Officers
Type: Officer Status: ok Slides: 73
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#24 — On Duty Photograph by the San Antonio Light
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Companion image to ID#1902 (l-r) Motor Officer A. Perez, Motor Officer J. Holden and Traffic Captain W. Dickman. Both officers have removed their ties and Arthur Perez is still wearing his heavy driving gloves.
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#1 SAPD - Group Photograph
Media ID 1866
Group-20476525_10213955684795980_1585774508407952448_n1.jpg
Photo crop of a posed photograph of the San Antonio Police Force. The photograph exhibits a typed ascription of "San Antonio Police Department c. 1900, on steps of the new City Hall" The police moved into the "new" City Hall in 1891-92. with a Chief Marshal, two Assistant Marshals, thirty-four foot patrolmen, four mounted officers and one detective. that is very close to the number of men in the photograph. However, the exposure window frame must remain from 1891-92 (new City Hall) to 1915 (new police building).
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#2 SAPD - Group Photograph
Image 1: Media ID 1911
Group-SAPDgrp1901.jpg
Image 2: Media ID 24530
group1901-entry-page-20260815-234312-1911.jpg
A photo crop of a torn photograph. There is a handwritten ascription " Mayor Marshall Hicks 1901" with a drawn arrow towards towards the man with the umbrella. A number of interesting items in this photograph. The woman in the front is Police Matron Elizabeth Hardie. She began her career in 1901. The young man in the front row with his hand on his umbrella is Marshall Hicks, Mayor of San Antonio, 1899-1903. The gentleman to Miss Hardie's left is James M. Van Riper who will occupy the position of City Marshal (ex. officio Chief of Police) twice (1901-1903 and in 1905) and establish a dynasty for the office with sons Charles T. Van Riper (1908-1911) and Albert O. Van Riper (1922-1925). The two men in civilian clothers to the right side in the third row are Detectives. The officers in the "stetsons" are mounted officers. The two officers at either end of the second row, wearing the flat headgear, could be court clerks for the Recorder's (municipal) Court or wagon drivers. The directory just to the right of the door explains that the police department and municipal court takes up five of the six rooms of the ground floor of City Hall. The jail is in the basement. The exposure window is framed by the completion of City Hall (1891-92) to the move to the Central Fire and Police Station (1915).
#3 SAPD - Group Photograph
Media ID 1874
Group-GrpDeptUnkJPG.jpg
Photo crop of a posed photograph taken in front of City Hall. Exposure window frame of 1891-92 (City Hall) and 1915 (Central Fire and Police Station). The patrolmen are wearing the "Metro" helmet and the mounted officers still have their stetsons. There is one officer who has the second row to himself. He is wearing a uniform, headgear and badge different from everyone else. His uniform has some type of chevron on the left arm and he appears to be well aware of that difference.
#4 SAPD - 1908
Media ID 1909
Group-SAPDgroup1908.jpg
Group photograph marked as 1908. It was taken in front of City Hall in Military Plaza. There is certainly a difference in hatpieces and the number of mounted officers has diminshed, assuming the photograph reflects the entire department.There are several different badges across the front row and different uniform coats among the officers. The "stetsons" hats in 1908 still distinguish the mounted officers.
#5 SAPD - Mounted Officers Photograph
Media ID 1878
Group-MountedL1903.jpg
Photo crop of mounted officers of the San Antonio Police Force. The photograph was taken in Military Plaza. The view is south across the plaza, taken from a point within the plaza. The 1890-91 wood block paving project is evident. The asphalt paving is seven years away. Some of the officers wear a metal hat piece, others do not.
#6 SAPD - Group Photograph
Media ID 1880
Group-PoliceGroupUnk.jpg
Photo crop of a posed group of the San Antonio Police Force standing in front of City Hall. At least one of the mounted officers is wearing a metal hatpiece, it is difficult to tell about most of the others. One of the most interesting aspects of this photograph is the evidence of just how susceptable the "Metro" caps, worn by the foot patrolman were to being shaped. Date Unknown. Exposure window must be framed by the completion of the City Hall (1891-92) to the move to the Central Fire and Police Station in 1915.
#7 SAPD - Group Photograph
Media ID 1876
Group-GrpUnk.jpg
Photo crop of a posed group photograph of the San Antonio Police Force. Taken in front of City Hall. Unknown date. The patrolmen are wearing "Metro" helmets and the uniformed mounted officers (except one) are wearing "stetsons" with metal hat pieces. Unknown date with exposure window framed by the completion of City Hall (1891-92) and completion of the Central Fire and Police Station (1915).
