Two city employees appear to be doing chin ups on the muscular arms of Lee York during the Civil Service Examination for city patrolmen. Eighty job seekers undertook the rigorous testing to become Tacoma's finest. Those passing the physical tests would undergo further mental evaluation. (TTimes 11/29/1940 p.3)

Police--Tacoma--1940-1950; York, Lee;

Mayor Cain assists in keeping score as men are being given the physical fitness portion of the Civil Service Examination for Tacoma City Police Patrolmen at the Tacoma YMCA. The men are, left to right, John Williscroft, Fred Stephenson, Al Ziegler, Tony Zatkovich (kneeling), Mayor Harry P. Cain, Harold Keller (aiding in giving the exam), Herman Williamson (taking weight lifting exam) and Sgt. E.D. Cornelison. (T. Times 11/29/1940, pg. 3)

Police--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On March 24, 1941 Officer John Hickey, behind the wheel of the Tacoma Police department's new "sound" equipped patrol car, warned two absentminded pedestrians that they were about to step into danger - and break the law. To launch the Tacoma Junior Chamber of Commerce sponsored spring traffic safety week campaign, the specially equipped car cruised the streets of Tacoma warning both pedestrians and drivers of their impending violations. Reading the paper are: (l to r) George Wilson, chairman of the Junior Chamber of Commerce safety drive, and Bill Geppert. (T.Times 3/26/1941 p.15)

Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma); Hickey, John; Wilson, George; Geppert, Bill; Junior Chamber of Commerce (Tacoma);

The uniformed graduating class of Federal Protective Officers posed for a group portrait on April 16, 1971, at Fort Lewis. The United States Federal Protective Service was formally established in 1971 as a law enforcement organization within the U.S. General Services Administration. Its duty was to protect the federal communities controlled by GSA nationally, including federal employees, visitors and billions of dollars in assets. In 1971, total employment of Federal Protective Officers exceeded 4500. Photograph ordered by General Services Administration, Auburn. (www/house.gov/transportation/pbed/09-06-01/09/06/01memo.html- article)

Law enforcement officers;

Joyce Atkins, Evalu Clevenger, and Shirley Williams (l to r), the drum majorettes for the Lincoln High School marching band, were photographed sitting on the handle bars of three Tacoma Police Dept. motorcycles on February 11, 1944. They are flanked by four unidentified policemen. The Lynx Majorettes and the Stadium H.S. Tigerannas led the combined Lincoln and Stadium bands when Wendell Willkie visited Tacoma to address the Pierce County Republican Club at their 1944 Lincoln Day dinner. (Lincolnian, 1944 p.72)

Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma); Police--Tacoma--1940-1950; Motorcycles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Drum majorettes--Tacoma--1940-1950; Atkins, Joyce; Clevenger, Evalu; Williams, Shirley; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On June 3, 1944, 459 members of Tacoma's Schoolboy Patrol were the guests of the Tacoma Police Department at a picnic held at Point Defiance Park. During the school year, the boys directed traffic around the schools, making sure that students made it safely to classes. At the picnic, they directed the celebration of Public Safety Commissioner Einar Langseth's birthday by lining up to give him a good luck birthday swat. Commissioner Langseth, bending over on lower right side, replied that he was not nearly as old as the 459 swats he received. (T. Times, 6/5/44, p. 2).

Police--Tacoma; Picnics--Tacoma; Langseth, Einar, 1892-1968;

On Wednesday July 3, 1946, Frank Casey (left), a Tacoma Fabricating Company millworker, found a large military flare which had washed ashore in the Old Town area of Tacoma. Not sure whether it was a flare, or a bomb, Casey called the Tacoma police. Officer Frank Pim (rt) was dispatched to the scene. Later, a demolition team from Ft. Lewis disarmed the flare, which had been removed from the protective casing, held by officer Pim, by children. Had the children pulled the flare's safety pin, they could have been seriously injured. (T. Times, 7/4/46, p. 11).

