afternoon, but the policemen
standing outside her front door wouldn't go away. Finally, with a lot of coaxing from Officer
Michael T. Walker and an encouraging smile from Lieutenant C. W. Tullos, Dixon emerged and
found the officers had brought her a brand new air conditioner, compliments of employees of the
Monroe Police Department and American Bank. "This is our way of saying thank you for all the
food you have baked for us. We also have another one coming; Officer Billy Powell donated
one," Walker said.
November 16, 1988
Sergeant Herbert Otwell was named 1988 Supervisor of the Year and Corporal Billy
Willis was named Officer of the Year at the Twelfth Annual Supervisor and Officer of the Year
Banquet.
Otwell, who has worked for the department since 1973, is a graduate of the Louisiana
State University Basic Training Academy. As a pilot for the Monroe Police Department's Air 1,
an airplane the department used for patrol, Otwell logged more than 200 hours of flight time.
In 1977 he was named outstanding police officer by the Kiwanis Club. He was Officer of
the Year in 1985.
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Willis began working for the department in November 1974. He resigned on July 19,
1978 and was employed again two months later. He was named Best Dressed Officer of the Year
in 1984. Willis is assigned to the K-9 Division, Chief Buffington said.
Pamela Hennigan, a communications officer, received the Employee Appreciation
Award. Hennigan began working for the department in February 1980.
Chief Buffington presented a special award to Officer Bert Morales for helping save the
life of Karen Spaulding, a Monroe resident who was stepped on by her horse.
Officer Tim Zeigler received the Best Dressed Officer Award and Detective Alford
Cherry received the Best Dressed Investigator Award.
May 13, 1989
Police Chief Willie Buffington proposed Friday that rookie police officers "do time" as
jailers before going out on the streets. The plan would accomplish two things, he said: provide
better management of the jail, which has been rocked by scandals in the past two years, and
better prepare rookies to become police officers.
The jail has been rocked by problems for at least two years, prompting police officials to
more closely screen applicants for jailer positions.
In July 1987, four jailers and the jail commander were fired for allegedly violating inmates' civil
rights by cuffing them to jail bars and scrubbing them.
In July 1988, two jailers and a former jailer were accused of having sex with female inmates.
Buffington said he is considering having rookies work in the jail for a minimum of one year.
May 27, 1989
The Greater Monroe Optimist Club honored four officers of the year Friday during the
organization's annual Law Day ceremonies. Officer of the Year from the Monroe Police
Department was Paul Harper. He won the award for helping solve a string of armed robberies
during January. While off duty he responded to a dispatcher's call of the robbery and he and
another officer chased the suspect in Harper's personal car and relayed information to nearby
police units. The suspect was arrested the next day because of information from Harper.
June 1, 1989
Monroe Police Wednesday began rounding up 96 people being charged in connection
with selling alcohol to juveniles. Police Chief Willie Buffington said the arrests are the result of
a three and a half month investigation that began January 1, 1989 after a number of residents
complained their children were buying alcohol in Monroe.
The businesses were chosen at random and visited at least twice by a fifteen year old girl
and a seventeen year old boy. Warrants were issued May 26 for 96 people who face several
misdemeanor charges, including sales to a minor, allowing minors on licensed premises, failure
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to check identification and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, said Sergeant Frank
Bougere.
July 30, 1989
An International Association of Chiefs of Police study of the Monroe Police Department
released last week recommends the city reorganize the entire department. "The department
suffers from serious organizational flaws which must receive immediate and continuing
attention," the study states.
Despite the number of hard working, highly motivated and well-educated officers, the
organizational system doesn't provide goals, objectives, authority or responsibility, the study
says. Of the 160 recommendations made, realigning the police rank structure was the highest
priority. The plan calls for shifting employees and would eventually eliminate the ranks of
assistant chief and major and would limit the number of captains and lieutenants.
August 23, 1989
The Monroe City Council and Police Chief Willie Buffington will select a commission to
try to improve relations between the police department and the community. Establishing a
Human Relations Commission, one of 160 recommendations made by the International
Association of Chiefs of Police, is one of the department's top priorities, Buffington said at a precouncil meeting Tuesday.
October 2, 1989
A restructuring of the Monroe Police Department which will put more authority into the
hands of three bureau chiefs went into effect Sunday.
The study recommended the department be divided into the Office of the Chief of Police
and three bureaus: Patrol, Investigative and Administrative Services. The Patrol Bureau will be
headed by Major Stanley Jones; Captain Doc McClanahan is over the Investigative Bureau; and
Major Charles Myers is in charge of Administrative Services.
