Sheboygan Police history

Paine and Colonel Oliver Crocker joined Farnsworth in 1822 and built a small saw mill and two log cabins.

From these humble beginnings, more people made their way to the “water’s edge”. In 1834, a Mr.

He purchased the land through a public sale in Green Bay in 1835 and settled in the area almost immediately.

December 7, 1836, Sheboygan County was created.

The first store was built in 1843.

Streets were laid out and the first map of Sheboygan was recorded in 1848.

The first hook and ladder fire department was formed in 1849.

The city was officially chartered in 1853 with the first Mayor being H. Conklin.

In 1854, the village of Sheboygan Falls decided to create its own police system, choosing to employ a Village Marshall, William C. Eastwood, who was elected by popular vote for a one-year term.

The main mode of transportation to get people and supplies to Sheboygan was still by boat, but in 1856, ground was broke by the Sheboygan/Mississippi Railroad Co., adding yet another way for Sheboygan to grow.

After many years of turmoil over changing from a wooden to iron 8th St bridge, a new iron one was completed in November 1881.

Many firsts happened in 1885. the first horse drawn street cars rolled down the roads, the police force was established and the beginnings of the water works took place with a total of 6 hydrants in the city.

In 1887, Sheboygan launched it largest ship, the Helena, built at the Reibolt and Wolters shipyards located on the present C. Reiss Coal Company land.

Electric street cars replaced horse drawn ones in 1895 and land was purchased for a new high school (Central Admin.

Fire destroyed Dock #1 at the C.Reiss Coal Co. in 1900.

Voting machines were first used in 1904.

The first paved street took place in 1905 from Penn.

The city purchased the city water works in 1909 and began operation.

By the time George was elected Village Marshall in 1911, Sheboygan Falls was no longer a village.

The City of Sheboygan Falls was officially recognized in 1913, prompting the creation of the first Sheboygan Falls Police Department, with a Chief of Police at its head.

Edgar George was offered and accepted the position Chief of Police in early 1914.

The office of building inspector began in 1916.

Two parks were acquired in 1917, Vollrath Park was deeded to the city and the city purchased “Cole Woods” and renamed it Evergreen Park.

Funds for Memorial Hospital were bequeathed to the city in 1928.

Fountain Park was the proposed location for a new court house site in 1932, but opposition caused a new site to be chosen.

All Water Dept. customers were metered in the city by 1933 and the next years saw tremendous growth and improvements to city sewers, pavements and curbing due to W.P.A. projects throughout the city.

That same year, 1937, the Sheboygan Falls Police Department purchased its first official squad car, a brand new Plymouth.

In 1947, the city created the Sheboygan Falls Police and Fire Commission.

The first two-way radio system was installed in squad cars in 1949.

Billmann also noted that the lengthy Kohler strike, which started in 1954 and was still ongoing as he spoke, had also been a difficult time for the force, as it tried to remain impartial in a very divided community.

By 1957, the force boasted four officers, including Chief Billmann.

“Falls Police Department Reveals Interesting History,” Unknown newspaper, June 4, 1964.

By the time Billmann retired in 1967, the force had added another two officers to its ranks.

For his efforts Detective MacAleese was named one of the people in the 1970's who changed the face of the United States and was also named the country's Police officer of the Year.

In 1974, a gunman killed three before taking his own life on the 600 block of Pine Street.

When a young college student, Michael Carmen, was shot to death during a robbery at an Albuquerque, New Mexico gas station in July 1976, Detective Greg MacAleese had no idea who was responsible for the killing.

In 1978, the police investigated a homicide by strangulation at a residence on Forest Boulevard.

In 1989, the Sheboygan Falls Police Department purchased its first computer and began maintaining electronic records.

Sheboygan Countywide Crime Stoppers was organized in 1999 with the help of the Sheriff, Loni Koenig, and several community policing officers throughout Sheboygan County.

In addition to the National Night Out event, beginning in 2007, the Crime Stoppers organization has helped to increase the public's awareness of the organizations and equipment used in crime prevention and public safety through a Crime Prevention and Safety Fair.

In 2012, the Crime Stoppers organization launched additional methods of providing anonymous tips through the use of text messages, smart phone apps, and web tips.