Police--Tacoma; Signals & signaling--Tacoma; Explosives; Tacoma Fabricating Co. (Tacoma);

West Disinfecting Company. The section at the lower, right-hand corner states, "Bob Palling, West Representative, demonstrates to Officer Dan Johnson the method of using Westamine Disinfectant, now used daily on all mobile equipment of Tacoma Police Department". The doors of the garage are open. One police vehicle is pointing out towards the street. The other has its back doors open where the demonstration is taking place. TPL-6673

Police--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Chemicals--Tacoma--1940-1950; Teaching; Johnson, Dan; Palling, Bob;

Tacoma Police Department. Ten dignitaries, attending the graduation services for 37 police officers, stand on the stage at Stadium High School.

Police--Tacoma--1940-1950; Law enforcement training--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma); Stadium High School (Tacoma); Stages (Platforms);

During the summer of 1946, while Tacoma's school age children were on vacation, a group of police candidates were taking classes at Stadium High School. At the end of August, 37 of the candidates received diplomas and were declared full-fledged members of the Tacoma Police Department. Attending the graduation were a number of veterans of the Tacoma and Seattle police departments including: Police Captain A.E. Farrar, third from the left in the front row; Police Chief P.G. Gregg, in a dark suit and white hat; Safety Commissioner R.S. Temme, in light colored suit and "skimmer"; and Seattle Police Captain Emile Vallet, next to Temme. Others names are listed in Tacoma Times. (T.Times, 9/4/1946, p.16.)

Police--Tacoma--1940-1950; Law enforcement training--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma); Stadium High School (Tacoma); Portraits; Graduation ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

In December 1946, 41 men graduated from the Washington State Patrol training camp, 770 men submitted applications, 45 men were selected to go through training, but only 41 completed the program. Washington State Patrol had recently gone through program budget cuts and an increase in duties, which were made by the last Legislature. The agency was hoping that this year's elections would increase program funds. View of Washington State Patrolman.

Law enforcement officers--Tacoma; Uniforms; Law enforcement--Tacoma; Offices--Tacoma--1940-1950; Washington State Patrol (Tacoma);

Herbert Algeo was the Chief of the Washington State Patrol during this time. The State Patrol had many responsibilities including: speed monitoring, first aid safety, weight control units to help prevent damage to roads, accident prevention and many other duties. The organization was formed in 1921. View of Washington State Patrolmen with first aid supplies, outside of the Vehicle Safety Inspection center. TPL-6674

Law enforcement officers--Tacoma; First aid--Tacoma; Law enforcement--Tacoma; Uniforms; Washington State Patrol (Tacoma);

Safety Award being presented in Mayor Val Fawcett's office to Police Department and other city departments by the American Automobile Association. The Pedestrian Protection Award was presented to the Tacoma Police Department and citizens for their reduction in pedestrian accidents. (T.Times, 6/24/1947, p.3)

Police--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma); Safety; Accidents; American Automobile Association (Tacoma); Awards; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Safety Award being presented in Mayor's office to Police Department and other city departments, AAA Pedestrian Protection award. Tacoma won a National Safety Plaque by the Automobile Association of America in recognition of the work done by Tacoma police and citizens to reduce pedestrian accidents. Tacoma was given third place in cities with populations from 100,000 to 500,000. (T.Times, 6/24/1947, p.3)

Police--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma); Safety; Accidents; American Automobile Association (Tacoma); Awards;

Harold J. O'Brien of Algona, Washington was killed on Christmas Day, when his car was sideswiped by a truck. The accident occurred about 800 feet south of the King-Pierce County line on Edgewood Road. O'Brien's neck was broken with the impact, killing his instantly. O'Brien's mother, brother and sister-in-law were also in the vehicle, they did not suffer any injuries. State Patrolmen reported O'Brien was driving 1-1/2 feet over the center line. View of State Patrolmen carrying away the body (T. Times, 12/26/47, p. 3).