October 20, 1989
Monroe Police will no longer unlock car doors for stranded motorists, the department
announced Thursday. The decision was made after an International Association of Chiefs of
Police study of the department recommended that the department stop performing non-police
functions such as unlocking car doors, turning the bridge and escorting funerals, said Ray Clary,
Public Information Officer.
November 8, 1989
Four officers were recognized Tuesday night during the Monroe Police Department's
Annual Supervisor and Officer of the Year Awards Banquet.
Lieutenant James Zambie, Jr. was named Supervisor of the Year. He served in the Patrol
Division from 1969 to 1975, then transferred to the Investigative Division. He graduated from
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Northeast Louisiana University, the Louisiana State University Law Enforcement Basic Training
Academy and the LSU Law Enforcement Institute.
Corporals Bert Morales and Evelyn Robinson were selected as Officers of the Year. It
was the first time there was a tie in the thirteen year old awards program. Morales has been with
the department since 1983. He is a graduate of NLU and NLU's Basic Training Academy. He
was promoted to corporal in June 1988. Corporal Evelyn Robinson has been with the department
since 1982. She serves on the Monroe Police Human Relations Commission. She was promoted
to corporal in 1987 and in April was transferred to the Evidence Division. Last month she was
transferred to Special Operations Crime Analysis.
Communications Officer Pamela S. Hennigan received the Employee Appreciation
Award. She has worked for the department for seven years, both as a police officer and a police
communications officer.
January 25, 1990
Monroe Police moved into Parkview Apartments Wednesday prepared to stay however
long it takes to stop drug dealing and violence that are a part of everyday life there, Chief Willie
Buffington said. At least six people were arrested on trespassing charges during the first night of
the crackdown and some of the residents welcomed the tightened security. But they also worried
that, as in the past, the crime will return when the police leave. There were five police officers
working days and fifteen officers working nights.
March 1, 1990
An anonymous Crime Stoppers tip prompted by a Wednesday television program on
unsolved area crimes led to additional charges against a Monroe City Jail inmate whose picture
was shown during the program.
The suspect was one of two suspected drug dealers profiled during "Our Second Line of
Defense," which aired at 6:30 P.M. on KNOE-TV. Crime Stoppers of Ouachita, Inc. helped
coordinate the program, which also featured reenactments of four unsolved area murders and a
West Monroe burglary, said Detective Joe Stewart, Crime Stoppers Coordinator.
March 12, 1990
Chief Willie Buffington said last week the department is removing its mobile command
post from the Parkview complex and scaling back the round the clock patrols. He has not given a
date for leaving and the command post was still at Parkview Sunday.
The reason for leaving the complex was budget cuts by the City Council. Buffington said we will
not completely abandon the complex but scale it back some. Buffington viewed the 45 day detail
as a success. In a report to the City Council's budget committee last week, Buffington said the
exercise resulted in 91 arrests on 151 charges at the complex. "It was well worth every penny of
the $75,000.00 we spent to run the thing," Buffington said.
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March 22, 1990
Anyone wanting to file a complaint against the Monroe Police Department should be able
to, Detective Kirk Petterson of the department's Internal Affairs Division said Wednesday. He
said his office was moved from police headquarters three months ago to a building on St. John
Street across from the state office building so people filing complaints won't be intimidated by
uniformed police officers.
March 31, 1990
The Monroe Police Department's "Jump Team" is back on the streets at Parkview
Apartments. The department's budget was cut and the team was pulled from the area. Former
members told Chief Buffington Friday they were willing to work without pay to keep the Jump
Team in action.
"I don't like the idea of telling the bad guys, 'The City Council has canned the Jump
Team; the streets are yours again'" said Detective Jimmy Crockett, one of the volunteers. About
twenty-five officers went to Chief Buffington and offered to work without pay to make sure that
the Jump Team continued to operate. Chief Buffington took them up on their offer and even
joined them in patrolling Parkview Apartments.
April 23, 1990
Some Plantation Apartments residents were evacuated Sunday afternoon while Monroe
Police tried to detonate a hand grenade found on a trash dumpster. The grenade was found on a
ledge of the dumpster. Police evacuated only building 21.
The grenade was placed into a bomb container and taken to police headquarters where it
was found to have no explosives in the grenade. Captain Tommy Poulan, Lieutenant Warren
Brown, Sergeant Henry Miller and Officer Gary Telano dismantled the hand grenade.
June 26, 1990
The Monroe Police Department's Jump Team will be back on the street this weekend
after the City Council approved $200,000.00 Monday to fund the drug and gang fighting task
force. This will allow Chief Buffington to hire ten more officers and staff the team.
June 26, 1990
The Monroe City Council adopted an ordinance Monday that will close all city parks
between midnight and 5:00 A.M. This will go into effect July 1, 1990, after residents who live
near Forsythe Park signed a petition in May asking the council to control unruly crowds in the
park during the early morning hours.
