Town of Ogden Police history

The farm, through which the canal passed at the Canawaugus Road, had been purchased by Daniel Spencer in 1804 and was sold off to become the first village lots.

Plimpton Avenue was part of Highbridgeville, a village that was settled around 1851 by people who worked on the Croton Aqueduct system.

On April 22, 1867 the State Legislature passed an act to incorporate Spencerport as a Village and the first elections were held with William Slayton as the first President.

The first postmistress was Sarah Lincoln who served until 1897.

By 1900 Spencerport had 3 hotels, 3 grocery stores, 2 drug stores, and 2 shoe stores.

In 1910 the Chamber of Commerce had a banquet with 100 in attendance from both Spencerport and Ogden.

During the early 1920’s all the streets in the village were paved.

Sewers were installed in 1931 and a disposal plant was built that year as well.

On February 2, 1940, the Town Board adopted rules and regulations for the Police Department.

In 1948, the Town Board purchased the first radio police car.

On December 7, 1955, The Town Board approved the appointment of Roy J. “Tink” Burley as Special Police Officer for the Town of Ogden.

On May 27, 1959, Roy Burley was appointed full time police officer after Chief Ballard passed away.

On February 2, 1965, the Town established the Ogden Police Department under the New York State Civil Service in which Roy Burley was appointed Chief of Police and was certified by the Monroe County Civil Service Law.

Condensed and compiled from portions of the book; 150 Years in Ogden – 100 Years in Spencerport by Earl E. White, published 1967.

Roy Burley retired from the police force in December 1968 and served as Ogden Town Justice.

He was replaced by Russell R. Ruhl who was hired as a full time patrolman for the Ogden Police Department in June 1969.

He tragically passed away in 1983. “Tink” is still a legend among the Town’s people today.

In June 1989, Chief Russel Ruhl retired as Chief of Police and was replaced by Merritt Rahn, who retired as a lieutenant from the Rochester Police Department.

When Merritt Rahn left to become Chief of the Greece Police Department in 1991, Christian L. Schrank was appointed Chief of Police.

Mid-Bronx Housing Development Fund Corporation (H.D.F.C.) maintained this playground until it was officially transferred to NYC Parks on October 16, 1997.