Law enforcement officers--Tacoma; Traffic accidents--Tacoma; Litters; Emergency medical services--Tacoma; Rescue work--Tacoma; Wounds & injuries--Tacoma; Victims--Tacoma; Washington State Patrol (Tacoma); O'Brien, Harold J.--Death & burial;

Tacoma-Pierce County Blood Bank was located on 726-28 Saint Helens Avenue in downtown Tacoma. The center opened in July 1946, in 1947 they were receiving blood donations for industrial plants throughout Tacoma. View of prisoner donating blood at Pierce County Jail, the jail was located on the first floor of the building; nurse from Tacoma-Pierce County Blood Bank is helping the patient with the donation.

Prisoners--Tacoma; Prisons--Tacoma; Blood donations--Tacoma; Medical equipment & supplies; Blood; Nurses--Tacoma; Pierce County Jail (Tacoma); Tacoma-Pierce County Blood Bank (Tacoma);

Garnet J. Cratsenberg was a police officer for the Tacoma Police Department. Cratsenberg lived at the Florence Apartments located at 414 Tacoma Avenue South, apartment 4. Garnet is wearing a houndstooth check jacket, tie and white shirt.

Police--Tacoma; Portraits; Portrait photographs; Posing; Men--Clothing & dress--Tacoma; Cratsenberg, Garnet J.;

Police Desk Sergeant, Art Gilbo, dispatched Tacoma Police Department's detectives and patrolmen when he received a call that Puget Sound National Bank was being robbed in December of 1948. Detective Lesnick and Policeman Hager apprehended Donald Anderson while he was attempting to rob the bank of $20,000. Law enforcement officials also found a kidnapping note in Anderson's pocket, this matter is under investigation by the FBI. Left to right, Detective Walter Lesnick, Patrolman George Hager, Donald Charles Anderson, Detective Jack Thore, and Jailer Don Hutt (T. Times, 12/23/48, p. 1). TPL-9071

Detectives--Tacoma; Investigation--Tacoma; Criminals--Tacoma; Robberies--Tacoma; Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma); Anderson, Donald Charles--Capture & imprisonment; Lesnick, Walter; Hager, George; Thore, Jack; Hutt, Don;

Pierce Country's new detention home, Hillcrest, was built in a joint effort by the Pierce County and Washington State governments. Pierce County furnished the site and half of the money, the State provided the other half of the money; the building cost approximately $285,000 to build. Interior view of one of the classrooms in the new Hillcrest Detention facilities for Pierce County, located on Sixth Avenue and Pearl Street. The structure has modern school rooms, which will have tables and benches instead of desks; a vocational work room will be located by the classrooms (T. Times, 1/2/49, p. 9).

Detention facilities--Tacoma; Justice facilities--Tacoma; Juvenile delinquents--Tacoma; Reformatories--Tacoma; Classrooms--Tacoma; County government--Tacoma; Hillcrest Detention Home (Tacoma); Remann Hall (Tacoma);

Hillcrest detention center is a brick, fireproof building, the inside is made of concrete and steel, with a modern steel kitchen, classrooms and court rooms. The building was initially designed by Rueger and Rueger in 1944, building did not begin until May 1947. Judge Fred G. Remann has been watching the building progress, and is ready to move in and get to work; Judge Remann handles the juvenile cases. Exterior view of the new Hillcrest Detention facilities for Pierce County, located on Sixth Avenue and Pearl Street (T. Times, 1/2/49, p. 9).

Detention facilities--Tacoma; Justice facilities--Tacoma; Juvenile delinquents--Tacoma; Reformatories--Tacoma; County government--Tacoma; Hillcrest Detention Home (Tacoma); Remann Hall (Tacoma);

The City of Tacoma's off duty Police officers were taking a short break to celebrate Christmas and the holiday season with the Police Chief. The Tacoma Police Department had recently increased the size of their motorcycle cops unit. View of Tacoma Police Chief, Robert C. Marshall (left) and unidentified man, who is presenting a "Merry Christmas Chief Marshall" and "Better Known as Little Napoleon the Slave-Driver Superb" poster to him.

