Law Enforcement Through the Years
The history of the Salisbury Police Department is relatively short, compared to how long Salisbury has been in existence. Before 1881, the county sheriff handled all the legal problems. When Salisbury was incorporated, the bailiff for the sheriff at the jail was also the tax collector, clerk and police officer. The first person hired for additional “police” duties was hired in 1881 and was called a night patrolman. His main beat was Main Street from Division Street to the river.
The Court House was built in 1872 and a jail was built behind it in 1879. Before Salisbury had its own jail, prisoners had to taken to the Somerset County Jail. The single building jail was razed in 1936 and an addition was added to the Court House to house both prisoners and the sheriff.
The first official Chief of Police was appointed by Mayor Jehu T. Parsons on May 23, 1898. His name was Elijah M. Elliott. The whole force consisted of the Chief and three policemen or night watchmen. By 1907, the Chief had only two policemen on the force.
The picture above shows the entire force in 1921. Only five in the picture are policemen. They are Mayor Arthur W. Kennerly, Chief of Police Woodland Disharoon, George H. Williams, Fire Chief Fred A, Grier, Jr., Roland Cahall, George Sullivan and Sydney O. Furniss.
The Police Department’s first attempt to become motorized was in 1927. They purchased a motorcycle that was probably previously owned since it required repairs in early 1928. Their last attempt to utilize a motorcycle was in the 1950’s when one was purchased for use by Sgt. Paul Barnette. He rode it for many years and always led the Christmas parade. For this reason, he became known as Sgt. Santa Claus. I’m sure many can remember him roaring around town on his motorcycle.
As the City of Salisbury grew, so did the Police Department and the sheriff’s duties were confined mostly to the County. Since the city boundaries are so complex, many times the City Police and the County Sheriff’s Department have to co-ordinate their efforts in their pursuit of crime. Modern technology has made some things in crime fighting easier, but it is still a never-ending battle to keep our streets safe.
4 comments:
Paul Barnette was a great police officer! If we had more like him today, LEO's would have respect and we'd have less crime. He knew that he was a police officer and not the judge, jury and smart@## of the week. He treated people right and was very helpful. He used common sense (not much of that any more) and he followed the laws himself, that were entrusted to him to enforce. He did his job quietly and didn't need to be a media hound or seek a pat on the back. Like you know who. Shame we don't have more like him in the SPD, MSP and WCSD.
That is my grandfather and he loved his job very much. He took a great deal of pride in his work, as well as helping people in need when he was "off-duty". He loved this city and felt honored to help keep it safe. Thank you for the kind words, nice to know he was appreciated and even remembered for his work ethic. I remember him for adoring his only granddaughter, me. How lucky we all were.
I would like to add to my daughter's comments and thank "Anonymous" for the kind words about my father. Dad always worked hard at his job and was extremely proud of his service to the City of Salisbury. As a child, I can remember Dad would pick me up on Saturday and occasionally give me a ride on the back of the motorcycle around town. He was always fair...I have two speeding tickets to prove it.
Thanks,
This is anonymous. Your dad and granddad gave all the kids in the neighborhood rides up and down the street. He used to come watch us play in the field across the street. I focused more on the "officer" in my first response. The "man" was a wonderful, loving, caring man. He loved all the kids and he respected everyone, even people who did wrong. He hoped for the best in people rather than thinking the worst about them. There were two men I remember as police officers who are heads and shoulders above the rest!! Your dad/grandfather and Coulbourne Dykes. Coulbourne used to play football and catch with the kids in the neihborhood too. The Prince Street School district was lucky to have both of them. I would need a book to tell you how grateful we were to have them both.
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