History

Policing in Groveport began with the village's incorporation in 1847 when the newly formed village council appointed William James as the first marshal. Reflecting the roughness of a canal era town, the village soon passed ordinances making it unlawful to race horses, fight, brawl, quarrel, shoot guns, or otherwise disturb the peace in the village. They also built a calaboose (jail) which included a fenced in lot; where the marshal could keep any swine that he found running loose.

Early marshals were either elected or appointed to serve one or two year terms; during times of increased needs deputy marshals were appointed to assist the marshal. Many of the early marshals also served as lamp lighters and turners for the bridge over the Ohio and Erie Canal on Main Street. Marshals continued to serve Groveport in either a full or part time basis until the mid-1960's when growth in the area and at the near by Lockbourne Air Force Base led to concerns about traffic and crime in Groveport.

In 1966, Groveport abandoned its marshal system, hired Al Whipple as the village's first chief of police, hired two full time police officers, and created an auxiliary police unit. The police department continued to grow and by 1969 consisted of six full time, ten auxiliary officers, and a staff of three full-time radio dispatchers. The unit served the Village and all of Madison Township until 1972 when Madison Township formed its own police department and dispatching center.

The Groveport Police Department remained about the same size for several years, consisting of six or seven full time officers with a number of reserve officers to supplement coverage. Then in the early 1980's the sleepy village of about 2500 people experienced a dynamic growth spurt that continues today. The village annexed land and formed several large industrial complexes as well as new residential housing. Thanks to a supportive community and council, the police department was able to grow and today is a modern full service police department.

1935_marshal_schlosser-1 Descriptions can be displayed here...

1966_first_police_chief_al_whipple-2

1967swearing_in-3

1969_sgt_george_nance-4

1987_police-5

2001_police-7

patches-8

cruiser_1981_malibu_brown_and_white-9

cruiser_1987_brownwhite_gran_fury-10

cruiser_1991_chevy_caprice-11

cruiser_1992-12

2000_whipple_adams-13

The Groveport Police Department is currently working to collect pictures and other memorabilia from our past for display. If anyone has any items they would care to contribute, please contact us at 614 836-5301.

Marshals and Chiefs of Police for the City of Groveport