July 3, 1990
The Monroe Police Department's new Director of Personnel and Public Relations began
work Monday as part of Chief Willie Buffington's move toward hiring more civilians.
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George Trousdale, 52, of Monroe was hired to coordinate advertising for job openings,
schedule civil service exams and maintain personnel records and eligibility lists. Eventually,
Trousdale will also direct accounting and purchasing, Buffington said.
July 12, 1990
When Monroe Police Lieutenant Charles Tullos and Sergeant Jim Gregory get dispatched
to a crime scene, they take their office with them. Their office is a 1985 Chevrolet van which has
inside brushes, vials, tape, black and gray fingerprint powder and other items used to help solve
crime.
The department's Crime Scene Unit was first obtained in February of 1986 and has been
equipped over the years with different items needed to gather evidence at the scene of a crime.
Captain Don McClanahan and Lieutenant Jimmy Zambie said because of the Crime
Scene Unit and the work of Tullos and Gregory, we get the evidence needed to place a suspect at
the scene of many major crimes.
September 18, 1990
Monroe Police Department received two video cameras from State Farm Insurance
Company to be used to film the arrests of people accused of driving while intoxicated. Chief
Willie Buffington said the cameras will be mounted on the dash of police cars and activated by
officers at the scene. Major Stanley Jones said they hope to introduce tapes of the arrests as
evidence in court.
September 20, 1990
Monroe Police Officer Doug Tarver and his dog, Ricky, placed eighth out of twenty-five
dogs entered in the United States Police Canine Association's Region 10 trials in Shreveport.
Ricky, a Belgian Malinois used by the department to search for and apprehend suspects, also
placed second in obedience, received certification as an official police dog. He qualified for
national USPCA trials in Dunedin, Florida.
October 17, 1990
Thirteen years ago a suspected prowler was shot by a police officer in a Monroe alley.
Now CBS is recreating the early morning call, answered by two officers, for an episode of the
"Top Cops" television series that will air later this year.
"It brought back some good memories and some bad memories, but we were pleased to
be part of the show," said retired Captain Butch Beckham and Lieutenant Bob Crocker. They
flew to Toronto, Canada in October to narrate the reenactment and help with filming.
Beckham now works for the Fourth District Attorney's Office and Crocker is head of the
Police Crime Prevention and Public Relations Division.
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November 21, 1990
A twenty-two year veteran of the Monroe Police Department was named Supervisor of
the Year for the second time. A sudden illness kept Captain Raymond E. Clary from attending
the Department's Fourteenth Annual Supervisor and Officer of the Year Awards Banquet
Tuesday night. But he said, from his HCA North Monroe Hospital room, he was elated he was
chosen once again. Clary also received the award in 1981 and was named runner-up in 1983.
Ten year veteran John C. Bradford was named Officer of the Year. The Best Dressed
Officer Award was presented to five year veteran William "Bill" Webb, and Donald Bartley, a
fifteen year veteran, captured the award for the Best Dressed Investigator. Carol Faye Tarver, an
eleven year veteran, earned the Employee Appreciation Award.
December 20, 1990
A man disguised with a paste-on beard, hat and dark glasses robbed a branch of People's
Homestead Savings Bank, address 710 U.S. 165 North, Wednesday after handing a teller what
appeared to be a bomb. State Police bomb experts, however, determined later that the device was
not dangerous.
The man entered the front door of the bank and handed the device to one of the tellers
and demanded money, Lieutenant Warren Brown said. After the robbery, the teller tossed the
"bomb" out the bank's back door where it remained until bomb experts from Baton Rouge
removed it four hours later. The device appeared to be a slender, red, cylindrical canister
wrapped in yellow tape and attached to a small box with a red light on it.
January 3, 1991
When a Monroe bank was robbed last month, the city's 911 system worked properly,
dispatchers followed correct procedure and police officers responded as they were told. But
because of one of the system's functions, officers arrived at the wrong place; and the same thing
could happen to any business that uses a central switchboard to connect office telephones in
other locations.
A teller at People's Homestead Savings Bank, 710 U.S. 165 North, called 911 when the
robbery occurred. But because the bank's phones are all linked to a switchboard at the main
office, 1220 North Eighteenth Street, police were sent there. That's the address that showed up
on the automated location indicator in the police communications office, Lieutenant Marvin
Dearman said.
March 24, 1991
The owner of a Monroe cafe and six other city residents were arrested Friday on apparent
unrelated drug charges in a late night sting operation by the Monroe Police Jump Team.
Sergeant Billy Kemp, Jump Team supervisor, said the Blue Light Cafe is a "hot spot" for drug
trafficking and police have made several drug related arrests at the business. This cafe sits in a
residential section of the Booker T community with a church located across the street and an
elementary school about six blocks away.