Police--Tacoma; Christmas--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Municipal officials--Tacoma; Law enforcement--Tacoma; Marshall, Robert C.; Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma);

The City of Tacoma's off duty Police officers were taking a short break to celebrate Christmas and the holiday season with the Police Chief. The Tacoma Police Department had recently increased the size of their motorcycle cops unit. View of Tacoma Police Chief, Robert C. Marshall (center) surrounded by his policemen; the police officers are wearing leather jackets and boots, they are likely the motorcycle unit.

Police--Tacoma; Christmas--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Municipal officials--Tacoma; Law enforcement--Tacoma; Marshall, Robert C.; Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma);

Tacoma's police department just bought a new modern and well equipped ambulance; the department is now properly training the police ambulance staff. View of George Paul, former police ambulance driver in stretcher, Wilson Miller, police ambulance conductor putting the stretcher in the vehicle, Jesse Eastman, in charge of the police garage is in the ambulance, R. V. Larsen, police ambulance driver, and Arthur Gilbo, former police ambulance driver, both looking on (T. Times, 1/9/49, p. 36).

Police--Tacoma--1940-1950; Litters; Law enforcement--Tacoma; Emergency medical services--Tacoma; Ambulances--Tacoma; Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma); Paul, George; Miller, Wilson; Eastman, Jesse; Larsen, R.V.; Gilbo, Arthur;

View of Dr. William Mattson residence, Hill and Mock, Architects, Nelson J. Morrison, designer, circa 1925. Photograph ordered by the Seattle Star. On December 27, 1936, on a night characterized by heavy darkness and fitful showers, a masked intruder forced his way into a rear entrance of the Mattson residence and abducted ten year old Charles. Charles, his brother William, 16, sister Muriel, 14, and family friend Virginia Chatfield, 14, of Seattle had been in the front room watching motorists drive up to view the enormous evergreens lit up like Christmas trees on the Mattson front lawn. The intruder carried 70 pound Charles down a steep cliff behind the home that led to Ruston Way and the waterfront. He left behind a ransom note demanding $28,000 dollars. A previous kidnapping attempt had been made in November of 1936 only two blocks away; as a prowler placed a ladder to a second floor window in an attempt to abduct the 6 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. George Franklin. The Franklins had purchased "Haddaway Hall, " the home of John Philip Weyerhaeuser Sr. at 4301 No. Stevens. The attempt was foiled when Mrs. Franklin was awakened by the beam of a flashlight. No fewer than 12 high profile kidnappings had occurred nationally since the 1934 kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby. Like in the Lindbergh case, Charles Mattson was found murdered. His murder was never solved. (T.Times 12/28/1936- 1/25/1937)

Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Houses--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mattson, William--Homes & haunts; Mattson, Charles--Homes & haunts; Mattson, Charles--Kidnappings;

Mattson kidnapping case. Bluff behind the home of Dr. William Mattson at 4605 No. Verde. On December 27, 1936, a masked gunman abducted ten year old Charles Mattson from his home. It is believed that he carried the boy down this steep cliff to a waiting car on Ruston Way. A ransom of $28,000 was demanded for the boy's safe return. The note was typed in purple ink on a child's typing set. All communications with the kidnapper were to be made through classified ads in the Seattle Times. Newspapers from across the nation publicized every event in the case. Within 48 hours, the Northwest was hit with frigid temperatures and record snowfall. Concern grew for the lightly clad boy who was recovering from a severe cold. The days dragged on as the frantic Mattsons attempted to contact the kidnapper. The body of the boy was found in a snowbank in a wooded area near Everett on January 10, 1937. He had been dead for 5-6 days. His murderer was never found. (T. Times 12/28/1936 - 1/25/1937, pg. 1)

Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mattson, Charles--Kidnappings;

