SigMT

Police Department At the Great Falls Police Station entrance are two globe lights with the printed words "Police." A gi from the 2014 Citizen's Academy graduates, these vintage-styled lights are a reminder of the Great Falls Police Department's 130-year tradition of protecting city residents. Before Great Falls was incorporated, a deputy sheriff was the town's law enforcement officer. When the city was incorporated in 1888, a police department was created. In the beginning it was manned by two people: A police magistrate/police chief and one policeman. In the department's history, 23 men have served as chief. Robert Jones (1986-2006) tied with Harold Mady (1937-1957) for serving the longest in that administrative position. e police department has been in at least three locations over the years. First the county jail was used, but in the 1890's the city built its own building housing the police headquarters, fire station, and city offices at Second Avenue South between ird and Fourth Streets. en they moved to a new building at 425 Second Avenue South in 1914. In 1975 the police department was relocated to a remodeled warehouse building just off Park Drive at First Avenue South. Until 2013 the 911 dispatch facility was housed at the police department with several additions of new equipment over the years. Since then it has been located on Gore Hill and serves to dispatch county and city fire units, sheriff deputies, and city police. Like location, uniforms have evolved over the years. e two men who first worked in the police department did not have uniforms. ey wore everyday clothes and hung a six-shooter on their side. In the mid-1890's the police began wearing uniforms. For years their uniforms were a "Texaco green," and then the color was changed to blue starting in 1953 and have been variations of blue since then. Officers have been severely wounded over the years. ree have been shot and lost their lives. In 1898, a long-time police officer, Luke Curry, was accidently killed by a business proprietor when Curry was checking locks on business doors. On August 2, 1920, Frank H. Connolly was killed by holdup men who were never apprehended, and Shane Chadwick in 1994 was killed behind an apartment building by an individual nicknamed the "birdman." In 1895 C.P. Downing was on duty when he misunderstood a warning and stepped back into the way of a moving trolley dragging him for some distance. His leg was broken, and a few weeks later he died of what was likely an infection. SiG MT 61 We don't think of the Police and Fire Rescue Departments until we need them. Both Great Falls' departments have a fascinating history of evolving as the city grew. Police Department displays its patrol fleet. 60 months same as cash 0% nancing No minimum payment CLOSEOUT 2018 MODEL $1000 OFF 406.452.8430 1205 Central Avenue Great Falls, MT 59401 on remaining in stock spas www.allseasonspasandstoves.net

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