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April 3, 1991
The Human Relations Commission voted 8-2 Tuesday night to disband its Monroe Police
complaint procedures committee, saying the committee's focus is already in operation. The
complaint procedures committee was designed to receive and process all complaints received
from citizens against Monroe police officers, said George Trousdale, a complaints committee
and commission member. Detective Kirk Petterson of the department's Professional Standards
Unit told commission members that a pamphlet was designed to outline procedures that citizens
should follow if they have a complaint against an officer.
April 4, 1991
Two Monroe police officers will be bringing Project DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance
Education) to Monroe's thirteen elementary schools this fall. Officer Mary Ann McElroy, who
has been on the department for three years, and Corporal Carol Andrews, a fourteen year
veteran, will be teaching a seventeen week program to fifth and sixth grade students. The
program is designed to provide accurate information about tobacco, alcohol and drugs; teach
decision making skills; show how to resist peer pressure and give ideas for alternatives to drug
use.
July 5, 1991
Corporal Billy Willis of the Monroe Police Department's Jump Team, displayed to the
press 31.2 grams of crack cocaine, the largest amount ever seized by the special unit. The
cocaine has a street value of $3,000.00 to $4,000.00 and was confiscated Tuesday from a suspect
arrested for trespassing. Officers also seized 1.3 grams of marijuana at the time of the suspect's
arrest.
July 28, 1991
Monroe Police Department's reorganization, recommended by the International
Association of Chiefs of Police, goes into effect today, said Chief Willie Buffington.
Changes under the plan include the merging of the Patrol and Investigative Divisions into
one Operations Bureau headed by Major Ray Clary. Crossing guards and meter clerks were
taken out of the Patrol Division and placed under a Support Bureau headed by Major Don
McClanahan. Lieutenant Don Pickens will continue to head the Special Operations Unit and
Sergeant Frank Bougere will head a Management Services Unit.
July 28, 1991
A new class in the Monroe Police Department is giving officers additional training in
calming potential troublemakers by talking to them and, if that doesn't work, how to use the
proper amount of force. "It mainly shows officers how they can get their job done without using
force or threat," said Detective Kirk Petterson, one of two people teaching the class.
Petterson and Lieutenant Don Pickens attended a similar training class in Dallas and have
adapted the class to the needs of Monroe. All of the department's 142 commissioned officers are
taking the course.
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September 4, 1991
Judy Thomas and Sandy Johnson, Parking Meter Officers for the department, are a
common sight for visitors to downtown Monroe. Police Chief Willie Buffington said the two
wrote 35,394 parking tickets in 1990 which brought $38,439.00 into the city's general fund in the
fiscal year from May 1990 to April 1991. The job keeps both Thomas and Johnson walking five
miles a day, Monday through Friday.
September 6, 1991
Monroe Police Officer Cassandra Smith on Thursday became the first department officer
to be suspended for allegedly failing to appear in court to testify. However, Smith's attorney said
the suspension was being appealed because other officers are constantly missing court dates and
have been for years without disciplinary action being taken.
September 18, 1991
The Monroe Police Department is sending Major Ray Clary to Washington, D.C. today to
begin, a ten day seminar on dignitary security. Law enforcement officials from across the United
States are expected to attend the seminar which will be taught by Secret Service Agents. When
he returns, Clary said, he probably will instruct other officers.
November 20, 1991
Monroe Police Lieutenant William F. Peel was named Supervisor of the Year Tuesday
night at the department's Fifteenth Annual Supervisor and Officer of the Year Awards Banquet.
Peel joined the police department in November 1971 and has worked in the Patrol,
Investigative, Juvenile and Forgery Divisions.
The Officer of the Year Award was presented to Corporal Paul Harper who joined the
department in July 1985. Harper, a member of the MPD Dive Team, works on the first shift as a
patrolman. In 1989 he was nominated for the Louisiana Jaycees Outstanding Young Law
Enforcement Officer Award.
Employee Appreciation Award went to Carol Faye Tarver, a secretary in the department's
Operations Bureau. Tarver, a twelve year MPD employee, also received the award at last year's
banquet.
Best Dressed Investigator Award went to Detective Kerry Black who joined the
department in March 1980.
Best Dressed Officer Award went to Corporal Robert Webb who joined the department in
July 1985.
February 24, 1992
A Monroe Police Officer Saturday saved a man who had doused himself in gasoline and
set himself on fire in an apparent suicide attempt. The victim was being held Sunday at E. A.
Conway Medical Center.
