Marshals & Police Chiefs

Since 1903 Milwaukie has been served faithfully by municipal law enforcement, first by the Office of the Marshal and then by an organized Police Department.

In the first 14 years 16 volunteer Marshals were elected or appointed by the City Council, including two who served as Marshal twice and two that would also serve as Police Chief.  Notable among these early law men was Jesse A. Keck, a reliable public servant for decades who served twice as Marshal (1903 and 1908-1909), twice as City Recorder (1903-1905 and 1910-1911), and served as Police Chief for over a decade (1921-1934).

In 1917 the City formally organized the Police Department and hired Sam Riley, who had also been Marshal, as the first paid Police Chief.  The first department staff included the Chief and two other officers.  Since then the department has grown as the city has grown and moved from offices at City Hall in the 1930's, to a renovated house in the 1970's and 1980's, and finally in 1994 to it's current location at the Public Safety Building.

To-date the only officer lost in the line of duty was Sergeant James Henry Worell, a five year veteran of the Milwaukie Police Department, who was overcome by carbon monoxide fumes while seated in his patrol car at City Hall.  In appreciation of Sergeant Worell's service the City Council adopted Resolution 1-1954 (see supporting documents).

Marshals and Police Chiefs of the Town and City of Milwaukie since Incorporation

For more information on Milwaukie law enforcement visit the Police Department page.