#8 group of people
Media ID 6904
SAPD1Folder - grp1909.jpg
Group photograph taken in 1909 of San Antonio Police Department posed in front of City Hall.
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#9 SAPD Group Photograph
Image 1: Media ID 1871
Group-groupunk.jpg
Image 2: Media ID 2039
Group-SAPD-1922-Crop_2.jpg
Photo crop of a framed photograph and one additional identical photograph from which the framed photograph was made. There is a written ascription on the one photograph identifying the date of exposure, 15 October, 1922. The ascription may or may not be hidden by the frame of the lighter photograph which also does not project the identifier of the "San Antonio Photo Service San Antonio Texas" which has been cropped out. The building in the photograph is the Central Fire and Police Station at 502 W. Market.
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#10 Panoramic photograph.
Image 1: Media ID 1948
Group-SAPDpost1914newHqsbldg.jpg
Image 2: Media ID 1872
Group-grp1915unk.jpg
Photo crop of a multi-folded panoramic photograph. Taken (almost certainly) in 1915 outside the new Central Fire and Police Station at (for the police) 502 W. Market. The building is new, the patrol (wagon) is new, the uniforms and headgear are new. The motorcycles are new and the "Emergency Car" are new. Two entirely different and necesssary types of law enforcement and law enforcment officers have recently emerged; The "Traffic Man" to control pedestrian and vehicle traffic at intersections within the urban area and the "Motorman" for the active pursuit of violators and their vehicles in the enforcement of traffic law. The extreme right portion of the panoramic is not in the crop. It is contained in ID#1872.
#11 SAPD - Detective Force
Media ID 1901
Group-SAPDdet.jpg
The detective force in front of the new Central Fire and Police Station at 502 W. Market.
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#12 SAPD - Traffic
Image 1: Media ID 1916
Group-SAPDgrptfc1927.jpg
Image 2: Media ID 24529
1929page27-entry-page-20260815-230522-1916.jpg
Posed photograph of the "Traffic Police" in 1929. Some of their responsibilities would later be carrried out by officers referred to as "Corner Men." At the time of this photograph, the traffic uniform is distinctive from the patrolman in the badge, jacket style and headgear. The two seated officers from the left are wearing the older plate badge of a patrolman. while the Sergeant is wearing the traffic badge. The Captain is wearing a badge that distinguished his rank.
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#13 SAPD - Traffic Police
Image 1: Media ID 1875
Group-GrpTrfcUnk.jpg
Image 2: Media ID 24535
1929page27-entry-page-20260820-041922-1875.jpg
These two photos were taken in front of the Central Fire and Police Station at 502 W. Market in 1929. The two photos were taken within minutes of each other. One being much more formal than the other.
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#14 SAPD Mounted Officers - 1929
Image 1: Media ID 1939
Group-SAPDmotormen1929.jpg
Image 2: Media ID 24526
1929page25-entry-page-20260813-223243-1939.jpg
Mounted (motorcycle) Officers. Taken in 1929 at the Central fire and Police Station, 502 W. Market. Their badges and uniforms were distinct from patrol. The 2nd image is simply a change in the pose. The seating is the same.
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#15 SAPD - Mounted (Motor) Officers
Image 1: Media ID 1922
Group-SAPDgrptrfc.jpg
Image 2: Media ID 24536
1929page31-entry-page-20260821-205231-1922.jpg
Photograph of the mounted (motor) contingent of the force. Posed in front of the Municipal Auditorium (1926). Unknown date.
#16 SAPD "Motormen"
Media ID 1884
Group-SAPD1928.jpg
Photo crop of SAPD "motormen" posed in front of the Municipal Auditorium. unknown date. Cropped from #1922.
#17 SAFD Hose Company No. 10.
Media ID 1926
Group-SAPDgrpunk_2.jpg
Posed photograph of Hose Company No. 10 with a Uniformed Police Officer. Has to be prior to 1915 as a different uniform and headgear was introduced.
#18 Group photograph.
Media ID 1954
Group-SAPD-SAFD1914Ca.jpg
Unknown location. Unknown date. Group photograph of four firemen and a police officer. There was a change in police uniforms and headgear in 1915.
#19 Street scene with officers.