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The officer, Euckle Hunter, received a commendation. Officer Hunter was sent to the victim's
house shortly after 1:30 A.M. Sunday when the victim called the department and said he planned
to kill himself. When Officer Hunter arrived the victim was sitting in a cloth chair in the
doorway of the house. "The victim had doused himself with gasoline and had politely taken a
seat," Hunter said. Officer Hunter said the victim became "furious" when another police car
pulled up to the house. At this time he struck the match. Hunter's supervisor, Sergeant Rick
Fisher, arrived just beforehand. "I saw the fire explode in the front door," Fisher said.
Sergeant Fisher watched Officer Hunter enter the house into the fire, grab the victim and
jerk him out of the house. Hunter pulled the victim down and rolled him on the ground,
extinguishing the flames before he was injured. Hunter has been a Monroe police Officer for
almost two years.
March 25, 1992
Officers of the Monroe Police Department are undergoing training at Woodland Hills
Hospital in an effort to increase their use of teamwork by using the Challenge Ropes Course, a
series of obstacles that require cooperation to complete. The course is not designed to be a
physical obstacle course but requires the participants to attain a goal which is usually a few steps
out of reach of just one person. The exercises focus on problem-solving to build the group's
teamwork, cohesiveness, trust and communication. In all, 142 officers and 28 other police
personnel will attend the two day exercise over the next few months.
April 10, 1992
Chief Willie Buffington announced Thursday he was retiring to become a Vice-President
of First American Bank and Trust Company. Chief Buffington joined the department in
December 1969 and became Chief of Police in October 1976. He will retire on August 1, 1992,
April 15, 1992
Assistant Chief of Police Willis Warner will be the department's Interim Chief until a
permanent Chief of Police is appointed this fall to replace Chief Buffington. Captain Warren
Brown was appointed to assume the responsibilities of the Administrative Assistant to the Chief
of Police. Captain Brown is assigned to the third shift and plans to move into Warner's old office.
April 20, 1992
Monroe Police spent most of Sunday moving about $8,000.00 worth of liquor into the
evidence room after raiding a southern home and charging a 65 year old man with selling liquor
illegally. The suspect was arrested after police received a tip he was selling liquor at his
residence. Police gave a confidential informant money to go to the suspect's house and try and
buy alcohol. The informant returned with a forty ounce bottle of Colt 45, Monroe Sergeant
Charles Huggins said.
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May 14, 1992
Monroe Judge Larry Jefferson threw out Monroe's Juvenile Curfew Law. Judge Jefferson
ruled the law was unconstitutional. City Attorney Carl Sharp said the city can appeal Jefferson's
ruling, re-write the law to Jefferson's specifications or do nothing about the ruling.
May 20, 1992
Corporal George Bucko was one of 140 Monroe Officers to take a fitness test this week
as part of the department's new fitness-testing policy. Officers receive vital signs, blood, hearing
and pulmonary tests along with a complete physical.
June 10, 1992
A three and a half year veteran of the Monroe Police Department captured six top awards
last week in a three state competition in Longview, Texas. Seven year old Ricky beat 29 other
competitors to win the top dog plaque at the United States Police Canine Association's regional
competitions. Ricky, a Belgian Malinois, captured two other top plaques, three gold medallions
and a silver medallion during the drug dog competition. Corporal Doug Tarver, Ricky's handler,
treated Ricky to a steak dinner for his wins.
August 2, 1992
Four Monroe women were arrested Saturday night by Monroe Police Reserve Officers
after they allegedly offered the officers sex for money. Monroe Police Sergeant Frank Brice said
the arrests stemmed from a brief undercover operation by the volunteer officers. The undercover
operation occurred between the 700 and 1100 blocks of DeSiard Street and Adams Street area.
Brice said the women flagged down the officers as they drove down the street; the
women offered them varied sex acts for prices ranging from $7.00 to $30.00. After the women
and officers agreed upon a price the women got into the cars and were taken to nearby police
cars.
A man flagged down the officers and offered to sell them a rock of crack cocaine for five
dollars. The sale was made and the man was arrested.
August 21, 1992
Mayor Bob Powell announced Thursday the appointment of Sergeant Joe Stewart as
Monroe's next Chief of Police. Sergeant Stewart joined the department in 1974 and will take
over as Chief of Police on September 1, 1992.
"Wholesale changes are not needed," Stewart said, "I do believe for the chief to know what's
going on in the department, he must be an active part of that department. You can't sit in an
office from 8:00 to 5:00 every day and know what's going on at 2:00 A.M."
Chief Joe Stewart was sworn into office Tuesday night, September 1, 1992, by Judge Larry
Lolley.
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November 11, 1992
The Sixteenth Annual Supervisor and Officer of the Year Banquet was held Tuesday
night. Lieutenant William "Ricky" Peel, a twenty-one year veteran, was named Supervisor of
the Year. Peel is assigned to the second shift and won the award last year.
