POLICE DEPARTMENT HISTORY - page 6

NOTE: C.M. Lynch, Street Superintendent for the Town, is appointed acting Chief of Police on October 23rd, 1939 until Chief C.B. Justice is able to resume his duties. According to the Town Minutes, a man by the name of Norman Wilkie (who is a member of the Rutherfordton Fire Department) is the driver of a car that hits Chief of Police C.B. Justice badly injuring him. On February 5th, 1940, Norman Wilkie is suspended from the Fire Department pending an investigation into the accident. C.M. Lynch is the last person sworn in as "Town Marshal."

NOTE: K.H. McEntire is appointed special "Plain Clothes" officer for the Town of Rutherfordton on August 19th, 1940. It is the first time the term "Plain Clothes" officer is used in the Town minutes.

C.B. Justice, Chief of Police, and H.C. Wright, Policeman are re-elected by the Board on June 2nd, 1941.

NOTE: On December 15th, 1941 (eight days after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor in Hawaii) the following is put into the minutes. "On motion of Councilman Dunagan seconded by Councilman Yelton, Chief of Police C.B. Justice was put in full charge of the defense and protection of the town for the duration of the war with the axis powers."

NOTE: On February 16th, 1942 the Town Board voted to purchase "one sub-machine gun for use by the Police Department."

C.B. Justice, Chief of Police and H.C. Wright, Night Policeman are re-appointed by the Commissioners on May 5th, 1943.

NOTE: C.B. Justice is Chief of Police when the Town Board ordered that "Southern Bell Telephone Company be requested to put a telephone in the entrance of the McRorie Building, for the use of the Police Department" on February 21st, 1944.

Chief Baylus Justice, 1943 - 1944

H.C. Wright is voted by the Commissioners, to act as Chief of Police on March 25th, 1944.

Hubert Hodge is paid by Town Board $15.00 per week, on April 3rd, 1944, for the time he acted as Police Chief.

J.W. Bridges is appointed Chief of Police and Deputy Tax Collector on August 7th, 1944.

Chief Wayne Bridges, 1944 - 1948