GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Old newspaper clippings, give a glimpse into the long-standing history of the Green Bay Police Department.
The department which was founded on August 27, 1857, celebrated it’s 160th birthday Sunday.
It is working to put together a “history book,” highlighting memories over the years.
“By looking at our past, it allows us to look forward, and look where we’re going as an organization,” said Lt. Jody Buth.
Sifting through old scrap books, Buth who is coordinating the project, tells WLUK it’s been quite the task.
“The original intention was to have it done for today, the 160th anniversary of the Green Bay Police Department, but as we got along it’s probably going to be the 170th.” Buth says the scrap books, date back to 1937, under Police Chief Thomas Hawley.
“He had tasked his records division, every morning they read the press gazette, cut out articles the Green Bay Police Department was mentioned in, they would do this, and put them in these scrap books.”
Chief Hawley holds the title in the Guinness Book of World Records, as the longest serving police chief on record at 49 years. From newspaper clippings, to photos….each little piece of history shows how the agency has progressed over the years.
Buth says the opportunity to walk back in time has given him a sense of pride, “Because you look back at all the great work that a lot of the officers have done over the years.”
Looking ahead to the next 100 years, he says times may change, but their commitment to protect and serve remains the same.
Once the book is complete, the department plans to make it available to the public.