Corporal John Bradford, a twelve year veteran, was selected as the Officer of the Year.
Bradford, assigned to the first shift, also won the award in 1990.
Employee Appreciation Award went to Beverly Stewart, a six year veteran assigned to
the Training Division.
Best Dressed Officer Award went to Michael J. Harp, one year veteran assigned to the
first shift.
Best Dressed Detective Award went to Gaye Davis, a fifteen year veteran. When Chief
Joe Stewart called Detective Gaye Davis up to present her with the Best Dressed Detective
Award, he also announced she was being promoted to sergeant. Sergeant Davis became the first
woman to be promoted to the rank of sergeant.
Officer Euckle Hunter, a two year veteran, was awarded the first Medal of Valor. Officer
Hunter saved a man's life after the man doused himself with gasoline, then set himself on fire.
Officer Hunter pulled the man out of the house and put out the flames.
November 15, 1992
Chief Joe Stewart is keeping some of the promises he made to City Council members
after his confirmation in August. He told the members he would put more patrol officers on the
streets with the existing staff, hire more minorities, beef up training and work to improve race
relations between the department and the black community. He has implemented an investigation
follow-up system, developed the concept of assigning officers to designated neighborhoods and
tried to disprove "some misconceptions" the public might have about the department.
"Anything that we find that is not working that we can change, we are going to change
it," he said. "We can't make them all overnight and we can't make them all at one time."
April 2, 1993
Retired Monroe Police Captain Harry Petty observed two white males walk across the
street in the 900 block of North McGuire Street and go between his house and a neighbor's
house. Captain Petty called to the two men and they started running and jumped over his fence.
At this time he jumped into his vehicle and called the Monroe Police Department on his car
phone. Petty advised the dispatcher he had two suspects he was following and needed a police
officer. Captain Petty also advised the two suspects were white males and did not have on a shirt.
Officer Mac Anderson was already enroute to the area in reference to a reported robbery. He was
advised Captain Petty was following two suspects that had run from the area of the robbery.
With the help of Captain Petty, Officer Anderson was able to apprehend the two suspects. It was
later found the two suspects had attacked a victim on Northeast Drive and robbed him of $36.00.
The two suspects were booked for simple robbery and the money was recovered.
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June 3, 1993
Officers John Pipes and Bobby Crump received a call to investigate a suspicious person
on Indian Mound. Upon arrival Officer Pipes observed a young white male chasing an older
white male with a four foot pitchfork. Officer Pipes told the young white male to drop the
pitchfork. At this time the white male started charging Officer Pipes with the pitchfork. Pipes
started backing around his vehicle and the white male broke out a rear door glass of the police
unit. Sergeant Tom Medley, Officers Doug Tarver and Gary Telano arrived to help get the white
male under control. The white male was arrested for aggravated assault on a police officer and
damage to property.
June 3, 1993
While on patrol Officer William "Doug" Tarver observed a vehicle near Lowery and
Blanks Streets. Officer Tarver ran a license check on the vehicle and found it had been reported
stolen. Officer Billy Powell arrived to assist and both officers tried to stop the vehicle but the
driver would not stop. The driver fired several shots at the police units and hit both vehicles.
The driver led the police units on a high speed chase going east on Highway 80 traveling
at speeds over 100 miles an hour. Officer Tarver radioed for assistance and Richland Parish
Sheriff's Department set up a road block.
With the help of Richland Parish Sheriff's Department and Louisiana State Police, the
officers were able to stop the vehicle. The driver was arrested for attempted first degree murder,
felony theft, negligent driving and no driver's license. Bond was set at $307,900.00.
