The following summary of the Wisconsin Rapids Police Department's history was originally prepared by retired Inspector of Operations, Donald J Knuth.

WISCONSIN RAPIDS POLICE CHIEFS
(name & date)

• James D. Gibson, 1900, 1904 - 1906, 1910 - 1917
• John Garihee, 1901 - 1903
• J.T. Welch, 1907 - 1909
• Roland S. "Todd" Payne, 1917 - 1939
• Rudolph J. Exner, 1939 - 1971
• Allen L. Spencer, 1971 - 1988
• Robert A. Ziegert, 1988 - 1998
• Paul E. Welch, 1998 - 2005
• Kurt D. Heuer,  2005 - Present

Grand Rapids, Wisconsin was incorporated as a city on April 6th, 1868. The city included the area lying on the eastern side of the Wisconsin River, which is now the city of Wisconsin Rapids. On April 13th, 1869, Grand Rapids held its first council meeting. At this time, lumbering had been the only product of the Grand Rapids area. In the springtime, while the waters were high, pine boards were floated in large rafts down river to markets. A gradual end to lumber rafting came in 1872, at which time the railroads began to service the area.

Another settlement located on the western bank, Centralia, was incorporated as a city on April 18th, 1874. This city developed around sawmills and woodworking plants. The first wood pulp mill on the Wisconsin River, "The Pioneer Pulp Company," was started in Centralia around 1884. The first paper mill on the river, "The Centralia Waterpower and Paper Company", was started three years later, and hence, the birth of the "Wisconsin River Valley" paper industry. In 1902, "The Consolidated Waterpower Company" was organized to consolidate several of the water power facilities of the Grand Rapids-Centralia area. The company later turned its efforts toward papermaking, resulting in the birth of "Consolidated Papers, Inc".

Grand Rapids and Centralia each had a City Marshal and a Night Watchman. City Marshals were elected every year in both cities, as well as other city officials. On March 13th, 1897, Grand Rapids passed an ordinance that provided for the appointment of a Chief and other city officials, and Police Officers were then confirmed by the Common Council.

Soon the two cities consolidated into one city. This city was named Grand Rapids and B.R. Goggins became the first mayor. The new council convened on April 17th, 1890, with a population of 4,493. On this date, James D. Gibson was appointed the first Chief of Police at the city council meeting. Prior to this appointment, Chief Gibson had served as the City Marshal of Centralia for four years beginning May 1st, 1896. At this same council meeting, the titles of City Marshal and Night Watchman were changed to Day Police and Night Police. These positions were appointed to James Howlett (Day Police) and John Garihee (Night Police). A salary was also established at this council meeting. The Chief of Police would receive $30.00 per month, while the Day and Night Police would receive $25.00 per month. Following the consolidation of the two cities, the Grand Rapids Police Chief was appointed each year after elections of the city officials. From 1901 until 1910, the Chief of Police positions had been filled by James D. Gibson, John Garihee, and J.T. Welch. This practice continued for several years, until the Civil Service was inaugurated in 1910. At this time, the "Police and Fire Commission" was established, and James D. Gibson received the permanent appointment as Chief of Police.

In the early 1900's, there was no "vacation help" or clerical help, and "Police Headquarters" was highly inadequate. However, Grand Rapids had some quarters in their municipal building, which was located at the intersection of Baker and Market Streets, and Centralia had some space in the rear of their city hall. In addition, a small brick building adjacent to the city hall helped serve as a "lockup," which was also called a "calaboose" during this time.

In 1917, Chief Gibson retired and Roland S. "Todd" Payne was appointed to Chief of Police. It was in this year that City Hall was built at 441 West Grand Avenue, just in front of the old city hall. This new city hall included a jail facility in the basement, which measured 15 ft. X 30 ft. in size, and was quite modern for its time. It included four individual cells and a bull pen area in which prisoners could walk around freely, if not confined to a cell. The city jail was used for overnight "lodgers".

Older officers have told several stories about the jail. One story was passed down by a retired Captain of the Wisconsin Rapids Police Department, Leonard "Ole" Olson. He disclosed that during the depression days of the 1930's hobos and other transients posed a "whale of a problem". "Ole" recalled that the police department often had between thirty and thirty-five "bos" locked up at once. "We'd cook coffee for them over a stove in the basement of the city hall, and feed them Hoover round steak (ring bologna)". He also remembered one winter night when the city hall was overflowing with hobos. "Ole" built up the fire in the city hall furnace, and then left to "walk the beat" without first checking the fire. When "Ole" returned, the basement of the city hall was filled with steam from the furnace heaters. The "bos" were gasping for air, trying to stick their heads out the windows. They really thought the day of judgment was upon them, and for some reason or another, they kept clear of Wisconsin Rapids for a long time thereafter.