Media ID 1953
Group-SAPDrubleCfarleyT.jpg
Street Scene. Sgt T. Farley and Officer C. Ruble, posed on street in front of marked patrol vehicle (1951 Chevrolet) equipped with overhead light, at the SE corner of Market and Main Plaza.
#20 Street Scene.
Media ID 1934
Group-SAPDmainplzaunkoff.jpg
Companion photograph to ID#1953. Taken in front of 124 Main Plaza.
#21 SAPD Pistol Team
Media ID 1950
Group-SAPDpt1960.jpg
SAPD pistol Team at Camp Perry. August 1960
#22 Firing Range
Media ID 1951
Group-SAPDrange1959.jpg
Firing range. Training in the basement of the Central Fire and Police Station, 502 W. Market.
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#23 On duty photograph by the San Antonio Light
Image 1: Media ID 1902
Group-SAPDdickmanWCJjstieJLperezAhaynieCCholdenJ.jpg
Image 2: Media ID 24531
1937aug10pg3photostrikeons-entry-page-20260816-230300-1902.jpg
Photo from San Antonio Light of 10 August 1938 (Image 2). Companion photograph to ID#1945. (l-r) Motor Officer A. Perez, Motor Officer J. Holden. Cpt W. Dickman, Motor Officer J.L. Justi and Motor Officer C.C. Haynie.
#24 On Duty Photograph by the San Antonio Light
Media ID 1945
Group-SAPDperezAholdenJdickmanW.jpg
Companion image to ID#1902 (l-r) Motor Officer A. Perez, Motor Officer J. Holden and Traffic Captain W. Dickman. Both officers have removed their ties and Arthur Perez is still wearing his heavy driving gloves.
#25 Traffic Unit.
Media ID 1960
Group-SAPDtfcandmotormen1950s.jpg
Traffic officers grouped on Yturri Street at the rear of the Central Fire and Police Station, 502 W. Market. All are wearing white hats. All of the motor men are wearing boots and bow ties. None are wearing a "Sam Brown" (cross strap).
#26 SAPD Motor Officers
Media ID 1937
Group-SAPDmcgrp1949b.jpg
SAPD motor officers assembled in front of the Municipal Auditorium. This photo is a crop of ID#1936. The second of three.
#27 SAPD Motor Officers
Media ID 1936
Group-SAPDmcgrp1949.jpg
Motor Unit assembled in front of the Municipal Auditorium. The first of three.
#28 SAPD Motor Officers
Media ID 1935
Group-SAPDmc1949.jpg
SAPD Motormen posed in front of the Municiple Auditorium in 1949. The third of three.
#29 SAPD at the National Matches.
Media ID 1938
Group-SAPDmilsteadAS.jpg
Lieutenant A. Milstead, at Camp Perry, Ohio. one of the national matches.
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#30 SAPD Inspection
Image 1: Media ID 1932
Group-SAPDinsp.jpg
Image 2: Media ID 24527
1939may07pg10photopolinspeconscrp-entry-page-20260815-002309-1932.jpg
SAPD inspected by the Chairman of the Civil Service Board. 7 May 1939.
#31 SAPD - group photograph
Media ID 1930
Group-SAPDgrpunksubstation.jpg
Group photograph. Two from traffic (white hats), Two from patrol. One of each weaing their "Sam Browns" (cross strap). Unknown location. Unknown date.
#32 SAPD - group photograph
Media ID 1928
Group-SAPDgrpunkHqs.jpg
Group photograph taken in "front" of the Police entrance (502 W. Market) of the Central Fire And Police Station. Unknown date. All are wearing the "Sam Brown" (cross strap).
#33 SAPD - Inspection.
Media ID 1927
Group-SAPDgrpunk1994.jpg
SAPD inspection photograph. Unknown location. unknown date.
#34 Safety Information Bureau - 1958
Media ID 1957
Group-SAPDsftyInfobureau1958.jpg
Summery and photograph contained in the 1958 Annual Report: Safety and Information Bureau: Driver-education courses, fleet safety programs, trafic safety programs, school safety surveys and dissemination of informatin to interested organizations and public information outlets. Organizes, instructs and supervises the activities of the adult school crossing guards and student safety patrols in traffic safety. Sgt. J. Munoz (top left) Ptrlm. B. Buckner (top right) Lt. W.D. Worthy (bottom left) Ptrlm. J. Honhorst (bottom right).