June 4, 1993
The following list is the names of all the employees with the Monroe Police Department as of
this date:
Officers
Lieutenant Leon Price
Lieutenant Karl Deen
Lieutenant Larry Martin
Lieutenant William Peel
Lieutenant Marvin Dearman
Lieutenant Herbert Otwell
Lieutenant Francis Bougere
Sergeant Charles Huggins
Sergeant Kazmier "Ski" Wawrzyniak
Sergeant Billy Kemp
Sergeant Franklin Brice
Sergeant James Gregory
Sergeant Lionel Mosby
Sergeant Thomas Medley
Sergeant Robert Biggers
Sergeant Donald "Pat" Stewart
Chief Joe Stewart
Major Donald Hill
Major Raymond Clary
Major Don McClanahan
Captain Lloyd Parker
Captain Henry Poulan
Captain John Oxley
Captain Thomas Jones
Captain Charles Tullos
Captain Warren Brown
Captain James Zambie
Captain James Weems
Captain Frank Shavers
Lieutenant Charles Hill
Lieutenant Danny Miller
Lieutenant Robert Crocker
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Corporal Lawrence "Larry" Linson
Corporal Larry "Smoke" Matthews
Corporal Eugene Ellis
Corporal Ronnie Britton
Corporal Vince Hodnett
Corporal Louis "Keith" Berry
Corporal Barbara Blunt
Corporal Susan Herring
Corporal Cassandra Smith
Corporal Stephen Newcomb
Officer David Huckabay
Officer Jeffery Pilcher
Officer Mary Ann McElroy
Officer Kenneth Hancock
Officer Melanie Hobbs
Officer William Miletello
Officer Kurt Manasco
Officer John Aplin
Officer Roderick Jackson
Officer Marti Glass
Officer Freddy Mercer
Officer Arthur Graves
Officer Bobby Crump
Officer Isaac Gayden
Officer Euckle Hunter
Officer Mitchell Hobbs
Officer Alice Sellers
Officer William Kettler
Officer Jessie Jenkins
Officer Vincent Guiterrez
Officer Vern Breland
Officer James Willis
Officer Billy Jordan
Officer Robert Bice
Officer Mark Little
Officer Kenenth Miles
Officer James Marlow
Officer James Clark
Officer Paul Brown
Officer Thomas Hudson
Officer Michael Harp
Officer Jeffery Sanders
Officer Robert Avery
Officer Glenn Kramel
Officer Jason Carter
Officer Nicholas Britton
Sergeant Richard Fisher
Sergeant Alford Cherry
Sergeant William Causey
Sergeant David Harris
Sergeant Gaye Barnes
Sergeant Michael Walker.
Sergeant William Willis
Sergeant James Fried
Corporal George "Tom" Torregrossa
Corporal Judy Humble
Corporal Richard Jones
Corporal Kirk Petterson
Corporal Kerry Black
Corporal Ronald Schleuter
Corporal John Bradford
Corporal George Bucko
Corporal Cathy Cherry
Corporal Carol Andrews
Corporal Cameron Douglas
Corporal Edmond "Hank" Smith
Corporal Melvin Burrows
Corporal Jimmy Crockett
Corporal Evelyn Robinson
Corporal Bert Morales
Corporal Larry Buford
Corporal Karen Hillhouse
Corporal John Pipes
Corporal Bobby Boyter
Corporal Edward "Tom" Waggoner
Corporal James Tramble
Corporal Zachary Guillory
Corporal Billy Powell
Corporal Richard Fuller
Corporal David Auger
Corporal Virgil Parker
Corporal Dennis "Jeff" Harris
Corporal Mac Anderson
Corporal Roger "Keith" Kimball
Corporal Gary Telano
Corporal Robert Webb
Corporal Daniel Pringle
Corporal William Webb
Corporal Phillip Stansell
Corporal Paul Harper
Corporal William "Doug" Tarver
Corporal Roy Brown
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Officer Mark Johnson
Officer Wayne Rhodes
Officer John Wyles
Officer Albert Edmiston
Officer James "Jay" Nelson, III
Officer Eugene Lumpkins
Officer Brant Heath
Officer Victor Zordan
Officer Larry Wilson
Officer Rosemary Turner
Officer Jerry Ellerman
Officer Keisha Stacy
Officer Jerry Melton
Officer Mark Nappier
Officer Jeffery Black
Officer Johnny Sullivan
Officer Dwain Moore
Officer Anthony Williams
Officer William "Freddie"
Officer Arnold Joseph Smith
Officer Todd Crockett
Officer Thomas Gill
Officer Roy Harrison
Officer Thomas Staten
Officer Exlena Thompson
Officer Vincent Brown
Officer Triche Passman
Officer Charles Roark
Officer Rita McCormick
Officer Albert Kemper
Officer Adron "Scott" Ferguson
COMMUNICATIONS OFFICERS
Recie King
Sandra Walker
Barbara Harper
Jennifer Wilson
Sandra Smith
Sharounda Highshaw
Cheryl Sears
Madeline Norwood
Debbie Anderson
Sean Reddick
Felicia Williams
Sharon Tillman
SECRETARY TO THE CHIEF
Linda Durr
RECORDS CLERKS
Diane Dofford
Mary Ann Welch
Patricia Smith
Carol Tarver
Cathy Harris
Susan Savage
Helen Powell
Beverly Stewart
Barbara May
Cynthia Sanders
Tammy Buford
April "Dawn" Eldridge
Lois "L.A." Piercy
Rebecca Freeman
Loretta Tyson
Brenda Ardito
Dianne Moore
Kecia Hamilton
Gloria Young
Melisa Sammons
Melinda Lively
Rita Slakter
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JAILERS
Charles Johnikin
Linda Johnson
Catherine Perm
Sandra Reed
Carolyn Jefferson
Carol Hines
Richard "Bubba" Fredricks
Keith Joyner
Terrenes Lewis
Natasha Belt
DWI PROBATION
Hazel Ray
Charlie Sowell
Edmond "E.W." Smith
David Antley
CUSTODIAN
Clarence Bradford
Joseph "Tyrone" Sharp
METER OFFICERS
Judy Thomas
Sandra Johnson
ANIMAL CONTROL
Lawrence Ellis
Dianne Wallace
Roosevelt Bluford
CIVILIAN PERSONNEL
Personnel: George Trousdale
Clerk: James "Charlie" Knox
Evidence: Limon Simon
Fingerprint Heather Scott
BITS AND PIECES
A colorful early police officer was Tom McElwee, described as a fearless gunman who
enforced the law much in the same fashion of the old western law officers. He is described as a
tall, rather handsome man with a long scar along his left cheek from his forehead to his chin. He
wore two guns.