Chief Payne served as Chief of Police until his death on November 10th, 1939, while in the line duty. As a result, Rudolph L. Exner was appointed Chief of Police on November 22, 1939. Chief Exner served in this position until his retirement on June 1st, 1971, when Allen L. Spencer was appointed the new Chief of Police. He served until his retirement on January 10th, 1988.

TRANSPORTATION

Transportation of officers to answer complaints posed quite a problem in the earlier years of the department. Prior to the purchase of its first vehicle, officers often used their own personal cars as squad cars, with no reimbursement. In addition, "The Yellow Cab Company" was often called on for various aid, such as the transportation of officers to accident scenes, to answer residential complaints, and to transport drunks.

The first motorized equipment obtained by the department was a motorcycle sidecar unit, which was purchased in the mid-1920's. At the time, no officer could ride a solo machine. It wasn't until 1931, when the sidecar machine was traded in for two new Harley-Davidson solo machines. These sidecar machines were traded in again in 1934 and 1939. The two 1939 solo machines were traded in for a three-wheel Harley Davidson Servi-Car model in 1946. The motorcycle era came to an end in 1966 when the three-wheel was traded in for a Mercury Comet, a compact-sized automobile. Prior to the purchase of this first squad car, officers found it necessary to haul drunks on the back of their motorcycles.

For many years, the community ambulance service was being furnished by local funeral homes, using their funeral coaches for emergency purposes. Later, a 1938 LaFayette, referred to as "Police-Ambulance car" by its manufacturer, was put into service. This car was equipped with two spotlights, as well as a siren-red light combination above the windshield. In addition, the rear back seat could be lowered flat for ambulance duty. The ambulance service was rendered by the police department until 1940, when the city purchased a new Packard ambulance for the fire department which was designated to operate the service.

The Police Department once again furnished ambulance service as a back up for the Fire Department for a period of time beginning in January, 1965. The auxiliary ambulance was put into service as an auxiliary ambulance-squad car. It was part of the department's squad car fleet, for use on regular patrol duty, and it was also available as a stand-by ambulance under a policy drawn up by the Police and Fire Committee. The policy stated that the car may be used as an ambulance when it is dispatched to accidents to perform police duties, and when the ranking police officer at the scene designates the transportation of victims to the hospital.

Communications

Telephones have always played an important part in law enforcement. Both East and West-side foot patrol beats had a communication base with red signal lights, which were positioned high at strategic locations. Whenever the red light was turned on, the officer in that particular beat called headquarters for a message. Prior to the employment of full-time office personnel, the Chief of Police, or any officer who may have relieved him for a time, answered the office phones. At night, and other times when there was no one working in the office, the Wood County Telephone Company operator would take the message and turn on the red light for the officer to call her to access the message. After full-time office service was inaugurated, foot patrol officers were required to phone headquarters at regular intervals. If a message was for the motorcycle officer (and later for the squad car officer), the red lights were turned on at both locations, until the officer responded.

In the early 1930's a large and powerful siren was installed on the roof of the "old city hall" to notify the motorcycle officer that there was an emergency call for him. This siren could be heard for a great distance, and upon hearing the siren, the officer would phone in and get the message. The system was also used to summon the squad car officer for ambulance service. The siren continued to be used until radio communication was installed in 1941.

Police officers throughout the state had long realized the urgency for a better communication system. Chief Payne and Officer Rudy Exner of the Wisconsin Rapids Police Department, along with other officers from around the state, appeared before a State Legislative Committee in Madison to discuss the communication problems for police.

In 1941, the Wood County Sheriff's Department united with Wisconsin Rapids Police Department to acquire their first police radio system, WJZH. Victor Nickel, a radio station engineer who had just recently completed the construction of the WFHR radio station in Wisconsin Rapids, was employed on a part-time basis to construct the police radio system. After a short time, he left the employment of WFHR, and accepted the position as the first Communication Officer of Wood County. The Wisconsin Rapids Police Department answered and transmitted all night calls for the Wood County Sheriff's Department after 10:00 P.M.. This service was rendered until 1957, at which time the Sheriff's Department initiated twenty-four hour office service.

