Recollections from the Historian St. Louis County, MO Police Department by

Jerry Hawkins (Ret.), DSN 591

Recently I had the pleasure of interviewing Jim Albrecht who joined the County Police on November 15, 1955 and was issued badge number 79. He had left the Railway Express Co. where he loaded freight cars receiving a $50 a month pay raise in doing so. His first assignment was the complaint desk at 9 N Meramec (HQs) until March 1956 when he transferred to the 3rd Precinct based in the Briggs Automotive front office. Next, off to the 2nd Precinct based at Hecht's Garage at Lindbergh and Olive. In April 1957 he went to Detective Bureau. In November 1958 back to the 2nd Precinct until July 1959. Major Pete Vasel brought him back to the Bureau until November 1962. Soon back to the 2nd Precinct; however, in 1965 back to the Detective Bureau again!

Jim was promoted to Sergeant in 1965 and experienced assignments in this order: 2nd Precinct, 1st Precinct, Internal Affairs, 1st Precinct, next to the 3rd Precinct, Identification Bureau, and finally back to the 2nd Precinct where he worked until retirement in March 1991 at age 57. Jim was a self-proclaimed non-conformist who was outspoken and never reluctant to express his opinion. This could explain the reason for so many transfers often called “'geography lessons” or “career enhancements.”

On a more personal note; I (Jerry Hawkins) worked briefly for Jim in the 1st Precinct where he chose to drive the patrol car #107 assigned to beat #107 where I was assigned and patrolled. This patrol car was a '69 Dodge Polara, 4-door hard top with a 425 hp 440 Magnum engine, complete with high-performance exhaust. It was the ultimate police pursuit vehicle. I would chide him to take care of my car when he stuck me with his paled-in-comparison Sergeant's vehicle to drive. Jim did admit giving Officer Tom Diffley, DSN 587, the nickname “Sugar Bear,” a name used to this day by the retirees. Each officer who worked for Jim liked doing so. He had a way of relating to the officers that was much appreciated and he was known for doing a great job.

After retirement Jim owned The Cedar Cafe in Washington, MO until 2003. Next, he began working at security positions until 2015. He now lives in South County with his daughter. He will celebrate his 90th birthday on October 22nd, 2023. Among the living County Police Charter members he is the youngest.

FEBRUARY, 2023

APRIL,

2023

Artman, Anthony County Council Adlon, Gerald Transportation

Bova Conti, Joseph Sheriff’s Office Baer, Jr., Robert Administration

Davis, Daniel Police Barnes, Raymond Justice Services

Enslin, Edgar IT Bond, Jeffrey Transportation

Gentry, Mark Public Works Collins-Morris, Carla Revenue

Harris, Kathy Family Court Deck, Mary Justice Services

Jackson, Louis Public Works Goeck, Ralph Transportation

Kayser, Gary Transportation Hall, Jeffrey Transportation

Marquart, Kevin Transportation Hovland, Joan Public Health

Murphy, Rebecca Police Jones, Moya Transportation

Patton, Angela Public Health Jordan, Michael Police

Schaefer, Tracy Police

Latham, Robert Transportation

Smith, Ollie Planning Maier, James Prosecuting Atty.

Wasserman, Laurence Administration Maniaci, Angela Family Court

Webb, Jack Police

Werthing, Barbara Human Services

Peachee, Jacquline Prosecuting Atty.

Poncin, Dustin Police

Wiedemann, Stephan Transportation Schneider, Reba Police

Woods, Alexis Justice Services Short, Mary Juvenile Court

Thompson, Richard Transportation

Tucker-Robinson, Debra Public Health

Wagner, Robert Transportation

Williams, Priscilla Assessor

MARCH, 2023

Beczkala, Kim Revenue

Besserman, Kim Fire Standards Commission

Blanc, Deborah Police

MAY, 2023

Corwin, Steven Police Adams, Richard Transportation

Dockery, Linda Administration Blancett, Mary Family Court

Filla, Chris IT Doyle, Troy Police

Heinicke, Paul Transportation Johnson, Tena Corrections

Menderski, Janet Parks

Meyer, Jeanne Public Health

Kolieboi, Patrick Courts

Kralemann, James Revenue

Missey, Joanne Police Marshall, James Spirit Airport

Moore, Deborah Police Michaelree, Margaret Parks

Robertson, Bryan Transportation Miller, Margo County Counselor

Tkacz, Dań

Public Health Moran, Thomas Sheriff

Sack, Steven Police Ort, Maureen Revenue

White, Vaughn Transportation Reynolds, Vicki Public Health

Sides, Sherry Board of Elections

Wall, John Police

Watson, Juanita Board of Elections

Whitfield, Linda Sheriff