Charles Mattson kidnapping case. Hillside bluff below the Mattson home; photograph ordered by the Seattle Star. On December 27, 1936, while his parents attended a social function, Charles Mattson was snatched from his home at 4605 No. Verde, in the view of his brother, sister and a family friend, by an armed and masked man who forced his way through a rear door of the house. The masked intruder carried him bodily down the steep cliff behind the Mattson house. At daybreak, the FBI and Tacoma police swarmed the deep gully at the base of Verde Street on Ruston Way, adjacent to the waterfront, looking for clues. (T. Times 12/28/1936- 1/25/1937, pg. 1)

Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mattson, Charles--Kidnappings;

Mattson kidnapping case. Two boys standing on a path leading up the hillside below the Mattson home. Photograph ordered by the Seattle Star. On a peaceful post-Christmas night in 1936, the Mattson children and a family friend were watching area motorists drive up to view the Christmas light display in the front yard of the Mattson home at 4605 No. Verde. An armed and masked man broke in through a rear entrance of the home and seized Charles Mattson, the smallest of the group of children. He left a ransom note for $28,000. He then, it is believed, carried Charles down this path behind the Mattson home, down a steep bluff to Ruston Way and a waiting get away car driven by an accomplice. (T. Times 12/28/1936 - 1/25/1937, pg. 1)

Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mattson, Charles--Kidnappings;

Mattson kidnapping case. View from Ruston Way of hillside below the Mattson home. Two boys are standing on the edge of the bluff. Photograph ordered by the Seattle Star. On the evening of December 27, 1936 at around 9 p.m., a masked gunman forced his way into the Mattson home at 4605 No. Verde and snatched ten year old Charles Mattson. The intruder carried the 70 pound boy down the steep cliff behind the home, across the railroad tracks and it is believed to a waiting accomplice and get away car on Ruston Way. The boy's battered body was recovered January 10, 1937 near Everett. The demanded $28,000 ransom was never paid and the boy's murderer was never apprehended. (T. Times 12/28/1936 - 1/25/1937, pg. 1)

Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mattson, Charles--Kidnappings;

Mattson kidnapping case. View of Ruston Way and Commencement Bay from hillside below the Mattson home. On December 27, 1936, an armed intruder abducted ten year old Charles Mattson from his parents' home at 4605 No. Verde. He then carried the boy down the steep cliff behind the home leading to Ruston Way and the waterfront. A ransom note was left behind at the crime scene, demanding $28,000. Up to this point, no less than 12 well publicized kidnappings had occurred since the 1934 kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby. The previous year, 1935, young George Weyerhaeuser had been kidnapped and returned following payment of the ransom. Charles Mattson was murdered and his body dumped in a wooded area 200 feet off of the Edmonds-Everett Highway, 6 miles south of Everett. Despite an extensive manhunt, and numerous suspects, his murderer was never found. (T. Times 12/28/1936- 1/25, 1937, pg. 1)

Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mattson, Charles--Kidnappings;

Mattson kidnapping case, marina showing boat houses and boats. Telephone and power lines in the background. Photograph ordered by the Seattle Star. On the evening of December 27, 1936, Charles Mattson was abducted from his home at 4605 No. Verde by a masked gunman in full view of his older brother, sister and family friend. Because the teens did not hear a car pull away, it is believed that the intruder carried the boy down a path at the rear of the house that winds down a steep embankment to a wooded gulch below. He would then escape by car on Ruston Way or by boat at the waterfront. The gunman demanded a $28,000 ransom for the boy's return. As days passed, subsequent communications by the kidnapper were confusing and conflicting. The frantic parents were unable to get clear instructions on how to deliver the ransom. The boy's body was found near Everett on January 10, 1937; he had been dead 5-6 days. The kidnapper had made ransom demands even after he had murdered the boy. A massive manhunt turned up many suspects, but no one was indicted in connection with the murder. The story slipped from the front page on January 26, 1937 as leads began to peter out. (T. Times 12/28/1936 - 1/25/1937, pg. 1)

Waterfronts--Tacoma--1930-1940; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1930-1940; Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mattson, Charles--Kidnappings;