WEAPONS

For several years, the Wisconsin Rapids Police Department has had many officers who have been interested in weapons and ammunition, as many were expert shooters. Although shots have been fired at officers throughout the years, only minor injuries have resulted. One night in the 1920's the east beat officer, Tom Foley, observed a man under suspicious circumstances in an alley between 2nd and 3rd Streets North in the downtown area. He put his flashlight beam on the subject as he approached him, and the man shot at Officer Foley, who returned fire. The man took off down the alley, and was later found dead in an area horse barn, where burglary tools were found in his possession. After that incident, Officer Foley had a trained German Shepherd with him at night to alert him of people in the alleys.

Initially, new officers were issued their weapon with little or no training. Many were poor shots because they did not have adequate facilities for target practice. Soon the "Old Armory" was used for practice, which was located on the east bank of the Wisconsin River in the 300 block of 1st Street South. After the building was destroyed by fire in the late 1930's, the officers used the 'old city hall' for practicing their aim by firing at a distance through the open doorway.

After nearly a decade of enduring this method of target practicing, progress was made. In 1947, the late John E. Alexander, who was then president of Nekoosa Edwards Paper Company, donated several acres of land to the department for the construction of a shooting range. The land was located in a low area at the rear of the Alexander Airport. The members of the police department volunteered many hours to construct one of the best outdoor firing ranges in the state (at the time for a department of its size). It remained the police department firing range, until it was moved to its current location.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

Chief Payne's daughter, Lola Ellen Payne, had worked in the office of the police department during her college summer vacations from 1926 - 1928. After graduating from Lawrence University, she was appointed and assigned full-time to clerical duty in the office. She was one of the first women to work in police service. Ms Payne was promoted to Desk Sergeant on October 5th, 1949 and she retired from that position on April 1st, 1955.

East and West-Side officers performed valuable extra service. For downtown businessmen, they rolled their show window awnings up and down each day. They also turned the display window lights on and off in the evening. Merchants paid a nominal fee for the service, which was divided evenly between each of the beat's three regular beat officers. Each of these officers, in turn, gave the relief man a dollar a month for performing this duty on their days off. Officers were also responsible for disposing of dogs and cats, prior to the onset of the Humane Society. They received a fee of $1.00 for this service. In addition, officers were required to give the written and road tests for all driving applicants, until the birth of the State of Wisconsin Drivers License Examination.

It was not until November 1st, 1961 that the department created the position of Detective. Sergeant Donald J. Knuth was appointed to it with the rank of Lieutenant. In the winter of 1966-67, Wisconsin Rapids appointed its first Drug Officer, Sergeant Allen L. Spencer. On May 1st, 1976, the department was reorganized. The Patrol and Investigative Divisions were combined as Operations Division under the command of the Inspector. At the same time, the Administrative Aide position had been created, with the rank of Lieutenant.

In the normal course of duty, police officers are called upon to perform many functions. Undoubtedly, the most controversial duty was added on March 1st, 1971, which was the assignment of fire fighting. The dual responsibility of policeman-fireman called C.P.O. (Cooperating Police Officer) requires the patrolman to be fully trained as a fireman. For a time, each patrolman carried his fire fighting equipment and clothing in a duffel bag, which he kept ready in his squad car. Upon receiving a fire alarm call, the C.P.O. would proceed to the fire scene and assume the duty of a firefighter, under the direction and command of the Fire Department. After completing his fire fighting duty, he would be allowed to go home to clean up and change his uniform, and then he would return to police duty. The C.P. O. program was fairly new at the time. One benefit was that it added additional personnel to the police department, while at the same time, it allowed for fewer necessary active fire department personnel.

The policeman is occasionally assigned to details that place him in a position of great trust and responsibility. Members of the Wisconsin Rapids Police Department were given such an assignment on November 12th, 1959, when then Vice-President Richard M. Nixon appeared in the city. He was a guest speaker at the testimonial of then Congressman Melvin R. Laird, at the Lincoln High School Fieldhouse, and stayed for the night at the Mead Inn. Secret Service Agents arrived in the city several days in advance to meet with local law enforcement officials, and to make necessary arrangements to guarantee the safety of the Vice President. Local officers were assigned the duties of official chauffeur, escort, traffic duty, and security duty.

The "Night-Rider" program was started in 1969 after an officer who was working alone, made a traffic arrest during the early morning hours. He was severely beaten on the head by two brothers who escaped only to be captured a short time later. Soon additional personnel were hired to allow for two officers to ride in each squad car during the evening and early morning hours. The "Night-Rider" program was abandoned in 1976.

The Wisconsin Rapids Auxiliary Police Unit was reorganized in 1963. Units had been previously formed during World War II, and during the Korean conflict in the early 1950's. The earlier units were primarily a civil defense unit, however, they could have been called up in the event of natural disasters.