#35 SAPD - Inspection
Media ID 1925
Group-sapdgrpunk.jpg
SAPD inspection being held on Dolorosa Street, just east of the rear doorway into the Headquarters and Detectives Building at 102 Dwyer. Unknown date prior to 1962.
#36 SAPD - Traffic shift.
Media ID 1924
Group-SAPDgrptrfc1950s.jpg
A badly focused photograph of a traffic (corner man) shift. Taken at the rear of the Central Fire and Police Station (502 W. Market) facing Yturri Street. Unknown date. Only one officer is wearing a "Sam Brown" (cross strap).
#37 SAPD - Traffic
Media ID 1921
Group-SAPDgrptrcunk.jpg
Posed photograph of the SAPD Traffic (motor) unit. Taken in front of the Alamo. The motor officers are wearing protective headgear and a "Sam Brown" (cross Strap). The "corner Men" just behind them are also wearing a cross strap. I would estimate the photograph as having been taken in the late 1950s to early 1960s.
#38 SAPD - Traffic
Media ID 1919
Group-SAPDgrptfkunk.jpg
This photograph would seem to have been taken at the same event as ID#1921 above.
#39 SAPD - Traffic
Media ID 1918
Group-SAPDgrptfcunk.jpg
This photograph would seem to have been taken at the same event as ID#1921 and ID#1919. The traffic men assigned to automobiles are the front row. At least one of the officers is wearing his "Sam Brown" over his epaulet.
#40 SAPD - Group
Media ID 1915
Group-SAPDGrpMoD1959.jpg
A posed photograph having to do with the annual "March of Dimes."
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#41 Records unit
Image 1: Media ID 1912
Group-SAPDgrp1942.jpg
Image 2: Media ID 24532
1939nov8pg13c8photopetticoatsquad-entry-page-20260819-000041-1912.jpg
Image 3: Media ID 24533
1939nov7pg1c1girlsquaddutieslimited-entry-page-20260819-000121-1912.jpg
Image 4: Media ID 24534
1939sep19pg11c6photogirlshired-entry-page-20260819-000212-1912.jpg
Civilian employess of the Records section. Hired in 1939. Referred to by the press as the "Petticoat Squad"
#42 SAPD - Patrol shift.
Media ID 1966
Group-SAPDunkGrp.jpg
SAPD - Appears to be a patrol shift. Taken on Yturri Street, at the rear of the Central Fire and Police Station, 502 W. Market, After 1939, prior to 1962.
#43 SAPD Foot Patrol
Media ID 1906
Group-SAPDfootpatrol80s.jpg
This photograph is marked "Foot Patrol 1980s." Taken in front of the Alamo.
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#44 SAPD Female Officers - 1929
Image 1: Media ID 1905
Group-SAPDfemofficers1929.jpg
Image 2: Media ID 24528
1929page35crp-entry-page-20260815-021109-1905.jpg
The use of female officers did not last long. There were several during the WWI years, then they were gone. Political and social pressure brought them back but the Great Depression caused them to disappear again. They would slowly return beginning in the 1950s and through the 1970s. Eventually the department adjusted to their presence on patrol.
#45 Personal photograph.
Media ID 1899
Group-SAPDclementsJmitchelSunk.jpg
Photo crop of three SAPD patrol officers. Unknown date or location. (lr) J. Clements, S. Mitchel, Unknown.
#46 SAPD Pistol Team
Media ID 1895
Group-SAPDcampperry1931a.jpg
Photo crop of a newspaper article. The pistol team's return trip by automobile from Camp Perry will result in a tragic accident. Lt Milstead and Detective Alex Goodman will be killed. Detective Homor Long will be severly injured.
#47 SAPD - Cadets
Media ID 1893
Group-SAPDcadets081942L3008BGaroniJCcarpenterRUberlangerClongMBcoblentzWF.jpg
Photo crop of a posed group of police cadets from a 1942 class. (l-r) J. C. Garoni, R. Carpenter, C. Uberlanger, M. B. Long, W.F. Coblentz.
#48 SAPD Band
Media ID 1891
Group-SAPDbandunk.jpg
Members of the police band. unknown date or location.
#49 SAPD Band
Media ID 1890
Group-SAPDband.jpg
SAPD band on stage. Unknown date or location.
#50 SAPD - Strike Breaking Activity
Media ID 1887
Group-SAPD04261937L1541M.jpg
SAPD massing on steps of City Hall prior to strike breaking activity against the Workers Alliance. Summer of 1937.
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