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On March 30, 1914, a prisoner attempted to escape from the parish jail. The prisoner had
gotten an iron pipe and a bottle of acid which he used on Deputy Sheriff Arthur Grant in his
attempt to escape. Officer McElwee arrived and heard the commotion and looked into the
window, saw what was happening and fired one shot. The shot hit the prisoner in the head and
killed him.
None of Officer McElwee’s shootings were so well remembered as the gunfight at the
Arlington Saloon on September 18, 1913.
On that day G. W. McCormick, partner with Jack W. Smith of the Arlington Saloon
located on DeSiard Street facing Jackson Street, became angered at his partner and shot Smith
with a load of buckshot. Monroe police officers arrived and Officer Frank Pettit saw Smith fall in
the doorway. Officer Pettit pulled the wounded man from the line of fire. Smith bled to death
before medical attention could be received.
While officers surrounded the saloon, McCormick stood behind the bar with a shotgun.
Officer Tom McElwee arrived and boldly walked through the front door into the saloon with no
regard for his own safety. McCormick swung the Winchester shotgun loaded with buckshot in
line with the officer but before he could pull the trigger, McElwee made a lightning draw and
fired two shots in rapid succession from his pistol. Both shots hit McCormick in the heart. He
died without firing at the officer. During the 1918 influenza epidemic, Officer McElwee became
ill and died.
Until 1915 Monroe police officers did not have a headquarters at City Hall where they
could brief before going on duty. Will Atkinson, former City Councilman, operated a cafe
between 1905 to 1916 at the old Market House, corner of DeSiard and Catalpa Streets where
People's Homestead building is located.
This was the dividing line between the east and west beats and most policemen at that
time made Atkinson's establishment their base of operations.
Atkinson also gave all policemen a monthly meal ticket for $2.50. The officers ate all
they wanted at Will's and if their ticket was used up before the month was out they all ate "on the
house."
A saloon at 101 North Grand and another saloon at DeSiard and Sixth Streets were
described more or less as sub stations until a permanent headquarters was established in 1915.
During the days of no headquarters all officers had keys to the city jail. The night officers had to
jail and book their prisoners. After locking up their prisoners the night officers had to proceed to
City Court where a ledger was available on the judge's stand. The officer would make a notation
of the arrest, the name, the charge and list the property taken from the prisoner. Any property
taken from a prisoner at night was carried around in the officer's pocket until the day officer
relieved him. At this time the property was taken by the day officer and he saw that the property
was put in a safe place until the prisoner was released.
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July 1, 1993
The following is a list of the members of the Monroe Police Reserves. The coordinator is
Major Ray Clary and the Assistant Coordinator is Captain Lloyd Parker.
Officer Harry Cain
Officer John Drew
Officer Lynn Lee
Officer Dana Mallet
Officer Glenn Robinson
Officer Jack Beasley
Officer Virgil Abshier
Officer Lee Turnage
Officer Kirk Clark
Officer William McConkey
Officer Chuck Brown
Officer Lance Hauth
Officer Ricky Metz
Officer Mike Bellissimo
Officer Roy Cox
Officer Paul Richardson
Officer Shelby Rowe
Officer Eric Struben
Officer Greg Taylor
Major Luke Gordon
Captain Martin Evans
Captain John Cicero
Captain Bob West
Captain Arnold Moore
Captain Ed Lee
Lieutenant Ben Dillingham
Lieutenant Jim Renfro
Lieutenant Reese London
Lieutenant Frank Nettles
Lieutenant John Chisholm
Sergeant Jiles Davis
Sergeant Joe Castagnetta
Sergeant Jerry Hodge
Sergeant Dennis Reynolds
Sergeant Ted Kincannon
Officer Tom Fields
Officer Maxey Renfrew
Officer Jimmy Finch
Officer Bryant Nelson
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